How Much Does It Cost to Open a Coffee Shop in 2026?
Opening a coffee shop in 2026 requires careful cost planning across rent, equipment, labor, technology, menu strategy, marketing, and sustainability.
May 15, 2026
Opening a coffee shop in 2026 requires careful cost planning across rent, equipment, labor, technology, menu strategy, marketing, and sustainability.
May 15, 2026
This AI playbook covers restaurant tools for voice ordering, staffing, compliance, menu pricing, inventory, marketing, ChatGPT prompts, and SEO.
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Hardee’s giant Boddie-Noell inks 31-unit Scooter’s Coffee deal for NC and VA, leveraging drive-thru growth and local roots with rollout over 12–18 months.
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Wingstop turns match weeks into a multi-sensory festival, aligning bold pop-ups with World Cup energy to build brand affinity and measurable momentum.
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The parent company behind Dunkin', Buffalo Wild Wings, and Arby's has filed for an IPO a move that could reshape how Wall Street views the restaurant sector.
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Learn how to develop a memorable restaurant brand identity that stands out in a crowded market, attracts loyal customers, and drives repeat business with actionable strategies and affordable tools.
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Dirty soda chain Swig is expanding into Colorado through a 10-unit franchise deal, riding a consumer beverage trend that's catching the attention of major QSR players nationwide.
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Papa Johns has teamed up with Alphabet's Wing for drone delivery of its new sandwich lineup in parts of Charlotte marking the first partnership of its kind between Wing and a national QSR brand.
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A warm, expert-led look at McDonald’s Q1 results, menu makeover, and the refranchise question shaping its growth.
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A reflective look at Habit Ranch, its immersive desert activation, and what it signals for brand loyalty and mindful, experiential dining.
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Explore the recent bankruptcies in the restaurant industry and the ongoing challenges faced by establishments in the wake of the pandemic.
Photo by Austin Distel
Photo by Austin Distel
The recent filings for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection by World of Beer and Buca di Beppo have sent shockwaves through the restaurant industry, shedding light on the ongoing struggles faced by food and beverage establishments in the wake of the pandemic. World of Beer, a well-known Tampa-based craft-beer franchise, closed 14 locations in the past year, attributing its financial woes to various factors, including disputes with franchisees, the impact of the pandemic on foot traffic, inflation, and the underperformance of certain new locations opened after 2020. On the other hand, the Italian concept Buca di Beppo also faced similar challenges, leading to the closure of over a dozen underperforming locations and the subsequent bankruptcy filing.
The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered the landscape of the restaurant industry, forcing businesses to adapt rapidly to changing consumer behaviors, government restrictions, and economic uncertainties. Even more than four years after the pandemic began, restaurants are still grappling with the aftermath, trying to navigate a path to recovery amidst ongoing challenges. The industry has witnessed a wave of bankruptcies, closures, and restructurings as establishments struggle to survive in a post-pandemic world.
Photo by Austin Distel
One of the notable shifts in the dining experience brought about by the pandemic is the surge in outdoor dining structures to comply with safety regulations and accommodate increased demand for open-air seating. However, as cities like New York grapple with the post-pandemic reality, they are reevaluating the status of these structures and implementing revised rules to ensure safety and sustainability. The recent announcement by New York City of a new outdoor-dining program with stricter regulations highlights the ongoing evolution of dining spaces in response to changing circumstances.