Opening a coffee shop may seem like an exciting venture, but transforming it into a thriving business requires more than just pouring passion into a great cuppa. Recognizing the gap between aspiration and execution, Michael Kapos, owner of Downeast Coffee Roasters, a New England-based company, launched Café Launch – a program designed to equip aspiring cafe owners with the strategies, tools, and expert guidance needed for success.
Specialty coffee roasters have traditionally provided basic training to their cafe clients, but Kapos, along with Matt Adams, Director of Business Development & Training, saw that wasn’t enough. “We watched cafe owners struggle and realized they needed deeper support,” he says. “They wanted a business consultant involved in everything, from store layout and cost management to hiring strategies and order flow optimization.” That insight led to Café Launch, a comprehensive program that helps coffee shop owners navigate the complexities of building and running a sustainable business.
The program’s tagline, “Stop hoping and start executing,” speaks to a common pitfall in the industry. Many new cafe owners focus on securing a location and designing their space, assuming the rest will fall into place, but Kapos warns that success demands more than a great idea. It requires a clear, actionable strategy. “There’s a proven way to launch a cafe and maximize its chances of success,” he says. “We’ve refined that formula and are passionate about sharing it.”
One of the biggest challenges cafe owners face is getting caught up in daily operations while losing sight of the bigger picture. “The real struggle is shifting from a reactionary mindset to a strategic one,” Kapos explains. Café Launch helps owners build a strong foundation, from staff training to financial management, ensuring long-term sustainability.
In a fiercely competitive landscape, what separates a truly successful cafe from the rest? According to Kapos, it all comes down to execution. “Most cafes don’t serve their beverages well enough,” he says. “That’s not just due to a lack of training. It’s a failure to enforce that training at the management level.”
Beyond coffee quality, hospitality plays a crucial role. “At premium prices, great coffee is expected, but it’s hospitality that makes a cafe stand out,” Adams notes. Cleanliness, friendliness, and knowledgeable service define a customer’s experience. Café Launch emphasizes a hospitality-first approach, ensuring cafes create a welcoming atmosphere that keeps customers coming back.
In an industry where many coffee shops struggle to stay afloat, Café Launch has helped numerous clients not only survive but expand, with some opening second and third locations. “Our goal is to set every cafe up for success,” Kapos says. “When they thrive, we thrive.” For more information, visit DowneastCoffee.com, follow @downeastcoffee on Instagram, or stop by their Pawtucket location.
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