How to Start a Cat Cafe in 9 Steps

When you’re trying to start a business as an animal lover, you might start wondering how to start a cat cafe so that you can share your passion for cuddly creatures with the world. But what do you need to consider when you want to open one? And what’s the first step to opening a cat cafe? 

Our guide will take you through the details so that you can start offering that unique blend of cafe relaxation and feline companionship.  

What’s a cat cafe? 

A cat café is a type of café or coffeehouse where customers can enjoy drinks and snacks while spending time with resident cats. These cafés allow people to relax in a comfortable environment while interacting with the cats, often in a cozy, home-like setting. The cats are usually free to roam around, and visitors can pet them, play with them, or simply watch them. 

They offer a therapeutic experience for cat lovers and can also serve as a space for people who can't own pets but enjoy being around them. Some cat cafés focus on adoption, with the cats available for adoption through partnerships with animal shelters.

How does a cat cafe work?

So how do cat cafes work? Customers pay a cover charge or hourly fee to spend time in the cat lounge area. This fee helps cover the costs of caring for the cats and maintaining the lounge. The cover charge model ensures that only serious customers enter, creating a more relaxed environment for both the cats and visitors. 

The cafe area serves drinks and snacks, separate from the cat lounge for health and safety reasons. This separation ensures that food preparation and consumption remain hygienic, complying with food safety regulations. Customers can enjoy their beverages and snacks in a designated area before or after spending time with the cats. 

The cat lounge area is designed to be a comfortable and engaging space for cats and customers. This space includes cozy nooks, climbing structures, and plenty of toys to keep the cats entertained. Comfortable seating arrangements allow customers to relax and interact with the cats in a stress-free environment. The design should cater to the cats' natural behaviors and provide them with plenty of hiding spots and elevated perches. 

Staff ensure the well-being of the cats and facilitate customer interactions. Trained employees monitor the cats' health and behavior, ensuring they remain happy and stress-free. Staff members also guide customers on how to interact with the cats, providing tips and answering questions. This helps create a positive experience for both the cats and the visitors, ensuring that interactions are safe and enjoyable.

Types of cat cafes.

There are several types of cat cafe ideas that could change the customer experience. Here are a few models you might see for cat cafes. 

Cat adoption cafes.

Cat adoption cafes partner with local animal shelters to facilitate cat adoptions. These cafes provide a temporary home for cats looking for a forever family. Customers can interact with the cats in a relaxed setting, which helps potential adopters see the cats' personalities. This type of cafe not only offers a unique experience but also supports animal welfare by helping cats find homes.

Cat lounge cafes.

Cat lounge cafes focus on providing a relaxing space for customers to interact with resident cats. These cafes do not necessarily aim for adoptions but rather create a serene environment where customers can enjoy the company of cats. The lounge area is designed to be comfortable for both cats and humans, with plenty of cozy spots for cats to nap and play. Customers can unwind, read a book, or work on their laptops while enjoying the calming presence of cats.

Cat-themed cafes.

Cat-themed cafes incorporate cat-themed decor, menu items, and merchandise without live cats on the premises. The cat cafe aesthetic caters to cat lovers who may not necessarily want to interact with live cats but still enjoy the aesthetic and theme. The decor often includes cat art, furniture, and accessories, while the menu might feature items like cat-shaped cookies or drinks named after popular cat breeds. Merchandise such as cat-themed mugs, t-shirts, and stationery can also be sold, adding an extra revenue stream.

Benefits of opening a cat cafe.

