Jack Groots Blog

How Not To Be A Dick At The Coffee Shop

Jack — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 16:31:52 +0000

OK, I wasn’t gonna do it, but low-hanging ripe fruit is just too tempting to pass up. So I was doing my usual social website perusing of coffee people and came across comments about a post written a couple of weeks ago titled “How not to be a dick at the coffee shop“. I know, I know, I was thinking the same thing, but the focus was actually the barista telling the customer how not to be a dick. Backwards, I thought, but I have to read it now. I try not to be controversial, honestly I don’t, but I [...]

Should The Coffee Industry Keep The Riffraff Out?

Jack — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 14:25:49 +0000

When I was at a Specialty Coffee of America (SCAA) Leadership Summit a couple of years ago a discussion was breathed out...and quickly inhaled back in ("Whew, we didn't want to go there, did we?..."): Should 'the specialty kids' allow 'the riffraff' into the club? In other words, at what point do the rich kids, I mean the specialty coffee industry, lose their “specialness” and become just another club that lets anyone in the door? The discussion was based on who the SCAA should admit, or maybe better stated "encourage to join" as members? Should we allow the large chains? What about office coffee supply companies? What about national brands and “grocery store” coffee?

Are You Product Focused Or Customer Focused?

Jack — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 12:11:23 +0000

When we started in business we did not take customers’ drink orders by name – it was by drink. If your name is Suzy and you came into our store and ordered a “12 ounce mocha with whip to go” when your order was ready we called out ”12 ounce mocha with whip to go“. And you walked over to the bar and picked up your drink and left. Bad us. What a missed opportunity. What bad manners on our part. A few years ago we realized the error of our ways and changed our process. And now I am here [...]

Marshall Dillon and Ms. Kitty at the Long Branch Saloon

Jack — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:14:05 +0000

Marshall Matt Dillon (AKA Jack) and Ms. Kitty (AKA Sherry, AKA Daisy Duke meets Starsky & Hutch at a Bee Gee’s concert) run a coffee saloon called JP’s. Well, at least on Halloween they did. Excuses are like armpits. Everyone has them and many of them stink. But, excuses are all I have. It’s been an incredibly busy year topped off with an even busier fall. Lots and lots of training and projects have kept me busy. I love busy, but it has kept me from updating my blog now for about a month! I’m sorry about that and will try [...]

How Food Causes Failure in a Coffeeshop Startup

Jack — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 17:54:56 +0000

Why your menu must come first When opening a coffee business there are many details to attend to and many decisions and choices to make. And there is definitely a proper process to follow to make things work out the best, both as you are getting your store ready to open and once the store is operational. As it pertains to your menu, you may not need to know each individual sandwich, salad and soup, but knowing main categories and a ballpark of how many of each is critical. Storage space, counter space, refrigeration and freezer space will all [...]

How Customer Mood and Your Store Seating Connect

Jack — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:39:55 +0000

Coffeeshops, the new hangout Coffeeshops are unique as retail businesses, where they have to a degree replaced other places. What I mean by that is this: coffeeshops have to a degree replaced living rooms, libraries, offices, and restaurants as gathering places. It’s obvious that people go to coffeeshops for good coffee, but that’s not always what persuades them to choose a particular store and visit often. Different strokes I’ve often said that for every 100 independent coffee shops there are 100 unique stores. Hardly a one of them look alike; have the same layout, furniture, decor and theme. There is [...]

5 Ways to Increase Coffeeshop Average Ticket Size

Jack — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 11:49:14 +0000

I’m open. Now what? OK, so your store is open and you are serving great coffee, but customers aren’t spending as much per transaction as you’d like. Read on to find 5 great ideas to help you increase your store’s average sale and give customers even more great reasons to come back: Give the people what they want 65% of coffeeshop sales take place before 10:30 AM. What have you made available for people to eat when they get coffee? Selling Greek yogurt, Naked® juices, fresh muffins, scones and other baked goods, fruit and yogurt parfaits and more will add to [...]

10 Keys Guaranteed to Bring Coffeeshop Success

Jack — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 13:44:02 +0000

Coffeeshops are supposed to be busy. Busy as in lots of people all day long. Not just because busy = more sales, but a coffeeshop without customers is like serving New York strip to vegetarians – no one is there to enjoy it. ”Success breeds success” goes the old adage, but since success is required to yield more success let’s look at what it takes to be successful. From the Outside – successful coffeeshops have recognizable traits we can see from the outside. Location – Coffeeshops must dissect where people are. To be vibrant and successful means being in a place [...]

Is This a Good Location for a Business?

Jack — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 11:10:30 +0000

It’s all in your perspective The “right location” is often a matter of perspective. Two questions: Would you locate a business in the picture above? If yes, why would you be successful?