How Many Cups of Coffee to Break Even for a Coffee Shop?
The Short Answer
A coffee shop with $8,000/month in fixed costs and $3.50 profit per cup needs to sell about 2,286 cups monthly to break even. That is roughly 76 cups per day.
The Detailed Breakdown
Break-even calculated as fixed costs divided by contribution margin (price minus variable cost per unit).
| Calculation | Value | Assumptions |
|---|---|---|
| Break-Even Volume | 2,286 cups/month | $8,000 / ($5.00 - $1.50) per cup |
| Daily Sales Needed | 76 cups/day | Based on 30 operating days |
| Break-Even Revenue | $11,430/month | 2,286 cups x $5.00 each |
Key Assumptions
- Average cup price of $5.00 with $1.50 in direct costs.
- Fixed costs of $8,000/month (rent, utilities, insurance, base labor).
- Calculation based on coffee sales only, excluding food and merchandise.
Adjust for Your Situation
Sell 76 cups of coffee daily to cover your $8,000 monthly overhead and start making profit.
Use the Free CalculatorWhat Affects This Result
Average Ticket Size
Adding food items can double the average transaction from $5 to $10.
Location
Foot traffic directly determines daily cup count potential.
Rent Percentage
Rent should ideally be under 15% of revenue.