Start a Coffee Cart Business
More Info and Coffee Carts For Sale
Brew Up Success When You Start a Coffee Cart Business
A coffee cart is often one of the first stops that a person makes when beginning their day. The rush to get to the office in the morning can often be rather hurried, preventing them from taking the time to stop at a typical coffee shop and pick up one of their favorite brews for the road.
Instead of worrying about this, a coffee cart can still give them the drink they need to start their day without using the time that a traditional coffee shop might need. This is why, if you start a coffee cart business, you could find profits quickly begin to trickle in.
Most successful carts will either set up outside stations, car parks or popular shopping centres. By working out an agreement with the building's manager or owner, you can find that the process to start a coffee cart business is quick and easy. As long as you have fresh, hot, quality tasting coffee immediately available, your customer base will quickly start to grow.
Imagine it’s 7 AM, and commuters are rushing to work. They don’t have time to sit in a café, but they need their coffee. That’s where your mobile coffee cart comes in—offering fast, quality coffee on the go.
- Lower startup costs than a café
- Flexible locations – Move to where the demand is going to be
- Daily Sales – People buy coffee daily
- Growing coffee culture in the UK
Step 1: How Much Does It Cost to Start a Coffee Cart Business
One of the biggest benefits of a coffee cart is the relatively low startup cost compared to a café.
Here's a rough estimate of what you’ll need to get started:
- Item Estimated Cost (£) Coffee Cart (Basic)£3,000 - £8,000
- LPG Coffee Machine (Espresso or Bean-to-Cup) £800 - £4,000
- Grinder £300 - £800
- Water Boiler£200 - £600 Fridge (For Milk & Drinks) £200 - £500
- Generator (If No Power Access) £300 - £1,000
- Stock (Coffee Beans, Milk, Cups, etc.)£500 - £1,500
- Business Permits & Licenses£100 - £500
- Street Trading Permit (Varies by Council)£30 - £500/yearInsurance
- (Public Liability & Equipment) £200 - £600/year
- Marketing & Branding (Signage, Menus, Logo)£100 - £500
- Miscellaneous (Cleaning, Storage, Maintenance)£200 - £600
- TOTAL ESTIMATED STARTUP COST£5,000 - £18,000
💡 Tip: You can start with a basic setup for under £10,000 and upgrade later.
Step 2: Running Costs & Monthly Expenses
Once your coffee cart is running, here’s what you’ll be spending every month:
Expense
- Estimated Monthly Cost (£)Stock (Coffee Beans, Milk, Cups, Sugar, Syrups, etc.) £500 - £2,000
- Pitch Rental (If Trading in Private Spaces)£200 - £1,500
- Fuel & Generator Costs (If No Power Available) £100 - £400
- Insurance (Public Liability, Equipment, etc.)£20 - £50
- Marketing (Social Media, Flyers, Promotions)£50 - £200
- General Maintenance & Cleaning £50 - £200
- Staff Wages (If Hiring Help)£1,000+ (if applicable)
TOTAL ESTIMATED MONTHLY COST£1,000 - £5,000
💡 Tip: Keep costs low by buying supplies in bulk and negotiating rent for good locations.Step 3: Choosing the Best Location 📍
Step 3: Choosing the Best Location
Your location will make or break your business. The best places include:
- Train stations & commuter hubs – Busy people = high sales
- City centres & shopping malls – Lots of foot traffic
- Business districts – Office workers love coffee
- University campuses – Students drink a LOT of coffee
- Events & festivals – High demand, but requires temporary permits
- Hospital entrances – Doctors, nurses & visitors need coffee
Make sure to check local council regulations and get the right permissions before setting up. Tip: Some locations require rent, while others (like public markets) only need a small permit fee.
Step 4: Legal Requirements & Permits
Before you start selling, you must have the right paperwork:
- Street Trading License (Required in most areas)
- Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2) – A legal requirement for handling food & drinks
- Public Liability Insurance – Protects you if someone makes a claim against you
- Employer’s Liability Insurance (If you hire staff)
- Gas & Electrical Safety Certificates (If using gas or generators & any electrical appliances)
Tip: Contact your local council for specific requirements in your area.
Step 5: How to Make Your Coffee Cart Business Successful
Quality Matters:
- Use high-quality coffee beans ☕
- Offer different milk options (oat, almond, soy)
- Provide add-ons (flavoured syrups, extra shots)
Speed is Key:
- Serve coffee FAST – Customers are in a rush!
- Use a simple menu to keep queues moving
- Keep your workspace organized for efficiency
Boost Profits by Selling Food:
- Pastries, croissants, bagels
- Sandwiches & wraps
- Healthy snacks (fruit, protein bars)
Marketing Tips:
- Have a social media presence (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok)
- Offer a loyalty card – Free coffee after 5 purchases
- Partner with local businesses for exposure
Pros & Cons of a Coffee Cart Business Pros (Why It’s a Great Business!)
- Lower startup cost compared to a full café shop
- High profit margins (Coffee is cheap to make but sells for £2-£4 per cup)
- Flexible work hours – Work mornings, events, or weekends only
- Easier to scale – Start small and expand
- You are your own boss!
Cons (Challenges to Consider)
- Weather-dependent – Outdoor locations struggle in bad weather
- Permit restrictions – Some councils limit where you can trade
- Early mornings – You may need to start at 5-6 AM
- Competition – Popular areas may have other coffee vendors
- Storage issues – Need a place to keep stock & clean equipment
Tip: A strong loyal customer base will keep your business running even during slow days.
What Do You Need For a Coffee Cart Business?
The equipment is going to be the first step that you need to fulfill when you want to begin a coffee cart business. Without the proper equipment, you will find that you will not be able to provide the coffee as needed.
The cart itself needs to be something portable that you can easily move around. You will need plenty of water to brew the coffee as well as a way to heat that water to proper coffee temperatures. Disposable cups will be needed to give your customers their coffee on the go and you will need to provide enough creamer, sugar, and napkins to keep them happy.
Street trading permits or permission to trade is also a requirement as you are
trying to start a coffee cart business. You will need to follow all of
the business regulations of your local council, obtaining all of the licenses
and permits required before you can start business.This may include getting an up to date food and hygiene certificate which will allow you to start selling the food and beverages from your cart.
Selling food and other edible items could help you raise even more profits. Bagels or fruit can give a person the breakfast that they need. Sandwiches could help you continue to make a profit during lunch hours. The more that you offer, the more you will typically be able to sell.
If you are going to start a coffee business, you will want to make sure that you are going to be able to make more profit by offering a slightly wider range of offerings..
If you love coffee and want to be your own boss, starting a coffee cart is an affordable, flexible, and profitable business idea.
We hope you have found this information helpful, if you need further advice, help or support contact me You may also find this post helpful should I Invest £14,000 in Mobile Coffee Van
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