Di Bella tells cafe owners to wake up and smell the coffee

The number of cafes in Queensland has ballooned but lack of customers means many are struggling to keep their doors open.

Coffee tsar Phil Di Bella is on a mission to save the local independent cafe.

The founder of the Di Bella Coffee brand and now boss of The Coffee Commune says the number of cafes in Queensland exceeds what they were post-pandemic as people seek to be their own boss or pursue a dream to open their own business.

But Di Bella says that unfortunately the number of customers aren’t rising at the same pace. Research by the Coffee Commune found that nationwide there were 142,000 employees working in just over 26,000 cafes, of which there are about 5000 outlets in Queensland.

Di Bella says the number of cafes dipped during the pandemic to about 20,000, but has rebounded quickly over the past year.

“However, customers are yet to join in this resurgence,” he says. “Analysts expect the path out of Covid-19 to be cautious, exacerbated by increased cost-of-living pressures slowing the return of customers.”

Phil Di Bella says cafes facing tough times.

Di Bella says people are motivated to open a cafe because they want to become their own boss, enjoy meeting people or keep a family tradition going. But often a lack of preparation, lack of a “brand” or poor location results in the cafe struggling.

He says the keys to success include cultivating brand loyalty, reaching new customers and reducing the time spent running the cafe so owners can focus on improving business skills.

Di Bella points out that about 70 per cent of small businesses do not have a formal marketing plan.

He says the research found that the real risks to small business included labour and material costs, failure to attract customers and availability of skills and staffing.

The Coffee Commune is holding a series of master classes covering marketing and training over the next couple of months.

Revive Financial head of business restructuring and insolvency Jarvis Archer says a high level of insolvency among retail and hospitality businesses was expected for at least the first half of 2024.

Lunar celebration

The Australia China Business Council and China Chamber of Commerce in Australia hosted 350 guests at the Sofitel Brisbane Central this month to celebrate the arrival of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Guests included Agricultural Minister Mark Furner, opposition multiculturalism spokesman John-Paul Langbroek, ACBC national chief executive Tom Parker, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner; Chinese consul general Dr Ruan Zongze and PetroChina Internatioanal deputy general manager Luo Zhangang.

Brisbane welcomes Lunar new year.

Silly spot 

Queensland-based discount chain Silly Solly’s is preparing to open its biggest superstore yet in Brisbane’s western suburbs. Silly Solly founder Solly Stanton tells your diarist the new store at the Bellbowrie Plaza Shopping Centre is testament to the growing demand for budget items at the chain where the slogan is “nothing over $5”. “It is an exciting chapter in the brand’s expansion journey,” Stanton says.

Tatts non-event

Next month’s committee elections at the Brisbane Tattersall’s Club, aka The Queen St Workers Club, has turned into a non-event. Club chief executive Simon Proctor has told members that only one nomination was received for each of the roles of president, vice-president and four committee positions, so no ballot will be required.