Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Coffee Business Consulting & Advisory Services
Who do you work with?
I work with entrepreneurs, coffee shop owners, roasters, multi-unit operators, investors, and hospitality groups looking to launch, grow, or improve a coffee business. Whether you’re opening your first café, adding coffee to an existing concept, developing a drive-thru, or scaling toward multiple locations, I provide practical guidance based on real-world experience.
What makes your consulting different?
Most consultants offer advice. I offer experience.
Over the past 25+ years, I’ve launched, scaled, and sold businesses in the specialty coffee industry. I’ve built coffee shops, wholesale programs, training systems, product lines, and brands from the ground up.
My role isn’t to tell you what to do. My role is to help you avoid costly mistakes, make better decisions, and accelerate your path to success.
You remain the hero of the story. I serve as your guide.
Why should I hire a coffee consultant?
Opening or growing a coffee business involves hundreds of decisions involving:
- Concept development
- Site selection
- Lease negotiations
- Equipment purchasing
- Menu creation
- Staffing
- Training
- Operations
- Financial planning
- Marketing
A few wrong decisions can cost tens of thousands of dollars. An experienced advisor helps you move forward with confidence while reducing risk.
Starting a Coffee Shop
I want to open a coffee shop. Where should I start?
Start with a clear vision and realistic business plan.
Before purchasing equipment or signing a lease, it’s important to understand:
- Your target customer
- Business model
- Financial requirements
- Sales projections
- Labor costs
- Location strategy
- Menu strategy
Most successful coffee businesses are built on strong planning long before the first drink is served.
How much does it cost to open a coffee shop?
Every project is different, but startup costs often range from $100,000 to over $1 million depending on:
- Size
- Location
- Build-out requirements
- Equipment
- Seating
- Food program
- Drive-thru components
I help clients create realistic budgets and avoid unnecessary expenses.
Can you help me create a business plan?
Absolutely.
I work with founders to develop presentation-ready business plans that can be used for:
- Investors
- Banks
- Partners
- Landlords
- Internal planning
We combine your vision with realistic financial and operational assumptions.
Do I need coffee experience before opening a café?
No.
Many successful coffee shop owners come from completely different industries.
What matters most is surrounding yourself with the right support, education, and systems.
Existing Coffee Shops
My coffee shop isn’t performing as expected. Can you help?
Yes.
Many existing businesses struggle with:
- Low sales
- Labor inefficiencies
- Poor customer retention
- Menu complexity
- Weak margins
- Operational bottlenecks
A structured audit often identifies opportunities that can significantly improve profitability and guest experience.
What is a Coffee Business Audit?
A Coffee Business Audit is a comprehensive review of your operation, including:
- Sales trends
- Menu performance
- Labor efficiency
- Customer experience
- Training systems
- Financial performance
- Marketing opportunities
The result is a prioritized action plan focused on growth and profitability.
Do you work with multi-unit operators?
Yes.
I regularly advise operators who are:
- Expanding to additional locations
- Launching drive-thrus
- Standardizing operations
- Improving training systems
- Developing leadership teams
- Preparing for growth or acquisition
Drive-Thru Coffee Concepts
Can you help me open a drive-thru coffee business?
Yes.
Drive-thru coffee is one of the fastest-growing segments in specialty coffee, but it requires a different approach than a traditional café.
I help clients develop:
- Service models
- Menu strategy
- Site evaluation
- Equipment layouts
- Workflow design
- Labor plans
- Financial projections
What are the biggest mistakes drive-thru operators make?
Common mistakes include:
- Overbuilding the menu
- Underestimating labor
- Poor site selection
- Complicated workflows
- Insufficient training
- Weak beverage differentiation
The goal is to create a fast, profitable operation that customers visit repeatedly.
Menu Development & Beverage Programs
Can you help create a menu?
Yes.
Menu strategy is one of the most important drivers of profitability.
Together we’ll build a menu that balances:
- Guest experience
- Speed of service
- Profit margins
- Equipment requirements
- Labor efficiency
- Brand positioning
Do you help with food programs?
Yes.
Food can be a powerful revenue driver when implemented strategically. I help evaluate offerings that align with your concept and operational capabilities.
Can you help develop new beverages or products?
Absolutely.
I’ve worked on beverage innovation ranging from café menus to RTD beverages, coffee concentrates, functional beverages, and consumer packaged goods.
Training & Education
Do you offer barista training?
Yes.
Through my educational platforms both online and in person workshops, I help train:
- New baristas
- Café managers
- Coffee shop owners
- Hospitality teams
Training can be delivered virtually or in person depending on the project.
What is Online Barista Training?
Online Barista Training is an educational platform designed to help coffee professionals develop skills in espresso preparation, milk steaming, workflow, customer service, and coffee operations.
Do you offer workshops for new coffee shop owners?
Yes.
Many clients begin with workshops, courses, or coaching before engaging in larger consulting projects.
This allows owners to build confidence while making progress at their own pace.
Fractional Leadership & Ongoing Support
What is a Fractional Coffee Advisor?
A fractional advisor gives your business access to executive-level experience without hiring a full-time executive.
This can include support with:
- Growth planning
- Operations
- Team development
- Vendor relationships
- Product development
- Strategic decision-making
How does ongoing consulting work?
Most clients engage through one of three models:
Discovery & Strategy
- Initial consultation
- Assessment
- Roadmap creation
Project-Based Consulting
- Defined deliverables
- Specific objectives
- Fixed timelines
Monthly Advisory Retainer
- Ongoing support
- Scheduled calls
- Strategic guidance
- Accountability
CoffeeBusiness.com
What is CoffeeBusiness.com?
CoffeeBusiness.com is a platform dedicated to helping coffee entrepreneurs start, grow, and scale successful coffee businesses through education, community, consulting, and practical resources.
Who is behind CoffeeBusiness.com?
CoffeeBusiness.com is led by Matt Milletto, a coffee entrepreneur, educator, and advisor with more than two decades of experience building and scaling specialty coffee businesses.
His experience includes launching coffee shops, wholesale operations, training programs, consumer brands, and helping entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of the coffee industry.
Do I need consulting to use CoffeeBusiness.com?
Not at all.
Many entrepreneurs begin with articles, courses, downloads, workshops, and community resources before deciding whether they would benefit from one-on-one support.
Getting Started
What happens on the first call?
The first conversation is focused on understanding:
- Your vision
- Current challenges
- Business goals
- Timeline
- Budget considerations
By the end of the call, you’ll have greater clarity around your next steps and whether ongoing support makes sense.
How do I get started?
Schedule a discovery conversation through CoffeeBusiness.com and let’s discuss your goals, challenges, and opportunities.
Together, we’ll build a roadmap that helps you create a coffee business designed not just to open—but to thrive.