In my work as an advisor with many start-up entrepreneurs I see first hand, coffee shop owners are constantly being pitched the next best thing in tech, and the ROI isn’t always as clear as it needs to be… but I’ve come to agree that a mobile ordering app isn’t one of those things. Launching a mobile ordering app is …
Do Independent Coffee Shops Actually Need a Mobile Ordering App? Read More »
Over the past few years, mushroom coffee has moved from fringe curiosity to mainstream menu item. Customers are asking about Lion’s Mane and functional mushrooms more and more. They’re curious about adaptogens. They want focus, clarity, and balance—without giving up the ritual and pleasure of great coffee. But for many specialty coffee shops, the current …
2025 has brought rapid change and new challenges for coffee shops everywhere. At Bellissimo Coffee Advisors, our goal is to help operators navigate this evolving landscape with clarity and confidence—offering grounded, experienced guidance from a supportive, industry-neutral perspective. Running a café today isn’t just about pulling great espresso shots, it’s about managing time, consistency, and …
Cold Brew Concentrate: Rethinking Speed, Efficiency, and Versatility in the Modern Café Read More »
In the fiercely competitive world of specialty coffee, branding isn’t just for big roasters. For small to medium-sized cafés, creating a white label coffee program—where you offer custom-branded bags of beans roasted by a trusted partner—can be a smart, scalable way to stand out and grow. Here’s why it’s worth considering: 1. Build Brand Loyalty …
Benefits of a White Label Coffee Program for your business? – Part 1 Read More »
Once you’ve hired the right person, how do you develop them into a good employee? There are some basic philosophies about Management Skills that all coffee shop owners need to understand. The first thing you need to realize is: the strong-arm style of management just doesn’t work! If you declare yourself supreme tyrant, if you are …
So, you want to learn How To Start a Coffee Business If you’re going to spend any amount of money and you’ll need to protect that investment by being as well-educated as possible about every aspect of the business. You will want to learn how to be the best barista in order to serve a …
It was the winter of 1993 and I was 15 minutes late to work, opening shift at the small espresso cart I worked at part-time located in front of a large grocery store. It was cold out, but I was eager to start working. I loved that little cart. This was my first job as …
For all of you shop owners and managers out there, it is important to understand the responsibilities of coffee shop hiring – ie. finding a great barista, a great supervisor, or manager to work in your operation. Your employees will be making all of your beverages and food items. You must hire people who share …
Investing In Your Baristas: Hiring & Training A Great Team Read More »
Turnover in employees in the service industry can be quite high, but the right questions can help you find a good, lasting fit for your team. Whether you’re hiring for a leadership position or entry level, these interview questions will help make the hiring process go smoothly, quickly, and efficiently: Phone Screening Questions Are the …
Interview Questions for the Specialty Coffee Industry Read More »
Folklore Coffee Conrad, MT In 2013 my wife and I had been living in Eastern Africa for 2 years and were preparing to come back to the states. For months we had been planning and dreaming about starting a coffee shop in one of our hometowns in rural Montana. I had worked in coffee growing …