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How to Start a Café or Coffee Cart Business in Australia

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By Trinity Accounting Practice – Your Local Accounting Experts for Cafés and Hospitality Businesses in Beverly Hills, NSW
📍 159 Stoney Creek Road Beverly Hills NSW 2209
☎️ 02 9543 6804
🌐 www.trinitygroup.com.au
📅 Weekend & after-hours appointments available!
📅 Booking Link: https://calendly.com/ramy-hanna

Introduction: Brewing Your Dream into a Business

Coffee is more than just a beverage in Australia—it’s a daily ritual and a booming industry. Whether you want to launch a cosy café, a mobile coffee cart, or a trendy espresso bar, the demand is there. But to build a successful hospitality business, you need more than good beans—you need the right financial structure, compliance, and strategy.

At Trinity Accounting Practice, we work with café owners and mobile coffee vendors across NSW and Australia. This guide walks you through the step-by-step process to start your café or coffee cart business from an accountant's perspective.

1. Choose Your Coffee Business Model

Before anything else, define your concept:

• Café: A physical location with seating, staff, and a full menu
• Coffee cart: Mobile or pop-up setup at markets, events, or high-foot traffic spots
• Kiosk or espresso bar: Compact, high-volume setups in malls or train stations

Each model comes with different startup costs, licenses, and profit margins.

2. Register Your Business and Pick the Right Structure

You'll need to register your business with the ATO and ASIC. Your options include:

• Sole Trader – simple setup but personal liability
• Partnership – shared responsibilities
• Company – limited liability and tax planning flexibility

At Trinity, we help you:

• Register your ABN and business name
• Choose the right structure for tax, liability, and growth
• Lodge with ASIC (we’re a registered ASIC Agent)

3. Create a Business Plan and Budget

Successful café businesses begin with a solid business plan. It should include:

• Equipment and fit-out costs
• Menu development and pricing strategy
• Staffing needs and wages
• Monthly fixed and variable expenses
• Break-even analysis

We can help build a financial forecast and review your budget for profitability.

4. Understand Licences, Permits, and Compliance

Depending on your location and setup, you may need:

• Food business registration with your local council
• Development Application (DA) or mobile vending permits
• Health and safety inspections
• Music licensing if you play background music
• Public liability and workers' compensation insurance

Trinity ensures your registration aligns with your structure and compliance requirements.

5. Secure Startup Funding and Equipment

Café startups require investment in:

• Espresso machines, grinders, fridges, display cabinets
• Furniture and signage
• Point-of-sale (POS) systems
• Fit-out or van/cart construction

We can help you:

• Apply for loans or financing
• Create asset depreciation schedules
• Maximise deductions on capital purchases

6. Set Up Your Accounting System and Software

We recommend Xero for hospitality businesses. It allows you to:

• Track sales, tips, wages, and inventory
• Integrate with POS systems like Square or Lightspeed
• Automate supplier payments and reconciliations

We’ll set up your chart of accounts, GST, payroll, and bank feeds.

7. Register for GST and Lodge BAS

If your turnover exceeds $75,000/year (most cafés do), you must:

• Register for GST
• Lodge Business Activity Statements (BAS) quarterly
• Track GST on food, beverages, and supplies

We manage your GST compliance, review your books, and lodge accurate BAS.

8. Hire and Pay Staff Correctly

Cafés and carts rely on baristas, kitchen staff, and casual employees. You’ll need to:

• Register for PAYG withholding
• Set up Single Touch Payroll (STP)
• Comply with Hospitality Award rates
• Calculate superannuation and annual leave

Trinity offers payroll processing and Fair Work compliance for hospitality clients.

9. Cost Control and Profitability Tips

Margins can be thin in hospitality. Key tips include:

• Monitor cost of goods sold (COGS) weekly
• Use portion control and recipe costing
• Avoid overstaffing during quiet times
• Reduce wastage and theft with inventory systems
• Analyse daily sales and average spend per customer

We provide financial dashboards and monthly reports to help you stay profitable.

10. Marketing and Building a Local Presence

Getting noticed is essential in the café game. Use:

• Social media (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook)
• Google Business Profile
• Loyalty programs and SMS marketing
• Collaborations with local businesses
• Food delivery apps (for cafés)

Marketing costs are deductible—make sure your bookkeeping captures them.

Conclusion: Brew Success with Expert Support

Starting a café or coffee cart takes passion—but also planning, permits, and profit management. Avoid common pitfalls like underpricing, tax issues, or payroll errors by partnering with hospitality-savvy accountants.

At Trinity Accounting Practice, we help café owners build profitable, compliant, and sustainable coffee businesses.

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Contact Trinity – Hospitality & Café Accounting Experts

✅ Trinity Accounting Practice
📍 159 Stoney Creek Road Beverly Hills NSW 2209
☎️ 02 9543 6804
🌐 www.trinitygroup.com.au
📅 Weekend & after-hours appointments available!
📅 Book Now: https://calendly.com/ramy-hanna

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