To start a coffee business in Jordan, choose your model (high-footfall café, kiosk, or roastery-café) and line up permits early: register an LLC at the Companies Control Department, get a Tax ID with the Income & Sales Tax Department (16% GST applies), enroll staff in Social Security, then secure a vocational license from your municipality (GAM in Amman) plus Civil Defense fire approval and food‑handler health cards. Lock a street‑visible site near offices, universities, or Abdali/Rainbow corridors; expect “key money” and negotiate fit‑out rent‑free periods. For roasting, add Ministry of Environment emissions clearance, JSMO compliance, and JFDA food registration; import green beans via Aqaba for smoother clearance. Specify a 2–3 group 220V machine, 75mm grinder, and robust water filtration to handle Amman’s hard water; budget JOD 20–40k for fit‑out and equipment. Localize the menu (Arabic/Turkish coffee with cardamom, date‑sweetened drinks, lactose‑free/plant milks), and price to a JOD 2–4 core ticket. Enable card/contactless and mobile wallets (Zain Cash, Orange Money) and list on Talabat/Careem for delivery. Train bilingual baristas, standardize recipes, and set preventive maintenance for scale buildup. Comply with e‑invoicing, display prices tax‑inclusive, and track COGS weekly to keep gross margin above 65%. Open soft, iterate menu from feedback daily.
