Being a café owner is one of the toughest yet most rewarding jobs out there. A specialty cafe is more than just a business, it’s a founding stone of the community. It’s not just about making great coffee; it's about running a sustainable business that can thrive in a competitive world. To help you along the way, here are five must-read books every café owner should get their hands on.
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
Managing your money can be a headache, but Profit First flips the usual thinking on its head. Instead of the classic formula of sales minus expenses equals profit, Mike suggests paying yourself first. The formula becomes: sales minus profit equals expenses. Sounds simple, but it works wonders. Set up different bank accounts for income, profit, owner’s pay, taxes and operating expenses. You then divvy up your revenue into these accounts—start small and grow as you go. This forces you to be more efficient and mindful of your spending. It’s about taking control, paying yourself regularly and transforming your café from a money pit into a profitable venture.
Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
Unreasonable Hospitality is all about going the extra mile in customer service. Will Guidara's message is simple: make your customers feel special. Go beyond what's expected. Whether it’s a warm welcome or remembering a regular’s name, those little things make all the difference. Empower your team to make decisions that create magical experiences for your customers. By focusing on details, anticipating customer needs and genuinely caring, you’ll build loyalty and create a café that people keep coming back to—not just for the coffee but for the feeling they get when they walk in.
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
Running a café means you’re managing a team and Patrick Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team will help you do just that. It lays out the common problems that hold teams back—lack of trust, fear of conflict, no commitment, avoiding accountability and ignoring results. To get your team firing on all cylinders, start by building trust, encourage open and honest conversations, make sure everyone’s on board with decisions, hold each other accountable and focus on team success over individual wins. When your team works well together, your café will too.
The 4 Disciplines of Execution by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, and Jim Huling
Juggling the day-to-day operations of a café while keeping an eye on bigger goals can be tricky. That’s where The 4 Disciplines of Execution comes in. The book gives you a clear framework for achieving those big goals without getting lost in the daily grind. The four disciplines are: 1) Focus on what's most important, 2) Act on lead measures (the actions that drive results), 3) Keep a simple scoreboard to track progress and 4) Create a rhythm of accountability by having regular check-ins with your team. This approach helps you stay focused on your big goals while managing the hustle of daily life in the café.
Start with Why by Simon Sinek
Start with Why reminds you to dig deep and figure out why you opened your café in the first place. Simon Sinek’s key message is that people don’t just buy what you do—they buy why you do it. When you have a clear purpose, whether it's creating a community hub or serving the best coffee in town, it guides everything you do—from the menu to how you treat customers. Sharing that “why” with your team and customers helps build loyalty and people who connect with your purpose will keep coming back.
And as a bonus:
Good to Great by Jim Collins
If your café is already doing well but you want to take it to the next level, Good to Great by Jim Collins is your playbook. Collins talks about what it takes to turn a good business into a great one. The key ideas include: being a humble leader with determination (Level 5 Leadership), getting the right people on board before making big decisions, facing the hard facts while staying optimistic and focusing on what you’re truly passionate about and good at (your Hedgehog Concept). It’s about staying disciplined and using technology wisely to build momentum and keep improving over time.
Conclusion
Owning a specialty café isn’t just about making coffee; it’s about creating a business that’s profitable, sustainable, welcoming and built on strong foundations. Whether it’s managing your finances smarter, offering top-notch hospitality, building a strong team, staying focused on big goals, understanding your purpose, or turning a good café into a great one—these books offer practical advice and fresh perspectives to help you along the way. Grab a coffee, start reading and get ready to take your café to the next level! I'd also love to hear what books you've found helpful or if you'd like some other reading suggestions, we'd love to hear from you!