Opening a cat cafe offers more than just a place to sip coffee. Here are some benefits to starting a cat cafe: 

• Create a memorable customer experience: Unlike traditional cafes, a cat cafe offers an interactive experience where customers often find the presence of cats soothing, making the cafe a perfect spot for unwinding after a long day. The novelty of the concept also makes it a popular choice for special occasions, such as birthdays or casual meetups, ensuring repeat visits and word-of-mouth referrals.
• Support animal welfare. By partnering with shelters, you can provide a temporary home for cats looking for permanent families, which helps reduce the number of cats in shelters and also educates the public about the benefits of adopting rather than buying pets. Customers visiting the cafe get to know the cats in a stress-free environment, which can lead to more successful adoptions. A portion of the cafe's profits can also be donated to support shelter operations, further contributing to animal welfare.
• Attract a specific target audience. Besides appealing to cat lovers in general, a cat cafe can be a great space for customers who enjoy spending time with cats but may not be able to own one due to various reasons. The cafe's unique concept can draw in tourists and locals alike, creating a diverse customer base ready to promote your business on social media.

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How to start a cat cafe in 9 steps.

Starting a cat cafe requires some specialized knowledge about cats and hygiene laws, but the basis of starting a coffee shop business of any kind is similar. Here are the steps you should take to start your cat cafe. 

Step 1: Conduct market research.

Before jumping to your plans, you should make sure you understand the lay of the land. When it comes to how to open a cat cafe, you want to know if a cat cafe would be profitable in your area, and whether there’s a target audience for you to reach. Make sure to research:

• Local competitors like other cafes, to see what they offer and if your cat cafe fills a gap.
• Your target audience and their preferences. 
• Trends in cat cafe space to understand what’s popular. 
• Use online research, surveys, and focus groups to gather data from consumers as well as external sources like associations in your industry. That way, you can make informed decisions about your business strategy, menus, and pricing. 

Step 2: Create a business plan.

Next, you’ll want to create a cat cafe business plan. The more detailed and directed your business plan, the easier it will be to communicate your vision, keep yourself on track, and secure funding. Make sure to include: 

• What your business is, and who it serves
• How you intend to make money
• Who your target market is (and where) with an analysis of the market potential
• Your primary competitors
• Your sales and revenue projections
• Your sales and marketing strategy
• Key milestones, goals, and timelines for growth
• Strengths, weaknesses, strengths, and opportunities for your business (SWOT)

Step 3: Secure funding.

How much does it cost to start a cat cafe? Like with any business, funding your dream is the first big step to take it from a plan to a reality. You’ll want to consider how much it costs to start a cafe, but you’ll also need to consider the additional costs of keeping and taking care of the cats at your cat cafe. 

Luckily, there are many resources for small business owners, so you’ll want to tap into the following: 

• Business loans (term loans, SBA loans, equipment financing, short-term loans, or a line of credit)
• Grant funding through a non-profit or local government 
• Personal savings and the support of family/friends
• Partnering with a private investor for a share of profits
• Crowdfunding through GoFundMe or Kickstarter

Step 4: Choose a location. 

Location, location, location! There’s a reason location is so key to any cafe business—even if you design the perfect cafe, without being in the right place at the right time, you won’t have any customers. Make sure you pick an area with high foot traffic for your cafe, such as near colleges, shopping centres, or office districts. Be sure to consider whether many businesses like yours already exist in the area. 

Think about whether the demographics of the area match your target market too. After all, no matter how many people pass by, if they’re not interested, they’re not customers. 

Finally, make sure the space itself fits your needs. Cats need lots of room to ensure they’re well taken care of, but you’ll also need to set space aside for the cat-free cafe. With all that space, you’ll want to negotiate for favorable lease terms while continuing to meet any zoning or health regulations. And make sure you have enough room if you’re planning to expand in the future. 

Step 5: Obtain permits and licenses. 

Once you’ve chosen your location, you’ll want to get your licenses in order. This is especially important when starting a cat cafe because of the health concerns that patrons and authorities may have. Here are a few licenses and permits you may need: 

• EIN (Employee Identification Number)
• Business license
• “Doing Business As” License (DBA)
• Retail Food Service License
• Resale License for Sales Tax
• Sign Permit
• Insurance
• Food Handler’s Permit
• Building Health Permit
• Live Entertainment License

Get in touch with your local government for a complete picture of what you might need to ensure your business is above board. 

