Ideas for the Internet Cafe
Todo List and Ideas on how to build the Internet cafe
- Games, Computers, Consoles, Fax, Copy, Bill pay, Rentals, Movies, Theater, Food services, snack bar style.
- Electronic Books, magazines, hardware / software sales.
- Arcade, Game room -- Ping pong, air hockey, pool hall, special events -- Competitions, kareoke
- Training, seminars, how to sessions, audio studio / video studio / video editing.
- LOCATION: Look for location, near school, walk in traffic, nice building / warehouse
- BUSINESS PLAN -- Cpa, management, banking. payment systems like paypal, credit card, cash.
- MONEY: Startup costs, Investors.
- Obtain permits
- Find and ISP and make a deal with them for high speed service
- Hotspots -- wifi
- Alarm / Security system.
- Design -- Food proof, prevent damage to equipment. Encase the equip. User don’t handle the media
- Electrical requirements. Don’t overload the circuits. Heating / Cooling / Battery backup
- Become and ISP / Co -- locate / House servers
- Networking gear / Billing software /
- Hire technical employees
- Promote the cafe / business.
- Get feedback, offer surveys
- Management software --
- Resources : 1, 2, 3, 4
- Toads Gaming Center in Redlands Ca -- 1 hour -- $3, all day Sun -- Thur -- $15, All Day Fri -- Sat $20
- Unused hourly time stays on your account, Day passes expire at the end of the day
- Partys -- 2 hour blocks, 5 people min 20 max.
The following is based on hourly use patrons, no food etc…
- Max income: 6 days, 12 hour days, 1 day 14 hours. Max occup 50 people. 86 hours a week x 50 x 3 = $12, 900 a week, or $51,600 a month.
- Average income: 50% = $6,450 week or $25,800 month, 25% = $3,235 week or $12,900 month
Expense:
- Min wage is $8.00/ hour -- so 4 people at 86 hours x $8.00/ hour = $688 a week * 2 for state fees = $1376 a week
- Rent -- Say $1000 / month
- Electric, water, gas, trash = say $500 month
- insurance, operating permits, city fees $100 / month
- Internet access $350/month for full t1 1024 up/down
- 2 games for $22.95 month at gamefly -- 50 stations = $1147.50 month
- 3% per transaction via credit card fees
- 10 PS3 * 300 = $3000
- 10 XBOX 360 *300 = $3000
- 48 port 10/100 switch $2500
- Router / firewall / PC / Business Server $2500
- 30 computers $1000 each $30,000
- 50 42″ LCD Monitor/TV = $25,000
- 50 Stations with lazyboy chairs $25,000
- Vending machine $2500
- Cleaning supplies / janitorial / Hardware maintenance and cleaning $200 month
Tags: business ideas, internet cafe
Another thought to add here would be contests, perhaps a “Win-a-game” contest or “Win-a-Timecard” to entice customers. I’ll be checking tomorrow and next week on city ordinances, etc.
Great, keep the ideas coming. I can see this thing expanding like crazy. We just need to create a roadmap and a time line so that we can focus on what is needed. Startup is always the hardest, as you need to plan like crazy. Create a todo list and have a check off list to show what needs to be done next.
We are in the discovery phase, gathering information, cost analysis and refining ideas.
We need to come up with a clever name, and start a blog for the business. With my current ISP, I can startup another website including the domain name.
I have found some business plan templates:
http://www.EquityNet.com
Photos
I had an Idea awhile back for the name BigByte Internet Cafe - (With an image of a computer item, a monitor, cpu, or disk with a large bite taken out of it) – Sorta a play on names…But we can continue to brainstorm for another if you don’t like it. Also I was wondering what about scaling back the initial size of the cafe. What about 20 – 25 stations and 5 360′s, PS3′s? Would that cut operational costs by much? Also how about 2 employees to start, or Me, and 1 other. Then we’d only have to “PAY” 1 employee.
Wrightwood Chamber of commerce $100 / year (website)
you: Looking to start an internet cafe in Wrightwood, ca. We will need high speed internet, FIOS prefered. Is there anything you can offer?
Dean: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. How can I help you experience the cutting-edge technology of our High Speed Internet?
Dean: Thank you for considering Verizon services.
Dean: Let me send you a link to check the availability of Internet service at your number/location.
you: I am there now… disappointed
you: 3m/768k
you: need at least 10m or more
Dean: We do offer upto 7.1 mbps speed plan with High SPeed Internet service however, it depends upon your location. It means that at your location you can get upto 3 mbps speed plan at this time.
Dean: You may proceed with available speed plan at this time however, later on you can upgrade to higher speed plan when it becomes available at your location we’ll inform you.
Dean: With our 30-day money-back guarantee, you can go ahead and place your order today. If you or your manager decide you don’t want the service, you can cancel within 30 days of activation to get a full refund of all Verizon Online service charges. Return all equipment within 30 days of cancellation to get a full refund of equipment charges.
you: ok, another question. We would like to become a mini ISP, and I know that may be a conflict of interest. Do you offer support?
you: We plan on having about 40 workstations for gaming and high speed internet access…
Dean: You may contact Verizon business office for that.
you: ok, will do. Contact number?
Dean: I would be glad to provide you a contact number .
Dean: You can call us at 800-483-5000, Mon – Fri 8 am – 9 pm EST; Sat 9 am – 5 pm EST.
you: Ok, thank you very much. You have been very helpful.
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