2023 Georgia Coffee Shop Startup Guide from Crimson Cup Shows How to Open a Coffee Shop in the Peach State

COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 24, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Want to learn how to open a coffee shop in Georgia? Get tips on starting a profitable business in The Peach State from coffee shop startup experts at Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea.

Through its 7 Steps to Coffee Shop Success program, Roast magazine's 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year has taught several Georgia entrepreneurs how to open their own independent coffee shops. Nationwide, over 400 shops have opened through the 7 Steps program.

In 2022, Crimson Cup published a series of startup guides to help entrepreneurs in each state achieve their dreams of opening their own coffee shops.

For 2023, the company's 7 Steps coffee shop startup consulting team has updated its "How to Start a Coffee Shop in Georgia" guide with even more tips and resources.

"Georgia is a terrific place to start a coffee shop!" said Crimson Cup Founder and President Greg Ubert.

"Currently, the state has only six coffee chain locations per 100,000 residents. And there are over 8,752 Georgia residents for every existing coffee shop. That leaves many Georgians without a local coffee shop, especially in the smaller cities and towns."

The 7 Steps program is based on Ubert's book, Seven Steps to Success: A Common-sense Guide to Succeed in Specialty Coffee, which he wrote to help coffee shop owners develop profitable businesses by mastering all aspects of successful coffee shop operations.

"We help entrepreneurs with little or no coffee experience become owners of thriving coffee shops serving their local communities," he said.

"From choosing a terrific location and writing a strong coffee shop business plan to buying and laying out equipment, hiring and training staff and more, our team is here to guide you."

To hear about the book in Ubert's own words, download a free recorded introduction on Soundcloud.

The Lazy Labrador Coffee House opened on November 19, 2021, in historic downtown Kennesaw, Georgia, with support from Crimson Cup.

After retiring in 2020, Bob and Susan Miliani decided to become more invested in their community. Soon, they discovered a revitalization plan for downtown Kennesaw.

The chief retail resource missing from the area? A coffee shop! Bob and Susan saw a way to serve the community by serving their favorite beverage.

Soon, they acquired a Queen Anne style home built in 1909. The Victorian-era building sits on a half-acre in the heart of downtown Kennesaw's entertainment and historic district.

They named their shop Lazy Labrador after their dog Kirby, who likes to sprawl lazily at his master's feet while Bob enjoys a delicious cup of coffee.

Their vision: bring coffee lovers and canine fans together in a historic building with a working fireplace that offers outdoor seating, a fire pit, a wrap-around porch, and a dog park.

The only hurdle? The couple had zero experience in running a coffee shop.

"As we planned The Lazy Labrador, we tried six or seven different coffee roasters," Susan said. "We even signed a contract with one, but they didn't have a program to teach us to run a business."

Then they discovered Crimson Cup and the 7 Steps to Success.

As a one-stop shop for independent coffee shops, Crimson Cup supplies award-winning coffee, coffee business expertise, hands-on training and industry-leading coffee shop supplies.

"Having the consulting was the thing that clinched it for me," Bob said. "We broke the other contract to go with Crimson Cup."

"Knowing someone would be there to answer all our questions gave us the confidence to move forward."

7 Steps Trainer and Project Manager Steve Bayless helped the Milanis design the shop, then traveled to Kennesaw the week before the shop opened.

There, he taught Bob, Susan and their baristas to prepare drinks and run The Lazy Labrador, staying through opening day to ensure everything ran well.

A few months later, 7 Steps Customer Growth Rep Heather Ciranna attended the grand opening to help ensure a successful event.

Since then, the 7 Steps team has continued to mentor the Milanis in growing their business.

Asked what he would say to others who are thinking about opening a coffee shop, Bob offered this advice:

"Make sure you're well financed if you're doing a historical renovation. Feel very confident in the partner you selected with Crimson Cup. They follow through on what they say they're going to do, offer great products and have really solid experience."

After an extensive 20-month historic renovation, the Lazy Labrador has become a beautiful contributing property to Kennesaw's Historic District, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Residents love its charm, and tourists are drawn to downtown because of its historic character and the Smithsonian affiliate museum across the street from the Lazy Labrador: The Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History.

Inside, guests enjoy a full menu of hot, cold and iced espresso-based drinks in a warm atmosphere with plenty of seating. Guests can also enjoy rocking chairs and the shade of magnolia trees while sitting on a wraparound porch overlooking Cherokee Street and the Southern Museum.

The Milanis invite everyone in Kennesaw, Cobb County and beyond to visit Lazy Labrador Coffee House at 2886 Cherokee Street NW.

"We are excited about bringing our community together in a fun and cool place with really good coffee and an outdoor place where dogs can hang out with their owners," Bob said.    

Follow the shop's Facebook and Instagram pages for news about hours and events.

To help entrepreneurs learn about opening coffee shops, Crimson Cup will continue to post an updated state-level guide each week in 2023 until all 50 states are covered.

"Although the fundamentals of coffee shop operation remain the same from state to state, the economic opportunities, business formation and licensing requirements vary widely," Ubert said. "We're excited to share information and resources to help entrepreneurs expedite their startup journey."

He invited anyone who is thinking of opening a coffee shop in any state to call Crimson Cup for guidance.

"If you run into any roadblocks or just want to discuss your vision with a coffee expert, you can reach our startup team by calling 1-888-800-9224."

About Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea

Founded in 1991, Crimson Cup is at the forefront of the coffee industry. Its attentive roasting, startup support and global partnerships are consciously designed for the greater good of communities around the world. Among other national recognitions, the company has earned 2020 and 2017 Good Food Awards, the 2019 Golden Bean Champion for Small Franchise/Chain Roaster and Roast magazine's 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year.

Crimson Cup travels the world searching for the perfect cup – driven by meaningful relationships, honesty and a shared vision for the future. Its Friend2Farmer initiatives foster respect and decency through mutually beneficial collaboration across local and global communities.

Through its 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup program, the company teaches entrepreneurs how to open and run independent coffee houses in their local communities. By developing a coffee shop business plan, entrepreneurs gain insight into coffee shop startup costs.

Crimson Cup coffee is available through over 400 independent coffee houses, grocers, college and universities, restaurants and food service operations across more than 30 states, Guam and Bangladesh. The company also owns several Crimson Cup Coffee Shops and its CRIMSON café and retail store in Easton Town Center. To learn more, visit crimsoncup.com, or follow the company on Facebook and Instagram.

Media Contact

Cheryl Claypoole, Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea, 614-361-5023, [email protected]

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SOURCE Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea