Religious Coffeeshop Business Plan

Beverages and Baked Goods

Inspirational Grounds sells quality freshly roasted coffee, specialty beverages, and beverage related items to the discriminating coffee drinker. The beverages are made by trained staff members who know the products and make recommendations to customers.

The coffee varietals, teas, and other beverages items are supplied by Espresso Services, Inc and delivered within 24 hours. The roasting of the green beans will take place on-site for the freshest product possible. Owner will rely on customers and employees to shorten the communication and feedback loop in product and service offerings.

Inspirational Grounds will offer custom roasting services to our customers. Customers will be able to order selected coffee varietals roasted to order for enjoyment in their homes or offices. These custom roasted coffees will create a unique experience for our customer, and allow them to further their specialty coffee knowledge.

Books and Music

Containing Christian, uplifting, and life-affirming messages will be sold to complete the ambiance and community centered feel of the store.

3.1 Product Description

Inspirational Grounds sells the entire array of coffee and espresso-based drinks,specialty drinks, and bakery items, as well as music and books geared toward the spiritual reader.

Specialty Coffees
The primary product of Inspirational Grounds is the specialty coffee. Several unique blends will be micro roasted for daily serving or specially roasted to order at our customers’ request which will give our customers the variety they seek. These coffee blends include: Columbia Supremo, Tanzanian Peaberry, Jamaican Blue Mountain, Guatemalan Antigua, Costa Rican Tarrazu, Sumatra Mandheling, and Ethiopian Yaefacheffe. Other blends and decaffeinated coffee will be offered as well.

Espresso & Coffee Drinks

The Straight Shot – The foundation of every espresso beverage; served in a demitasse, when consumed alone.

Espresso Macchiato – Espresso served in a demitasse with a small amount of foamed milk on top

Espresso Con Panna – Variation of the Macchiato substituting whipped cream in place of the foamed milk.

Caffé Americano – A single or double shot of espresso is combined with hot water from the espresso machine. This produces a smoother and fresher (as well as hotter) cup of coffee than conventional brewing.

Cappuccino – Espresso mixed with foamed milk upon the pour; can be garnished with shaved chocolate.

Caffé Latte – Espresso mixed with steamed milk, and topped with foamed milk; can be garnished with shaved chocolate.

Mocha – Espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate syrup, usually topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

The Breve – An extra rich Caffe’ Latte made with half & half instead of milk.

Café Au Lait – Drip coffee with steamed milk added and topped with foamed milk.

Flavor-Based Drinks
Hot Chocolate and Steamers – These drinks are made like lattes and mochas without the addition of coffee. Flavored syrups are added to steamed milk and may be topped with whipped cream at the customer’s request.

Italian Sodas and Creamosas – An Italian soda is a combination of flavored syrup and high quality carbonated mineral or soda water, served over ice. A creamosa is an Italian soda with heavy cream or half & half added and gently stirred to making a swirled appearance in the drink.

Granita – An Italian style granular ice drink similar to a slushy but much more dense in consistency.Granita flavors are usually coffee or fruit based

Other specialty drinks include: Gourmet hot tea, iced Tea, Chai, smoothies, blended coffee and tea-based drinks, and bottled soft drinks.

Books – The most popular titles will be stocked in limited supply. Such books as Woman, Thou are Loosed by T.D. Jakes; In Pursuit of Purpose, by Dr. Myles Munroe; Prayers That Heal The Heart, by Mark & Patti Virkler; A Fresh Word For Today, by Bob Gass; Run Baby Run, by Nicky Cruz; Morning By Morning, by Charles H. Spurgeon, and others.

Music – Inspirational Grounds will carry the finest in contemporary Christian music. Titles include Kirk Franklin; Mary Mary; Set Free; Audio Adrenaline; Yolanda Adams, and more.

Bakery Items
Inspirational Grounds will also offer its customers a variety of baked goods, including pastries, cookies, and cakes. Bread for sandwiches and buns for soup will also be secured. Negotiations with several local bakeries are now underway. Quality and consistency will be the determining factors for this decision.

3.2 Competitive Comparison

Inspirational Grounds will be unique in the vicinity. Not only will Inspirational Grounds differentiate itself from the strictly-coffee cafes by providing its customers with a theme based on sound spiritual principles, we will also be the first independently-owned, urban store to roast its own beans on-site, providing the customer with a unique experience in a welcoming environment.

3.3 Sales Literature

Inspirational Grounds will use print advertising and sales programs to get the word out to customers.

Fliers will be distributed throughout the Twin City area to chambers of commerce, tourism council offices, hotels, neighborhood stores and shops, churches, schools, and other areas one month before the grand opening.

Newspaper advertisements in Minneapolis and St. Paul, The Shepherd’s Guide, and neighborhood publications will be used to attract customers with grand opening offers, as well as 1,000 door-to-door flyers offering a free 16 oz. drink.

See attached example flier.

3.4 Sourcing

Inspirational Grounds has associated itself with the finest coffee supplier in the Twin Cities area, Espresso Services, Inc. We will bring fine coffees from all over the world to South Central Minneapolis, where residents, other Midtown tenants and passers-by can enjoy a freshly roasted quality cup of coffee, an espresso or specialty drink in an inviting and friendly atmosphere.

3.5 Technology

The technology Inspirational Grounds is dependant upon is the micro-roasting equipment it will use to roast the beans on-site. This equipment is serviced through the supplier;Espresso Services, Inc.

Inspirational Grounds will also use our website to advertise specials and events, and to post the monthly menu and talent offerings. We will use email to communicate with customers wishing to sign-up for email specials. Eventually, we would like to institute online ordering for roasted coffee and specialty merchandise, but that plan is at least two years off.

The Point of Sale (POS) technology Inspirational Grounds will use allows for order taking when the lines are long, keeps customer discount information, inventory, and revenue/profit information. The system has a battery back-up in case of power surges and temporary power losses.

The Inspirational Grounds’ logo will be Federally Trademarked. Although the beverages will not be protected in content, beverage names for specialty drinks reflecting the theme of the shop will be protected under the Federal Trademark laws.

The security system Inspirational Grounds uses will protect the contents of the store and reduce insurance premiums.

3.6 Future Products

As Inspirational Grounds grows, more features will be added to the existing store. A key part of this is the addition of live entertainment. This entertainment will be in the form of Jazz singers, poetry readings, Comedy for the King, motivational speakers, and Christian musical Artists.

Food items will be added to the menu of offerings. The soup will be made fresh daily, one kind per week. The soups are: Chicken Noodle, Minestrone, Clam Chowder, Vegetable Beef, Vegetable, Chicken and Rice, and Wild rice. Sandwiches are made to order and include deli favorites such as herbed turkey, egg salad, tuna salad, roast beef, corned beef, and turkey. A variety of condiments will also be available. Inspirational Grounds will obtain deli meats from Costco. The salad sandwiches will be made fresh on-site.

Inspirational Grounds will establish itself as the destination for non-secular and motivational entertainment. We also envision adding meeting rooms, hosting receptions, and adding small devotional rooms for private reflection. The meeting rooms will be perfect for small business and non-profit organizations with limited office space. Coffee and pastries will be served to ensure a successful atmosphere for business. Inspirational Grounds will also be available for private receptions, such as birthday parties, anniversaries, or showers. Customer provided catering will go a long way to ensure the guests’ parties are successful. The devotional rooms will be wired for individual music selection, equipped with one-way TV cameras, and furnished with a comfortable chair and table.

These additions complete the vision for Inspirational Grounds, and provide its customers with a place for socialization, relaxation, and reflection.