Cafe Business Loans

Café Small Businesses

There’s no question that Australians love their coffee. With a well-established coffee culture that’s gradually grown over the decades from the numerous Mediterranean, European and Middle Eastern migrants to Australia’s shores, coffee is heavily ingrained into daily life across the country. While technically considered a luxury item, it’s clearly one that people are willing to pay for.

Cafés, then, fulfill a valuable space in Australian public life. Ubiquitous in major cities and small towns alike, cafés also offer a space that it is continually ripe for new competition.

Despite coffee’s wide cultural presence, it’s notable that no major players or conglomerates have really been able to dominate the café space in Australia in a fashion akin to the USA. It’s clear that Aussies have a preference for independent outlets, with around 95% of cafés in the country classed as independent.

While COVID-19 has had an impact on café businesses across the country during 2021, it seems likely that the industry will make a swift recovery as the pandemic continues to subside in Australia. So if you’ve got a love for entrepreneurship and the hospitality industry, opening a café can be the perfect way to make your mark in the business. If you’ve got the right skills, the right location, the right people working with you – and the right finance – then you’ll be well-equipped to make your own success story.

There are currently 20,000+ cafes in Australia, employing more than 128,000 people^[i]

The industry is projected to grow at an annualised 1.5% over the next five years through 2025-26, as government restrictions around COVID are lifted and discretionary income rises ^[iv]

The market size of Australia’s café industry is $9 billion^[ii]

By 2021, the average coffee consumption per person is expected to rise to 2.1kg per annum ^[v]

As of 2020, 24.3% of coffee consumers are aged 25-34 years old^[iii]

By 2025, 87% of spending in the coffee segment will be attributable to out of home consumption (e.g. cafes, restaurants & bars ^[vi]

A quick and easy loan process

Our simple application process can be completed in minutes and you'll know within hours if your loan is approved

Flexible loans to suit your needs

With loans from $10,000 - $250,000 over 6-24 month terms, we work with you to understand what best suits your needs

Dedicated Australia-based Loan Specialists

You'll get an Australia-based Loan Specialist to assist you with your application

Cafe Loan Frequently Asked Questions

Is a coffee shop a good investment?

There isn’t much Australians love more than good coffee. Specialty coffee in a well trafficked area could very well be a good investment.

How do I get a loan for my café?

Banks or lending institutions provide café loans – each one is different though, so thoroughly research the different institutions, loan types and requirements to find the right fit for you. You can find our qualification requirements here for a quick and easy café loan.

How do I run a successful café?

Get a good handle on the finances, create a strong brand and market effectively to your ideal customer, and invest in all aspects of your business (equipment, people, and POS/inventory systems).

How do you attract customers to your coffee shop?

Strong marketing strategies can effectively bring in new customers through a variety of channels (e.g. online, offline and on-premises). Here are a few marketing hacks to fill your café.

How can I improve my coffee shop?

Improving backend efficiency, such as invoice payment and improving cash flow, is one way to make your coffee shop more efficient. Listening to feedback from customers and employees can show you more specific areas needing improvement. POS systems, the quality of food and service, cleanliness, etc. are all things to focus on if there are recurring complaints.

How do I manage my café business?

Use the right POS systems to keep track of sales, invoices, payments and inventory. Get a good manager and hire experienced staff. Consistently delivery fantastic customer experience (service, products, atmosphere).

How do I start my own café business?

Start by coming up with a business plan, which includes identifying how much capital you need. Once you’ve figured out the resources needed, the next step for most new business owners is to apply for a loan to help with the funding.

How expensive is it to start a coffee shop?

This depends on your coffee shop location, the equipment you purchase, and your staff. It could range anywhere from $25,000 to $300,000.

What licenses are needed to open a café?

The exact license requirements vary by state; however, typical licenses and permits include general business licenses, food handling permits and a music license.

What are the risks of opening a coffee shop?

Major risks include picking a bad location or signing a lease that isn’t the right fit. Hiring the wrong people, poorly designing space layout (especially for your baristas), and not investing in the right equipment can also be detrimental in opening a coffee shop. Knowing the challenges of running a café upfront can help you avoid unnecessary risk.

Cafe Business Loans
Guides and resources for cafe business loans

Café Small Businesses

Café Small Businesses in Australia – the Statistics