now lots of ppl going into this biz. But there will be problem if no customer patronize your shop and nobody will rent from you also. But looking at the positive side, this business is good, no doubt about that. Most prefer to target the working crowd as the operating hours are not so long. Sunday no need to open. But of course earning will be less. Well I will see if anyone interested to do joint venture, I will contact you and Jordy. Meantime if got other oppoturnities, I will let you guys know as well.

How much can a kopitiam like oldtown earn? anyone know the approx figure?

I agree with you beebuu. Was put in charge of operating a small cafe only during the weekend functions (part time) and it was already quite taxing.

Although it was more of a service rather than an actual business, it does give a some insight and a glimpse of what owning a business in F&B would look like.

Some people think that because they love cooking and have a passion to cook that they will be able to open a successful restaurant, but it takes much more than that. It must be coupled with determination, some financial knowledge and a whole lot of people skills.

Of course, all businesses have their own challenges

And you need to have very good staff! My friend who have a cafe, the food is nice but the attitude of the staff is so bad that the customer goes away. There is really a lot of things to consider before going into this.

Hi just to share with you, in opening a cafe / kopitiam business, you need approximately RM250k for a
place with approx 1,700sq. ft.

Most important, you must be passion towards your business despite the long hours working schedule.

Anyhow, if you really serious abt opening one and needed help in setting up, you may
write to me @ candywong@mcwcorporation.com as i do provide service in assisting clients
to open up outlet where they already have their ideas and places.

My scope of covering will be like,
1. Suppliers sources
2. Menu & Recipes creation / standardization
3. Operation advises
4. Concept & Renovation

The fee charge will be base on your requirements, and not too worried as I wont charge too high
price as it is only my sub-business despite my interest of sharing experiences and giving advises.

Feel free to visit my website too www.mcwcorporation.com

Well I come across this posting just today. Was searching around for some people who have experience in opening a kopitiam style shop.

I am not sure if anyone here still post or read this posting since it stop since 2009! But at least contributing some experience here might help.

My experience is totally in F&B, it have been 14 years since I start work until now. I have help to open countless shop front for my employer and even oversea. But my experience is more to Singapore and Malaysia is mostly observe. The regulation is more or less the same.

Actually it is not hard to open a shop but most important is the passion. If you are financially short, well think of something within the budget. But plan ahead of 2 budget, your renovation and working capital. Renovation if possible keep it small like what the rest of the bro's advise. You will need your working capital as big as possible as this will be use for your day to day operation.

F&B is a cash business! what you earn is all by cash exchange for the service and food serve (credit card is the same but well... interest will be charge!) As you will be new in this line and no backing, unlikely supplier will extend credit term for you! So ... all your daily purchase will be by cash as well! So plan carefully and watch your cost! everything count ... even water and electicity.

If no exprience, why dont start small? simple as long the food and service is there ... people will be back with more business and slowly from there you expand! then again, every n3, 6 and 1 years try look into your menu, whichever not popular, erase it! Switch to a new one ... excite and suprise your customer!

Color wise for the shop front, perhaps all bro here should consider something bright and strong ...

well this is some of the simple experience in choosing your shop and business. If anyone need to discuss , well drop me email or PM me ... if possible will be glad to assist!

Cheers ...

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Added on November 18, 2010, 1:19 amThis post has been edited by jackygan: Nov 18 2010, 01:19 AM

NOTICE: This domain name expired on 02/19/2011 and is pending renewal or deletion

My brother open his 1st kopitiam at bukit jelutong. he brought corner shop lots and and make renovation almost 150k.

for first month,hard to get customer and second month,customer keep on coming ever days after change the menu style(unique menus) and business hour(7am till 1am).

Kopitiam concept is actually what I called a 'Rasa Sayang Cafe' where normal local fare are sold at slightly upscale prices to offset the higher renovation cost. It is a good concept with a lower price for coffee and tea compared to Starbucks and Coffee Bean. There are already many successful 'Kopitiams' notably Old Town, the rest like Kluang Station, Pak Hailam and many others who do not want franchise.

For this concept, location is very important. I also see many Uncle something in Bdr.Mahkota Cheras which failed and also one in Cameron Highlands that also failed. The one in CH is funny, CH the majority being chinese, the shop hung big white lanterns on the front resulting it looking like a chinese funeral parlour. This is what I call not doing research. There are some places that are still very very conservative and they definately won't pay RM3 to RM4 for a coffee and pay RM7 to RM8 for a nasi lemak no matter what condiments you have. To this people, renovations and ambience means nothing.

Research the area's spending capabilities before venturing. One popular criteria is area. Old areas like most PJ's old area have better spending capabilities because the house they are living would have been fully paid meaning more money to spend.

Rm 150k ~300K- monthly
Nett 10%

Cafe beter

Starting a cafe restaurant.

Start business this month.

Will issue Promotion Voucher soon.

Keep reading this post.

Location : Jalan Maharajalela, after Hotel Mandarin Court.

This post has been edited by great.eastern: Apr 1 2013, 08:55 PM

kopitiam better.

Hi fellow forumers,

I have a question to anyone with prior experience or have been quoted for renovation + ID + kitchen + table&chairs costs out there.
Well basically put, it I have been given an estimate from franchisor that I will need as much as 320k to set up in a retail outlet which basically will allow me to start operation...the mentioned will include:

Partitioning for enclosed kitchen with glass see through panel above counter height
Kitchen renovation for pipes, gutters etc.
Wiring
Stainless Kitchen equipments
Table & Chairs
POS machines
Interior Design wall panels
Dropped down false ceiling storewide to create soft lighting
Counter
Mirrors
Lighting fixtures
Flooring panels

The outlet in mind would be about 1400sq ft which works out to be 1400x RM 225 per sq ft = RM315,000

Is this way over estimated or is this competitively priced? The sum price would be RM 225 per sq ft if we just do an estimate to include all the above. I might have missed out some on the list.

Any help or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance to the sifus out there

hi all, is it easy to get those kopitiam (foodcourt) business license?

customers are harder

...

This post has been edited by sms1987: Jan 14 2015, 11:54 AM

So....does anyone here start up a Cafe/Kopitiam business? I am interest to know and learn.

If you are really serious about starting the business, you may pm me as I’m in the industry at klang valley. Perhaps we can work out something in the business.

Feel free to PM me. Cheers.