How to Make a Career Change With a Coffee Shop Franchise

Making a career change is never an easy decision, but now could be the perfect time to shake up your career with a coffee shop franchise. Here’s what you need to know.

Studies have shown that millennials will have 12 different jobs over their lifetime [Investec Click & Invest]. Generations younger than them will hold even more. But regardless of your age, experience and skills, more and more people are making the decision to change their lives and their careers.

Whether you’re looking for more job satisfaction, more flexibility, more independence, or simply just want to be your own boss, opening a franchise could be the right choice for you. Brits drink 70 millions cups of coffee every day, and if you have a passion for coffee then running a coffee shop franchise could be an ideal career move.

Why open a Coffee Shop Franchise?

If you’re not already convinced, here’s another three reasons why you should consider opening your own coffee business:

1. You’ll be part of a fast-growing industry

It’s true that coffee shops were hit hard by the pandemic, but many were able to continue operating through delivery and subscription services. This means many franchises will have been able to reach new customers. As we all look forward to getting back to doing the things we love, there’s every chance that the coffee shop industry will bounce back stronger than ever. Meaning you’ll be in the ideal position to benefit from future growth.

2. You’ll have plenty of support behind you

The coffee shop sector has been booming in recent years, and there have been plenty of new coffee shops springing up on high streets around the country. In such a competitive industry, starting your own coffee business isn’t easy. But as part of a bigger national franchise, you’ll be able to set-up immediately as a trusted name, with popular coffee and with tried-and-tested training.

3. You’ll be able to perfect your skills

Making good coffee is an art form. Coffee has been drunk for centuries and has plenty of different unique recipes. Even today, demand for plant-based and alternative dietary ingredients is changing coffee and the types of coffee you’ll be able to make. You’ll have the satisfaction of working with a popular drink, perfecting your coffee-making skills and experience, and experimenting with new recipes. 

5 Things You’ll Need to Make a Career Change With a Coffee Shop Franchise

If you’re ready to make an exciting new step in your career with a coffee franchise, there are a few things you’ll need to know beforehand. 

1. Qualifications

Long before you’ll be able to open your doors, you’ll need to be able to prove you’ve got some minimum qualifications with food safety, hygiene and cleaning. You won’t necessarily need these qualifications before you start the process of becoming a franchise – although it might help your application – but you will definitely need them before you open.

The good news is depending on which franchise you decide to open as, your franchisor may pay for your training and accreditation on your behalf, meaning you’ll gain your qualifications during your training. On top of this, your franchisor will bring their own business accreditations and awards, making both yourself and your business a trusted enterprise.

2. Flexibility

Depending on how much experience you already have, you might be familiar with a particular way of working already. However, as you move forward into your new career, you might need to have an adaptable way of working, as your franchisor will likely have a different way of doing things.

Starting a new job or business is full of little difficulties that everybody has to overcome, and being able to come through them will make you a better franchisee for it. If you’re finding the changes difficult to overcome, keep an open-mind and remember why you wanted to take this new step in the first place. Short-term challenges are only a stepping stone to long-term success. 

3. Good Customer Service

As you’ll be working in a people-facing industry, having good manners, socialising skills, and a chatty demeanor will be important in growing your business. Whether you are providing coffee in-store or via takeaway, greeting your customers with a smile and pleasant conversation will be absolutely crucial to your business.

4. Ambition

You’re taking a new step in your career and in your life, and you should be excited to see where this new venture could take you. You won’t need any specific skills or experience in order to open your new café business, but one of the key qualities your franchisor will be looking for is ambition.

Being able to put together an exciting business plan is one thing, but being ambitious is what will allow you to overcome challenges along the way. You should be forward-thinking to grow your coffee shop and to offer better coffee and customer service than your competitors. 

5. Critical Skills

A skill that will make you really stand out to your franchisor is the ability to assess both your own, and your business’, actual performance. Being able to critically assess your business’ performance against KPIs, and draw honest conclusions from them, will stand your business in good stead.

When you’ve put your heart, soul and savings into running a business, facing up to some of your weaknesses or flaws won’t be easy, but it’s the only way to keep your business running smoothly.

Making a Career Change With a Coffee Shop Franchise

Making a career change can be a daunting decision, but with the right preparation and the skills, you can turn it into an exciting opportunity.

Coffee shops were hit hard by the pandemic, but many franchises will already be eyeing up new opportunities up and down the country. If you’re an ambitious individual who is looking for an exciting new career change, you could be an ideal franchisee for any one of these businesses.

You could also see available opportunities in the restaurant sector, or there are a number of exciting franchises in the bakery industry. Alternatively, if franchising sounds like the right business opportunity for you but you’re interested in a different sector, see a full list of franchises on the UK franchise directory.