How 111 Micro-Owners Are Running a Dalian Coffee Shop

Last December, a new kind of coffee shop quietly opened its doors in Dalian. But this wasn’t your typical café — it had 92 owners from the start, all investing small stakes in a shared dream. By June, that number had grown to 111. Now, six months into operation, many are asking: can a coffee shop with over 100 part-owner shareholders really work?

Yes — but just barely. After six months, the Dalian “Many People” coffee shop is breaking even, with 111 owners, zero closures, and only one partial share transfer. That’s the short answer. The longer story involves tight budgets, collective decisions, and a 15% price hike to stay afloat.

What Is the ‘Many People’ Coffee Shop?

In June 2023, Dalian residents Wang Lianjun and Sun Xiaolong launched a crowdfunding campaign to open a community-owned coffee shop. By December 24, they’d raised over 400,000 RMB from 130-plus shares (each share 3,000 RMB, with a target of 500 shares for 1.5 million RMB). Though underfunded compared to their goal, they secured an affordable location and opened with 92 co-owners. That number later grew to 111 during a continued soft crowdfunding phase.

How Are 111 Owners Managing the Business?

Despite the large ownership group, the coffee shop has kept decision-making manageable. In the startup phase, major decisions required meetings with up to 40 people. Since opening, however, only two general shareholder meetings have taken place — one with around 10 attendees, another with about 20. Most operational calls are now made by a core group of around 20 regular, informed shareholders. This flexible leadership approach helps avoid paralysis while keeping the broader group updated via email updates.

What Does the Financial Reality Look Like?

The monthly operating cost is around 30,000 RMB, covering 10,000+ RMB for staff salaries, 10,000+ RMB rent, 7,000–8,000 RMB for food ingredients, and other overheads. With average customer spend at roughly 20 RMB and about 60 daily visitors, daily revenue barely covers expenses. The shop is not profitable but also not losing money. Initial funding of 500,000+ RMB ran out quickly, and 300,000 RMB in debt remains unpaid. Marketing efforts like WeChat or Weibo promotions have been limited due to budget constraints.

Why Did They Just Raise Prices by 15%?

To tackle the financial strain, the management — without calling a full shareholder vote — decided to increase prices across the menu by 15%. Though some co-owners questioned the move, the decision was based on turnover rates and the belief that customer traffic would remain stable. The goal isn’t to maximize profit but to follow sound business strategy and improve cash flow. The added income is necessary, but not the ultimate focus.

How Do They Handle Ownership Without Daily Chaos?

Owning a café with 111 stakeholders could easily become chaotic. Yet the Dalian shop has avoided major conflict. The majority of owners are hands-off, treating their investment as a passion project rather than a job. While few take active operational roles, many help out casually — manning the shop occasionally or changing a light bulb. Shareholders receive monthly financial reports but aren’t obligated to contribute ideas or labor beyond their initial investment.

What Happens After Two Years?

The original business plan set a two-year cycle for evaluating the venture. When that period ends, the co-owners will decide whether to dissolve the business or distribute any accumulated profits. With about 18 months left on the clock, the team remains committed to their original vision: a community-powered coffee shop driven by shared interest in coffee and entrepreneurship, not just financial returns.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many owners does the Dalian Many People coffee shop have?

As of mid-2024, the Dalian Many People coffee shop has 111 co-owners. It started with 92 in December 2023 and added more through continued soft crowdfunding. Only one owner has left, by transferring their share rather than withdrawing completely.

Is the Dalian Many People coffee shop making a profit?

No, the Dalian Many People coffee shop is not currently making a profit. It’s breaking even, with monthly expenses around 30,000 RMB and income just enough to cover costs. The average customer spends about 20 RMB, with roughly 60 visitors per day.

Why did the coffee shop raise prices by 15%?

The Dalian Many People coffee shop raised prices by 15% to address ongoing financial pressure and improve cash flow. The decision was based on turnover analysis and the belief that customer numbers wouldn’t drop significantly. It wasn’t about maximising profit but about following a sustainable business strategy.

How are decisions made with 111 owners?

With 111 owners, the coffee shop limits full shareholder meetings to only major decisions. Since opening, there have been just two such meetings. Day-to-day and even some major operational choices are handled by a core group of around 20 regularly involved shareholders, allowing for efficient management without needing input from all 111 owners.

What happens to the coffee shop after two years?

The business model includes a planned two-year review period. After two years, the co-owners will decide whether to dissolve the shop or distribute any profits. This decision point is now about 18 months away, and will determine the future of the community-funded experiment.

Do all 111 owners help run the coffee shop?

No, not all 111 owners are actively involved in running the coffee shop. Most are passive investors who receive monthly financial updates. A few help out informally, like covering shifts or doing small tasks, but there is no obligation for owners to participate in daily operations.

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