Coffee shop business setup Ireland: secure a compliant premises and register your Food Business with the HSE at least 28 days before opening, then hardwire HACCP and allergen controls into your menu, training, and POS from day one. Choose structure early (sole trader or LTD), register with CRO/Revenue, and register for VAT when you’ll exceed €37,500 (services) or €75,000 (goods); most cafes are catering/services at 13.5% VAT, with some items at 23%, so map VAT codes per SKU. Premises: confirm planning use for café/restaurant, obtain Fire Safety and (if material works) Disability Access Certificates, and budget for grease trap/trade‑effluent, food‑waste segregation, and a permitted waste contract. Utilities: 32A single‑phase (or 3‑phase) power, 3/4" cold‑water feed at 2–4 bar plus filtration, and a floor drain near the machine. Licences: IMRO/PPI music, outdoor seating/street‑furniture permit. Hire and onboard staff with PAYE Modernisation, terms, Food Safety training, and compliant rosters. Insurance: public/employers liability, product, and business interruption. Commercials: get a rates estimate from the council, validate footfall vs rent, secure a rent‑free fit‑out period and break clause, and cost recipes to a target gross margin. Operations: service‑contract your espresso kit, integrate EPoS + inventory, and keep an allergen matrix and daily temperature logs.
