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NJCS Coffee Revenue Streams

  • By James Conti

8 Alternative Revenue Streams for New Jersey Café Owners in a High Coffee Price Environment

In recent months, coffee prices have surged to unprecedented levels, driven by a confluence of factors that have disrupted global supply chains and strained the specialty coffee industry. For New Jersey café owners, this presents a formidable challenge: how to maintain profitability when the cost of your primary product is soaring.

While the price increase certainly poses financial hurdles due to the impact on cost of goods sold (COGS), New Jersey Coffee School and its coffee business classes in New Jersey regularly explore alternative sources of income for cafés. It’s becoming harder to imagine budget-conscious consumers continuing to buy two or three premium coffee drinks a day. With inflation and economic uncertainty, a shift toward a “One and Done” mentality at the café bar is realistic—and concerning.

The Surge in Global Coffee Prices

The price of arabica coffee has reached record highs, with wholesale rates hitting $4.30 per pound in early 2025—doubling from the previous year. Severe droughts and extreme weather in major coffee-producing regions like Brazil and Vietnam have severely impacted crop yields. In some areas of Brazil, farmers report harvest reductions of up to two-thirds due to prolonged droughts and heat waves.
Adding to the pressure are geopolitical issues and trade tariffs. The U.S. has implemented a 10% tariff on imports from Brazil, Ethiopia, and Colombia, with proposed increases on coffee from Vietnam and Indonesia. These policies have increased the cost of raw coffee beans, while also disrupting supply chains and contributing to volatile prices.
As of COB May 1, 2025:
Coffee Revenue Streams

Diversifying Revenue Streams: Beyond the Coffee Cup

1. Offer Coffee Brewing Classes and Barista Training

With the growing popularity of home brewing and specialty equipment, cafés can generate new income by offering coffee education. Classes on how to brew café-quality coffee at home, identify different types of beans, and perfect latte art are in high demand.

A popular class at New Jersey Coffee School is the Precision Brewing class, which offers several easy and cost-effective brewing methods. Café owners can also retail whole beans to promote local coffee roasting in NJ, capturing second or third cups of a consumer’s day via beans brewed at home or in the office.

If you’re searching for barista training near Newark, Jersey City, or Hoboken, NJCS offers accessible in-person courses throughout the year.

2. Transform Unused Space into Coworking Zones

With hybrid work models still popular, cafés can convert underutilized corners into cozy coworking spaces. Offering high-speed Wi-Fi, charging stations, and comfortable seating in exchange for a daily or monthly fee can create consistent income and attract a different type of clientele.
Cafés in New Jersey offering coworking solutions are beginning to stand out by building loyal daytime traffic from remote workers, freelancers, and students.

3. Expand Food Offerings and Menu Variety

Expanding the café menu to include healthy food options—such as smoothies, salads, or baked goods—can appeal to a broader audience. In cafés with space or kitchen limitations, collaborating with a local bakery or restaurant can help deliver value without increasing operational overhead.

4. Sell Branded Merchandise

Selling branded items like coffee mugs, tote bags, and reusable cups adds another layer of income while enhancing brand awareness. Consider partnering with local artists for limited-edition products that reflect your community.

5. Launch a Coffee Subscription Service

Coffee subscriptions—whether for unlimited in-store drinks or monthly deliveries of freshly roasted beans—can build recurring revenue and deepen customer loyalty. Subscription services are ideal for customers who value convenience and consistency.

6. Offer Event Catering and Office Coffee Services

Providing coffee catering services in New Jersey for corporate events or private gatherings can boost brand exposure and tap into new market segments. Your existing team can manage small-scale catering with minimal investment.

7. Host Community Events and Workshops

Transform your café into a cultural hub by hosting events such as poetry nights, art shows, or live music. Offering creative coffee workshops in New Jersey—like latte art or home brewing classes—adds cultural value and encourages repeat visits.

8. Retail House-Made Products

If your café makes its own flavored syrups, pastries, or sauces, consider packaging them for retail. This allows customers to bring the café experience home and boosts revenue without relying solely on drink sales.

Conclusion: Build a Resilient Café Business in New Jersey

The current coffee price crisis poses major challenges for café owners in New Jersey. However, by exploring diverse revenue streams and implementing innovative business models, it’s possible to reduce dependency on single-product sales and maintain a profitable coffee shop. Adaptability and creativity will be critical to not just surviving but thriving in this evolving market.

Also Read: The Future of Coffee: How Artificial Intelligence and Digital Labor Are Changing an Industry

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