If you’ve ever dreamed of opening a coffee shop, you’re not alone. Many baristas and coffee lovers imagine turning their passion into a cozy local business.
But a recent Reddit thread shows the reality isn’t so cozy. Many small coffee shop owners say they work longer hours, earn less money, and give up job security for a lot more stress.
“Anyone who owns a coffee shop or a coffee business barely makes any livable money,” wrote the original poster.
“The reason most open a coffee shop is because they are really passionate about coffee… but in reality, working a 9–5 job is much better with guaranteed pay, holidays, and a stress-free mind.”
High Risk, Low Margin
The OP shared the story of a friend who left a $95,000-per-year tech job with unlimited PTO to run a specialty coffee shop.
Despite pulling in $700,000 in annual revenue, he now nets just $70,000 and only takes one day off a week.
“If your friend runs the shop, then he owns a JOB, not a business,” one person replied.
Another added, “Most food and beverage businesses only become profitable at scale or when paired with something like roasting, distribution, or catering.”
In the food world, a 10% profit margin is standard, even considered good by many. But in the Reddit thread, one commenter responded to this idea with sarcasm, writing, “70k on 700k revenue is really good 😂,” pointing to the disconnect between margin percentages and real-life workload.
Others echoed that sentiment, saying the real issue isn’t the margin, it’s the lifestyle and expectations.
More Than Just Coffee
Many commenters pointed out that being passionate about coffee isn’t enough.
“Cafes aren’t about coffee, for the most part,” one person wrote. “They’re about whatever the customer gets out of being in that space.”
Others criticized would-be owners who romanticize the idea without preparing for the grind.
“People always have the idea to open a coffee shop, but have never been a barista… If you like the idea and it sounds fun, you’re gonna get your ass kicked,” said one experienced owner.
Multiple shop owners chimed in with similar stories: low pay, long hours, and the constant hustle just to stay afloat.
One said they made $120,000 a year but had to work as the main barista and manage everything personally.
Another said they grossed $500,000 but took home less than they could working at fast food.
Scale, Systems, or Side Hustles
The few stories of success came from those who did more than pour coffee.
One roaster sourced beans directly from farmers and wholesaled to other shops. Another ran a takeaway-only model with low rent and efficient systems.
“You need to automate, delegate, see how u can expand, give the best prices for customers,” one person said.
“Being strategic and being passionate are very different things.”
Others emphasized that location, branding, and unique offerings made a big difference.
Drive-thru-only stands, mobile coffee trailers, and coffee booths at flea markets were often more profitable than sit-down shops.
9–5 Looks Pretty Good
The thread also included a strong reality check about the tradeoffs. While some users admired the entrepreneurial spirit, many questioned if the payoff was worth it.
Some suggested that owning a shop makes sense only if you’re already financially comfortable.
“I would only open a cafe if I had enough wealth to run it as a passion project and loss leader,” one person admitted.
Despite the challenges, some insisted it’s still a dream worth chasing, just not for everyone.
“Most founders burn out because they’re running on passion instead of process,” one person wrote.
Running a coffee shop might look like living the dream. But according to dozens of owners, ex-owners, and industry veterans, the dream is often just a lot of hard work and hustle, with no guaranteed paycheck and no real time off.
For many, that old 9–5 gig starts to look like a blessing in disguise.