Hello,
I’ve been in business 1 ½ years as a frozen custard/coffee house. The frozen custard has carried the store and the coffee half has slowly developed (such as myself). The advice on the marketing topic was a good refresher and brought new ideas to mind especally with Starbucks accross the street. thanks
My current problem is items to compliment the coffee. The small items of baked goods I carry, go bad in a relative short period of time. I’m looking for creative things that would compliment my coffee but not have such a short life span. My display case is large, un-refrigerated, curve glass.
At this time I fall under the agriculture depart not the health department so meat, poultry, and fish are out of the question.
I appreciate any suggest/advice
Michael O'Brien
Hank’s
Frozen Custard & Gourmet Coffee
Coffee Boosts
We encourage adding boosts to your coffee. Of course its what we do but none the less a great idea and good profit margin. Not the same as adding snacks true but still very appealing to many. A nice boosted coffee on the way to the holiday party after a stressful day can really make things better.
Try adding a flu fighter to your blended drink menu or for the holidays a hangover boost and relaxing blend. The protein boost, the antioxidant and the multi-vitamin are wonderful too.
Sell health - cause really during winter who couldn't use a nice health boost?
Shelley O’Connor
Juice Bar Solutions
shelley@juicesolutions.com 415.382.6535
www.smoothieessentials.com www.matchagt.com
www.juicesolutions.com fax 415.382.6568
Coffee Fest!
Have you been to a Coffee fest? There are dozens of companies that ship frozen and all you do is either thaw or bake the par-baked items. Christie's Cookies are the same ones you get at Doubletree Hotels... they are great and only require a small countertop oven to bake batches as needed. This also puts that great smell in the air that helps boost sales. Other options are scones, pastries... If you can't go to Coffee Fest go to their website. They also have great info on other topics as does the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA).
Just don't loose focus that your in the Coffee Business... find ways to promote the fact that you have great coffee.
Saving the baked goods
We are lucky enough to have a freezer on the premies. We get most our bakery from a local bakery who delivers weekly. In the summer months we have to stock up for the busy weekends. Our extra bakery (that does not fit in the case) goes in the freezer and it stays fresh long enough to sell. We unthaw items the night before and refrigerate.
Hope that helps.
Hey Michael, How are you
Hey Michael,
How are you getting your baked goods now? Are you baking on site or do you have a supplier? You might get some par baked stuff and only bake up what you know you can sell in a day. If you are sourcing with a bakery, some will take back what you aren't selling. You can also donate them the the homeless shelters if they aren't too moldy or gross and take the write off and get some free pub out of it. You might also think about putting in candies like fudge or truffles, that have a longer shelf life and probably wouldn't need refridgeration during the day. If I am not mistaken, there's jobbers out there than can supply you with a case full of decent goodies pretty much turn-key. Pastrynet.com I think does this, if no, they know who does. If you aren't selling enough baked goods, then you might want to look at what you are offering and change direction. Sbux has a pretty set lineup, so if you go in a totally different direction than what they are offering, then you can stand out.
Hope that helps.