Watermark Coffee Technology

Some business and industry basics.

• The secret of a successful coffee houses is repeat business. Get the same customers in every day and you’re well on your way to success.
• Customers rarely complain, they just go elsewhere
• If you serve bad coffee, you’ll soon lose ground to competitors — cafes and coffee-to-go outlets can be easily set up in a diverse range of venues.
• People are price sensitive — charge a fair price for your coffee. Try not to get carried away with what Starbucks are doing!
• The cost difference in producing a quality coffee and a poor coffee is small. The cost of losing a customer’s business is significantly higher.
• Beware of second-hand machines — they often have some build-up of limescale, which can lead to big service bills, persistent downtime and poor quality coffee, if not dealt with correctly. If you have to buy second-hand, make sure you get a warranty.
• If possible, don’t set up on a shoestring. It’s tempting, but you’ll more than likely lose money, and miss the opportunity to make a good first impression.
• You should be in the shop yourself as much as you can — taste the coffee every day.
• Get your coffee machine serviced regularly – don’t wait until in stops working. Plan to stay in business, plan to keep your customers, plan your maintenance!