Vendor Discussion Boards > Commercial Hardware discussion
Factors in starting a coffee roasting business
Abqbomb:
I didn't realize the Chinese roaster had that much capacity but trust your numbers. I think my point was more that do you really think you can move that much coffee? Great if you can! On the Chinese roaster, are parts readily available as well as service? Personally, I'd look at Ambex, Probat, or similar, or maybe a nice Coffee Crafters Artisan fluid bed roaster. I think Aaron from this site got one recently and it looks like a great machine. If your livelihood depends upon the roaster, make sure it's something that is easily serviceable and for which parts are readily available. Just my 2 cents, which means it isn't worth anything, but best of luck and let us know which roaster you decide upon.
Chris
Ascholten:
Now that you are roasting over 5 Lbs of coffee at a shot, I believe you now are considered a 'polluter'. You will need a scrubber system to clean up your smoke before you release it to the air, and collect particulate matter, and chaff. It will of course have to be a certified system, approved by the government, installed by an approved contractor bla bla. $$$$. I don't know if fire suppression will apply too, think Gaylord system over a range or grill. As one starts doing some things in bigger quantities, they find that certain rules and regulations kick in, and that compliance can get VERY costly.
I hate to sound negative, but after starting my own business, got a very rude awakening on how expensive shit can get. Now if you are into customer service, and dealing with food, umm yah. Wait until danny the dirt bag decides he wants to make your business, his business, and conveniently slips and falls on the coffee he just spilled. Insurance can get costly too. If you are doing just roasted coffee it shouldn't be too bad, but any other food items and now we are talking bonded warehouses and all kinds of insanity.
Aaron
Yardbirdaa:
To me, starting a business is like having your first child - if you wait until you are ready, you will never be ready. Write a plan that looks great. Do some research,but don't obsess about it. As far as getting in to restaurants, alot of owners don't look at coffee like we do. They find the cheapest stuff their customers will tolerate. You have to be willing to flex on wholesale, because the restaurant supply companies have a fairly strong grip on cheap coffee. Jump in, and see where it goes.
breauxj10:
Chris - I'm not looking at any Chinese roasters. My eyes are on US Roaster Corp or Mill City. Any knowledge on either of those?
I want the core of the business to be coffee roasting - maybe with a coffee tasting area and small storefront concept. I have friends who went into the restaurant business and they always talk about how they're on edge b/c of all the hidden costs. He almost lost 10k overnight inventory because a walk in fridge system malfunctioned, luckily they had more than one fridge. I want to completely avoid/minimize food if we do some sort of storefront.
Good advice on not obsessing over the biz plan. A business is nothing until it's something.
Abqbomb:
If you go down a few threads in this Commercial Hardware section, there's a long thread about Mill City Roasters. I don't personally have any experience with that company, but my understanding is the roasters they are selling are made in China.
Chris
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