Hey everyone, I’m posting on behalf of my sister who isn’t on this forum but could really use some advice.
She owns this cozy cafe that everyone loves hanging out in. It has comfy chairs, warm lighting, and the whole vibe is perfect for chilling. The issue is, people come in to relax but end up buying just a coffee or sometimes nothing at all. She’s tried organizing open mic nights and book clubs to get people to spend more, but it hasn’t been much help.
She’s really invested in keeping that community feeling, but it’s getting hard to keep things afloat when there’s little sales. Any ideas on how she can encourage customers to buy something without ruining the welcoming atmosphere? She’s open to trying new ideas.
Just a heads-up, this forum is for questions about running small businesses. Please make sure your posts follow the rules here. If you break any rules, they may be removed, and you could be banned temporarily or permanently. If you need help, feel free to reach out to the moderators.
Have you thought about giving your customers a short survey? Something simple like:
Rate the coffee 1-5
Rate the food 1-5
Rate the atmosphere 1-5
Rate the service 1-5
Anything you’d like us to offer?
You could also mention that rent is getting expensive, and you’re looking for ways to either cut costs or bring in more revenue. Most people will understand that. Surveys help you learn more about what your regular customers want.
If your coffee or pastries are lacking, people might not buy as much. Maybe the food quality is keeping them from coming back.
Maybe consider a premium seating area or a minimum spend per table, especially if a lot of people are sitting with laptops. You could also offer proactive table service (many people will say yes if asked for a refill). Or, think about a deal where customers get unlimited refills at a good price. Overall, try focusing on ways to get customers to spend more per visit (like menu bundles, bigger sizes, premium options).
What about adding cats? Maybe partner with a local shelter and create a safe space for them. People will stay longer to play with the cats and might even adopt them!
Eli said:
What about adding cats? Maybe partner with a local shelter and create a safe space for them. People will stay longer to play with the cats and might even adopt them!
Eli said:
What about adding cats? Maybe partner with a local shelter and create a safe space for them. People will stay longer to play with the cats and might even adopt them!
Not everyone likes having cats around food and drinks.
Eli said:
What about adding cats? Maybe partner with a local shelter and create a safe space for them. People will stay longer to play with the cats and might even adopt them!
The issue isn’t the staying; it’s the buying. Adding extra costs like feeding and caring for cats isn’t really what the person who posted this is asking about.
Eli said:
What about adding cats? Maybe partner with a local shelter and create a safe space for them. People will stay longer to play with the cats and might even adopt them!