A typical coffee cart in the US that's still open after three years brings in $10.1k a month ($121k a year) and keeps about $21 of every $100. That leaves about $25.5k a year.
The top 10% make more than $24.8k a month. The bottom 10% make under $4.1k.
Thinking of starting a coffee cart?
- Typical cost to start
- $15.2k
- Still open after 3 years
- 53%
Monthly revenue by year
For businesses still trading at each point.
| Year | Bottom 25% | Typical | Top 25% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $2,400 | $4,300 | $7,500 | $12,600 |
| Year 3 | $6,300 | $10,100 | $16,200 | $24,800 |
| Year 5 | $7,900 | $13,200 | $21,800 | $34,400 |
Year 3 monthly revenue
How much does it cost to start?
Typical cost to start: $15,200.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Cart or converted trike | $8,200 |
| Espresso machine & grinder | $4,400 |
| Insurance | $500 |
| Branding | $900 |
| Initial stock | $1,100 |
Where the money goes
Share of revenue for a typical business in year three.
How many survive?
53% are still trading after three years, and 45% after five. These are the reasons owners gave for closing:
What the successful ones do
- Secured a weekday pitch with office footfall
- Booked private events and weddings on weekends
- Sold beans and subscriptions online
How to start one, step by step
Verified coffee carts on HumDays
Kaffeewagen Mira
“Pitch first, coffee second. I moved spots twice before it worked.”
Bean There Coffee Cart
“The pitch at the station is the business. The cart is just a cart.”
Questions people ask
Is a coffee cart profitable?
Usually, if it survives. A typical coffee cart in the US keeps about $21 of every $100 in sales by year three, which on typical sales leaves about $25.5k a year. 47% close within three years.
How much does it cost to start a coffee cart?
The typical cost to start is $15.9k. The biggest items are cart or converted trike and espresso machine & grinder.
How long until a coffee cart makes a profit?
A typical business had its first profitable month after 4 months. Side-hustle starts took about two months longer.
Why do coffee carts fail?
The most common reason owners give is “poor pitch or location” (35% of closures), followed by “weather & seasonality” (22%).
Is a coffee cart seasonal?
Busiest May–September. Survivors plan cash around the quiet months.
Ask coffee cart owners
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