I want to know how big a caf? should? be in order for it to provide about 50 tables (max 3 people per table). I v? Rifi? several places to get a quote for me but I am still unable to find a good #. Please be the t help! Thank you!
Tags: Coffee, feet, hold, House, many, should, square, tables
I think it is reasonable to require 45 s.f. per table (includes space between tables but lined up like a mess hall) plus space behind the counter, entry ways and bathrooms. I estimate on the lowest end 5500 s.f. with a more realistic amount around 7000 s.f. There are companies out there that actually do this sort of thing by helping you plan your use of commercial space by drawing it out.
I can’t say I have seen a 50 table coffee house before. The majority I have seen have less than 20
YOU better be in a very hot area; hot meaing busy; 50 tables
is a large space; lots of rent or mortgage.
I would think you would want maybe 1/2 that many
Obviously this will depend on the size of the tables, but you also have to consider local fire codes. This article suggests the dining area would have to be at least 5,400 sq feet to get a fire marshal to grant an occupancy permit to have 150 people in the dining area.
Can widely vary … reason you’re getting no satisfying answer is there is no satisfying answer to this question. Depends on many things … how much room do you want customers/clients to have ? Do you want them jammed in like sardines ? Would you frequent a coffee shop that treated you that way ?
Besides that, unless you are offering many additional services … like say a bar or restaurant. ( edit: even then you dont want to, unless you are a marketing scientist who can keep those tables full, or donald trumps daughter, or someone who can afford to eat big time money, covering your losses. Which would be SUBSTANTIAL. )
You dont want to carry the cost of accommodating dozens of tables. You want them to order something … get it and leave. All that sq footage adds to overhead in a thousand ways.
You’d be looking at huge leasing costs … or millions in construction costs … if you were actually going to develop a piece of property … easily 100’s of 1,000’s if you were just planning to renovate something that could seat 150.
Bare minimum of sq ft. would depend on the legal regulations in your area … So you would have to contact the appropriate authority in your area and ask for that info. Maximum occupancy, safety requirements … probably inspections etc.
Bigger isnt always better, esp for a new business starting out. How many coffee shops do you see with 150 people sitting around ? Model yourself after starbucks … they dont call them star BUCKS for nothing … they know what they’re doing. If you want to make it more personal … then adapt the basic underlining realities that studying starbucks will est for you.
Zoning ordinances generally specify occupancy limits! First be sure you’d get your Certificate of Occupancy for 150 or more people. That’s huge for a coffee house. Check with your attorney on all the zoning requirements, permits & licenses you will need, how to apply, costs, etc.
For a small rectangular table (2-seater), plus chairs, plus space to get around the table, I’m guestimating no less than 20 sq ft per table, times 50 = 1000 sf, plus service area + kitchen/prep area + storage area + lavatories. Bet you’ll end up needing 2500-3000 sf (or more?).