To start a coffee shop or roastery in Chile, register your business, secure sanitary/municipal permits, and lock reliable bean supply and equipment suited to local water and power. Form an SpA or EIRL, obtain your RUT, register with the SII, file Inicio de Actividades, and enable electronic invoices/boletas; price with 19% IVA. Validate zoning with the municipality (DOM) and obtain your Patente Comercial; cafés need a Resolución Sanitaria from SEREMI de Salud (washable surfaces, handwash sink, separated storage, pest control, cold chain, cleaning plan) and basic fire safety (extinguishers, clear exits). If roasting, plan gas installation certified by SEC, flue/ventilation, noise control, and a waste chaff plan. Importing green coffee requires a customs broker, DIN, SAG phytosanitary clearance, and supplier certificates; many startups reduce risk by buying from Chilean importers while testing demand. Choose sites by daytime footfall and office density; target rent under 10–12% of sales, COGS 25–32%, labor 20–25%. Install filtered water (target 70–150 ppm, low hardness), 220V/50Hz-compatible gear, and a POS with Transbank/Webpay plus QR wallets. Hire with written contracts, enroll in Previred and a mutual (ACHS/IST), and certify food handlers. Launch with a tight menu, consistent recipes/yields, and a Google Business Profile to drive local discovery.
