Investigate and learn all you can about the coffee house business. Subscribe to industry periodicals. Attend coffee tradeshows.

Hire a consulting company to guide you and offer professional advice and business tactics. Decide on a concept for the coffee house. Choose between an upscale cafe, a laid back hometown shop or a coffee house with an eclectic, artsy vibe. Together, develop a business plan.

Choose a good location. Remember your concept when choosing your location. Upscale cafes will require a different location than a fast, drive-thru convenience coffee shop. Choose a location that is in a high traffic area, near a high percentage of coffee drinkers. Consider a bury route that many people travel on during their daily commute for a drive-thru convenience shop. Choose a crowded mall or shopping center in the appropriate demographic area for an upscale café.

Obtain financial assistance from business lenders. Present a well-constructed business plan to a financial lending institution that specializes in small business loans.

Select your suppliers for both coffee products and equipment. Search industry periodicals to find recommended suppliers in your area. Do not overlook small, local suppliers that may be able to offer lower pricing. After equipment is delivered and installed, place product orders. Aim for a delivery date of four to six weeks prior to opening.

Hire your employees. Solicit staff via the local newspaper classifieds, on-line job boards such as Craigslist.com and placing a help wanted sign in the store window.

Subject your employees to a staff training session that teaches them the basics of preparing the various beverages. It is important that each employee makes a drink the same way, every time. Customers want consistency and if they do not get it they will go elsewhere. Speak with a representative at your coffee or equipment supplier to see if they offer free or discounted comprehensive staff training programs.