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Starting first business- a drive thru!

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Pville02

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Update:
My partner just accepted a job out of state, so he has backed out of the business. He offered to continue to help get it up and running, but I think they’ll be gone before we open.
I’m torn on this because I like the idea of being the sole owner, but I have a full time job and dont really have the time to lone wolf this thing. It also means I’ll have to find all the upfront cash on my own now.
The options are find another partner to help with startup costs, or just find a manager to run the day to day, still leaving me with the full financial burden. I don’t like the idea of being so reliant on a manager, but it is what it is. Lots to think about and any advice would be much appreciated.
 
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DougeFreshAK

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I hate soda due to the sugar content and obesity it causes. That being said I do like Zevia “soda”, no calories and sweeted with Stevia ( healthy from what they say but who knows). Health conscious crowds are growing so healthy options would be nice.
 

Kid

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Update:
My partner just accepted a job out of state, so he has backed out of the business. He offered to continue to help get it up and running, but I think they’ll be gone before we open.
I’m torn on this because I like the idea of being the sole owner, but I have a full time job and dont really have the time to lone wolf this thing. It also means I’ll have to find all the upfront cash on my own now.
The options are find another partner to help with startup costs, or just find a manager to run the day to day, still leaving me with the full financial burden. I don’t like the idea of being so reliant on a manager, but it is what it is. Lots to think about and any advice would be much appreciated.

Searching for a new partner now ,when you need him, would put you in negotiation's disadvantage.
If he/she would know that you need him to start he might try to negotiate higher shares in the business or overall better deal for him.
It would be hard to find genuine partner interested in creating business and not the favorable deal.
So i guess manager route would be harder but better.

Maybe some forum members with more experience could chime in?
 

Pville02

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I hate soda due to the sugar content and obesity it causes. That being said I do like Zevia “soda”, no calories and sweeted with Stevia ( healthy from what they say but who knows). Health conscious crowds are growing so healthy options would be nice.

Thanks for your comments. I honestly don’t love soda either, and I agree it’s worth having some healthier options.


Searching for a new partner now ,when you need him, would put you in negotiation's disadvantage.
If he/she would know that you need him to start he might try to negotiate higher shares in the business or overall better deal for him.
It would be hard to find genuine partner interested in creating business and not the favorable deal.
So i guess manager route would be harder but better.

Maybe some forum members with more experience could chime in?

Thanks for your comments and you bring up a good point. I think that whoever I bring on board, I will need to find a way to incentive them with either ownership or bonuses on revenue.

I didnt sleep much last night and came to the decision that I will never forgive myself if I don’t do everything I can to try and make this work, so I’m making a list of everyone I know that might be interested and is able to add value and go from there. Finding the money is another immediate issue.
 
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Pville02

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Minor update:
Found a new partner who is willing to help run the shop and also invest about 20k. He has entrepreneurial experience which is a huge plus.

We are currently looking at 2 locations. One is absolutely prime but they are asking 4100 a month in rent, but the location is probably one of the busiest intersections in town. For a startup, the monthly rent is pretty risky in my eyes. My partner is all about it though.

The other location is good, not great, but only 1k a month in rent and they would help cover some of the land improvement costs. Probably makes more sense for a startup, but not nearly the traffic as the other site.

The more expensive site seems like a “swing for the fence”, and the upside is tremendous. There is significant downside risk, which I struggle with.

We have also met with the city to discuss our idea and they loved it and are being veybhelpfult, which was surprising. Anyway, just wanted to send an update since so many have contributed words of advice. Maybe I just need to nut up and go for broke, but as a lifelong slowlaner, I find excuses are easy to come by. Thanks again!
 

minivanman

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Those intersections that are TOO busy are not good either. It becomes a cluster and people drive right by. It happened to a coffee place here. Intersection is busy as hell but never anyone at the business. Plus, I think they thought if they opened the doors people would drive through.... not a lot of advertising and what little they did wasn't very good. Are either of you great at advertising and marketing?
 

PizzaOnTheRoof

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Minor update:
Found a new partner who is willing to help run the shop and also invest about 20k. He has entrepreneurial experience which is a huge plus.

We are currently looking at 2 locations. One is absolutely prime but they are asking 4100 a month in rent, but the location is probably one of the busiest intersections in town. For a startup, the monthly rent is pretty risky in my eyes. My partner is all about it though.

The other location is good, not great, but only 1k a month in rent and they would help cover some of the land improvement costs. Probably makes more sense for a startup, but not nearly the traffic as the other site.

The more expensive site seems like a “swing for the fence”, and the upside is tremendous. There is significant downside risk, which I struggle with.

