The way you train new hires directly impacts guest experience, food safety, team morale, and profitability. If you want fewer fires to put out and more consistency across shifts, training must start with three core areas: policies and food safety, customer service, and menu knowledge.

Every year—just as the holiday drinks roll out and your shop hits peak busyness—the donation requests start pouring in. Schools, sports teams, nonprofits, community groups, coworker’s cousins…  everyone  is asking. And you want to help. Coffee shops are community hubs, after all. But too often, generosity becomes overwhelming, inconsistent, or expensive. Here’s the good news: with a thoughtful approach, donations can actually become a  net positive  for your business. They can bring in new...

1. Replicate Systems, Not People Your first location likely works because  you  (or a key leader) make it work. A second location breaks if operations rely on personalities instead of processes. You are not ready until your first location is running smoothly without you. To prepare, document your systems, including checklists, training documentation, and organizational structure. 2. Choose a Location Based on Proven Data, Not Vibes Your first location gives you a ton of analytics—use them....