Drive Through Coffee Stand. Good Idea or Bad Idea?

I wonder. Placement is KEY. We have so many coffee places to go for sure but when one is one the go, a drive thru is great.

Because there are already so many, the first key, I would think, is to be in a high traffic location that some other coffee experience hasn't already dominated.

THEN, she should do something that no other coffee stand is doing and BRAND HERSELF. IE. the cowgirls coffee stands are known for their super hot (and perhaps semi-clad) baristas. May not be everyone's cup of tea - or coffee, haha - but hey, don't you remember it? And I bet they get hell of tips there.

My fave stand closed and I don't know why. They were on my way to school at the time and had the best potato and egg breakfast burritos for only 1.50! Plus George and his wife were always full of smiles and happiness. I loved that.

So if one is going to go into coffee, better make sure you got a solid branding that will stand out. And make sure that location is hot too! (near bus stops, intersections, etc.)

Good luck!

Hi Courtney, I also think you need a "hook" that makes you different....and like you said in a way that isn't a cliche. You certainly can take inspiration from others, though. I saw a piece this week about a Seattle-area coffee stand in West Seattle called Red Cup that uses solar power to run the stand. They have made a serious commitment to reducing their carbon footprint by doing this as well as using supplies made from recycled and biodegradeable materials, discounts for hybrid drivers, etc. In this economy, if people are going to continue their coffee habit, they want to justify it and can at least feel better about doing so in an environmetally friendly way, and that's likely helping the coffee stand owner's biz in tough economic times in eco-friendly Seattle. Maybe tap into that niche. I'm sure there are lots of media outlets that Red Cup missed, that would cover your story.

I remember hearing about another coffee shop (again in West Seattle) that posted photos of single customers before Valentine's Day and then the participants decorated boxes like we did in elementary school and customers dropped valentines in others' boxes if they were interested in them. Cute! Again, a niche market...a shop where singles started hanging out and mingling.

Let's face it, any new biz is a gamble at this point but I think if you came up with a unique twist and, as Amy said, have a great location, you'd do well. The natives don't seem to be giving up their "joe" completely!

Nancy

Hop to Signaroo

I would SO frequent a stand that had an eco commitment if it were in my area.

Support local economy, indie biz AND the environment. NICE!

We're interested in visiting funky or unusual drive-through coffee/expresso stands in the Seattle area and on the Eastside. Please let me know if you know of any. Thanks !

I think one of the best designed and most inviting is the Bigfoot Java chain. They have numerous locations, mostly though-out the south sound area. ...Howard

Disclaimer: I have consulted with them in the past. You are welcome to pick my brain if you desire.

I also like Bigfoot!

You need a niche market... and NOT one based on sex (bikini/males etc.). I find those types of stand so disgusting and would never go to them nor do I know of any middle age women that would.

You need to consider who your target market is.

I totaly agree that if you could base the stand around being eco-friendly that would not only cater to us 'greenies' but perhaps the younger crowd also, who is slowly becoming aware of keeping our planet viable.

One thing that no one has mentioned is the coffee itself.

Did you know that coffee comes in different grades... 1 being the best and 28 being the worst grade?

Do you know what grade of coffee Starbucks or Tully's serves? I do.

Have you ever tasted a Grade 1 coffee? Would you like to try some?

If people don't like the coffee that is being offered then they will go somewhere else to buy.

Let me connect you with someone in the industry.

Mark

Something more unique than just "coffee" would be nice.

There's a little espresso and donut drive-thru in Monroe called "Darci's Dinki Donuts" (not sure about spelling.) They make these tiny donuts (right there) that are insanely good and quite addictive. Thank God I don't live TOO close!

You'd have a line....

This is a year-old thread, but maybe it's never too late to add a comment. I'm just plugging a book that might help, because of it's unique content. Check out Driven to Espresso at my website, 1by1publishing.com.