We have also met with the city to discuss our idea and they loved it and are being veybhelpfult, which was surprising. Anyway, just wanted to send an update since so many have contributed words of advice. Maybe I just need to nut up and go for broke, but as a lifelong slowlaner, I find excuses are easy to come by. Thanks again!
Marketing (or lack of) will be the death of you, and I agree with minivan that the intersection might be too busy and become a traffic jam.

I would partner with some local advertisers, offer their employees/higher ups vouchers to the drive thru in exchange for some “free” airtime.

The product cost to you is significantly less than paying full retail for adverts.
 
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Pville02

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Thanks for your comments and both bring up good points. I hesitate to describe either of us as great marketers but we will definitely need to sit down and come up with a marketing plan. I like the idea of working out some type of trade.

I also agree that an intersection that is too busy can end up being counterproductive. The site that’s less busy has a lot more room to help with the flow of customers and we could build a littler bigger building as well.

Thanks again for your comments!
 

PizzaOnTheRoof

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Thanks for your comments and both bring up good points. I hesitate to describe either of us as great marketers but we will definitely need to sit down and come up with a marketing plan. I like the idea of working out some type of trade.

I also agree that an intersection that is too busy can end up being counterproductive. The site that’s less busy has a lot more room to help with the flow of customers and we could build a littler bigger building as well.

Thanks again for your comments!
Barter is an excellent way for new businesses to get ahead.

Just a though: I effing hate pulling out of a parking lot right on the corner. Forget about it if you need to get in the far lane.

Maybe look for a location along a busy road rather than an intersection?

There’s drive thru coffee stands in San Antonio that I presume are doing well and none that I have seen are on a corner.

Just some food for thought.
 

Ernman

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Just a though: I effing hate pulling out of a parking lot right on the corner. Forget about it if you need to get in the far lane.

Maybe look for a location along a busy road rather than an intersection?

There’s drive thru coffee stands in San Antonio that I presume are doing well and none that I have seen are on a corner.
I'm inclined to agree Pizza. Corners and intersections are a pain and there seems to be a psychology that says just get through the intersection. But a street with good traffic and easy on/off. Now that's a different situation.
 
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PizzaOnTheRoof

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I'm inclined to agree Pizza. Corners and intersections are a pain and there seems to be a psychology that says just get through the intersection. But a street with good traffic and easy on/off. Now that's a different situation.
Yep. There’s a very busy road where I live and along it is a strip center with one giant parking lot and multiple entrances/exits seemingly randomly placed.

Some fruit vendors set up during the summer and sell out of their trailers.

Plenty of space for a small drive thru stand.

I’ve thought about checking into putting a drive thru something there but ultimately I don’t think I’d like the business.
 

Marty Foley

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The target audience is essentially moms in minivans looking for some caffeine and a treat.

3 suggestions:

1. Consider broadening your market, because "moms in minivans looking for some caffeine and a treat" is pretty narrow.

2. Of course, let the market point the direction the business should take. You may find that you do better offering more (or different) things.

3. Be careful with business partnerships; they often go south.
 

Pville02

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I don’t disagree about how much it blows trying to pull out onto the road at a busy corner. The less busy location, while it is a corner, isn’t congested at all, doesn’t have a light or stop sign to slow traffic, and has 3 separate exits. I don’t see traffic flow as much of a concern.

I hadn’t really bought about it for the other location though, so I’m glad it’s been brought up.
 
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Pville02

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3 suggestions:

1. Consider broadening your market, because "moms in minivans looking for some caffeine and a treat" is pretty narrow.

2. Of course, let the market point the direction the business should take. You may find that you do better offering more (or different) things.

3. Be careful with business partnerships; they often go south.

100% agree on all acounts.

1. While that may be the main target audience, we aren’t ignoring anyone.

2. We plan on starting with a simple menu and letting the customers dictate what else they want.

3. I’d love to go solo, but my career and risk tolerance with my family’s finances with my first venture require me to partner up. I have a ton of respect for people that can bet it all on themselves, but I’m just not wired that way.
 

PizzaOnTheRoof

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I’d love to go solo, but my career and risk tolerance with my family’s finances with my first venture require me to partner up. I have a ton of respect for people that can bet it all on themselves, but I’m just not wired that way.
Maybe a joint venture with a local successful coffee chain (or similar) could give you necessary capital/support...and they would have experience in the drink biz. You could offer them a % of revenue/equity.

Also, not trying to beat a dead horse, but consider a location within walking distance of a middle school or high school.

Add a walk-up window with an after-school happy hour group discount

You'd be so slammed you wouldn't know what to do.

Of course, this can all be implemented after you've validated the idea...I'll stop...lol

Good luck man!
 
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Pville02

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Hey I love all the suggestions! We actually looked at being near some schools for that very reason but all the land owners are holding out for a big time business or want a 10 year lease. I think you’re right though. Once we validate the idea, we can really dig deep.
 
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