To start a coffee shop in Uzbekistan, register as an Individual Entrepreneur or LLC (MChJ) via my.gov.uz/Yagona darcha, secure a lease, and connect a fiscalized POS with the State Tax Committee. Obtain sanitary-epidemiological approval, fire safety sign-off, staff medical books; apply for signage with the hokimiyat. Choose your tax regime (turnover tax vs VAT) based on a 12-month forecast; open a bank account, enable Uzcard and Humo acquiring, and add Click and Payme QR. Select a site with 600–1000 daily footfall near offices or universities; verify ≥10 kW three-phase power, 2–3 bar water, drainage, and ventilation. Budget roughly $25k–$60k: 2-group espresso machine $4k–$8k, grinder $800–$2k, filtration $500–$1.5k, renovation $8k–$20k, inventory $1.5k–$4k, plus 2–3 months working capital. If importing equipment or beans, plan for customs duties and 12% VAT; a licensed broker shortens clearance, otherwise buy from established Uzbek roasters. Build a tight menu targeting beverage COGS 20–30% and food 30–35%; standardize espresso: 18 g in, 36 g out, 27–30 s, 92–94°C; water alkalinity ~50–100 ppm. Hire trained baristas, formalize contracts, budget employer social tax, implement HACCP SOPs. List on Google, Yandex, and 2GIS; market via Telegram and Instagram; aim for 120–180 cups per day to break even in busy areas.
