How Much Does It Cost to Open a 100-Square-Meter Coffee Shop?

Thinking of opening your own coffee shop? Whether you're dreaming of a cozy 100-square-meter spot or a bustling urban café, the numbers matter more than the décor. This case study breaks down every cost—from rent to espresso machines—and shows how long it really takes to turn a profit.

The short answer? Expect to invest at least 300,000 RMB upfront (not including rent), with a break-even point around 1 year and 8 months—if you hit 2,300 RMB in daily sales. Here’s the full breakdown of costs, daily operations, and what actually determines your success.

Initial Investment Breakdown: Every Yuan Counted

The baseline investment for a 100㎡ coffee shop (excluding rent) starts at 300,000 RMB. Here’s how it breaks down:

• Rent: 150,000–200,000 RMB/year (100㎡ space)
• Renovation: 100,000–120,000 RMB (includes lighting, tables, curtains, tablecloths, and sound system)
• Core Equipment: 6.8 for equipment training and setup
• Technology & Utilities: 1.5 (incl. POS software), 1.5 (2×5 + 1×1.5), DVD/0.4
• Furniture: Chairs 10,000 RMB
• Bar Setup: Semi-auto espresso machine 20,000 RMB, cups 15,000 RMB, coffee tools 2,000 RMB, siphon pot 1,500 RMB, refill machine 1,000 RMB, electric grinder 1,000 RMB, sterilizer 1,000 RMB, juicer 600 RMB, microwave 800 RMB
• Additional Kitchen Gear: 1 (incl. bar tools), 0.2, 0.1, 0.2
• Working Capital: 20,000 RMB

Total: 300,000 RMB+ (plus rent and working capital). Image placeholder for café layout:

Daily Operating Costs: The Real-Day Math

Running the shop daily adds up to roughly 1,600–1,800 RMB in fixed costs to break even. Here’s the daily expense breakdown:

• Rent: 550 RMB/day
• Wages: 440 RMB/day
• Utilities (electricity/water): 100 RMB/day
• Food & ingredients: 250 RMB/day
• Taxes: 100 RMB/day
• Miscellaneous: 150 RMB/day
• Plants/maintenance: 50 RMB/day

Hit 1,600–1,800 RMB in daily revenue, and you’re covering costs. But the real question is: can you hit that target consistently?

Daily Sales Potential: How Many Cups to Break Even?

Here’s the math behind the 2,300 RMB/day break-even goal:

• Space: 100㎡, 15 tables (3 people/table) = 45 potential seats
• Hours: 11:00 AM–2:00 AM (15 hours), but only 8–10 hours are truly usable
• Customer flow: 60% seat occupancy = 9 tables (27 people), 1.5–2 turnover rate = 40–50 daily customers
• Spend: 45 RMB/customer average
• Result: 40–50 customers × 45 RMB = 1,800–2,300 RMB/day

If you hit the top end—2,300 RMB/day—you’ll recover your 300,000+ RMB investment in about 1 year and 8 months. Image placeholder for customer flow:

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the minimum investment to open a 100㎡ coffee shop?

The baseline startup cost (excluding rent) is at least 300,000 RMB, covering equipment, furniture, renovation, and initial training. Rent adds 150,000–200,000 RMB/year, and 20,000 RMB is recommended as working capital. Total starting capital ranges from 470,000–520,000 RMB depending on location and rent.

How many customers do I need daily to break even?

To cover daily fixed costs (1,600–1,800 RMB), you need 1,600–1,800 RMB in sales. At an average spend of 45 RMB per customer, that’s 36–40 customers. To hit the 1-year-8-month break-even point (based on 300,000+ RMB investment), aim for 40–50 customers daily (2,300 RMB/day).

What’s included in the 68,000 RMB 'equipment preparation and training' cost?

This covers essential training for operating the café’s core equipment, though the article doesn’t break down specifics beyond the total. It’s likely bundled with the 20,000 RMB espresso machine and other bar tools to ensure staff are fully trained.

How much of the daily revenue comes from non-coffee items?

The breakdown includes 10,000 RMB for alcohol and bar tools, plus 2,000 RMB for juice/juicer and 800 RMB for microwave, suggesting food/beverage diversification (like fried snacks or toast) could contribute to the 45 RMB average spend per customer.

What’s the ideal turnover rate to hit profitability?

With 27 potential seated customers (9 tables × 3 people), a 1.5–2 turnover rate during usable hours (8–10 hours/day) generates 40–50 daily customers. Hitting the higher end (2 turnovers) is key to reaching the 2,300 RMB/day target for faster break-even.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Café Use

For a 100㎡ coffee shop, FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Humbera (bright citrus and floral notes) pairs well with milk drinks, while the Classic Blend (balanced chocolate and nutty tones) is a reliable espresso base. Both roast profiles suit daily customer preferences and menu flexibility. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.