​​Step 6: Establish supplier relationships and obtain your supplies.

You’ll want to establish all the partnerships a normal cafe may need, such as drink supplies, food equipment, and pastries or other food offerings. But when it comes to how to start a cat cafe, you’ll also want to partner with a local shelter or two. 

Whether you want to open a cafe with potential adoption on the table for your customers, or just provide a home for a collection of felines, you’ll need to acquire your cats from somewhere. They should be immunized and behave appropriately around people and other cats, so a shelter may be your best bet even if you’re not looking to adopt out the cats. 

Consider partnering with pet stores to get the supplies for your animals, and to build up that cat cafe aesthetic with plenty of enrichment items for the cats. 

You’ll also want to ensure you have all the equipment you need to provide the full cat cafe experience. That means obtaining:

• Cat toys, beds/trees, litterboxes and litter 
• Coffee makers, grinders, and other cafe equipment
• Refrigeration and food preparation equipment
• Comfortable seating and tables‍
• Point of Sale (POS) system‍
• Inventory management tools for cafe supplies

Step 7: Design your cat cafe.

Now for the fun part! Take the time to design your cat cafe thoughtfully, as it could be the difference between whether or not a patron walks in or returns. Here are some things you should consider while designing your cafe: 

• Maintain customer health and safety. Keeping cats means keeping cat food and cat litter around—which is precisely why they shouldn’t share space with customers who are eating. Make sure the partition between your cat space and the cafe space is clear and easily maintained. 
• Ensure animal welfare. You need to create an environment where cats feel safe and can thrive. This includes providing adequate space, enrichment activities, and regular health check-ups. Socialization is also key; cats should be comfortable interacting with humans and other cats. This requires a dedicated effort to monitor their behavior and address any issues promptly. Balance setting appropriate visiting hours, ensuring the cats have rest periods, and not overcrowding the lounge. 
• Develop a complementary menu and decor. Create a compelling theme and atmosphere for your cat cafe. Decide whether you want a cozy, home-like environment or a modern, chic space. Choose decor that complements your theme and appeals to your target audience. Consider incorporating elements like cat trees, cozy nooks, and interactive toys to keep the cats entertained. Your theme should reflect in everything from the furniture to the menu design. A well-thought-out concept attracts customers and creates a memorable experience. 

Step 8: Hire and train staff. 

You’ll likely be hiring hourly employees to staff your cat cafe, so you’ll want to ensure your team is well-versed in cat care and customer service. Think about what that job description might look like and use templates like this barista job description to make sure all your bases are covered. You can also use hiring and onboarding tools like Homebase to help you find the best candidates.

Once they’re hired, you’ll want to provide training on cat behavior, health monitoring, and proper handling techniques. Equip staff with the knowledge to answer customer questions about the cats and the cafe's operations. 

Emphasize the importance of creating a positive customer experience, from greeting guests to handling complaints. Regular training sessions keep staff skills sharp and up-to-date. A knowledgeable and friendly team enhances the overall experience and ensures the well-being of the cats. 

Step 9: Create a marketing and opening strategy.

Even the best business can fail if it isn’t promoted properly. Luckily, if you’re opening a cat cafe, you have a leg up on marketing over your typical cafe. Try unique strategies available to you, like building strong relationships with local animal welfare organizations and participating in community events.

You can even host adoption events, fundraisers, and educational workshops to raise awareness about animal welfare. Use social media to engage with your audience, share updates about the cats, and promote events. Community involvement builds a loyal customer base and positions your cafe as a valuable community hub. 

When you’re ready to open, make sure to build the hype for a grand opening day and consider some kind of discount or opening promotion to attract customers. 

Kick off your cat cafe with Homebase. 

Working with cats may be your dream, but to open a cat cafe, you’ll need to equally be able to work with people. It takes a solid team and reliable tools to help make starting a business sustainable, and to ensure your cats and customers are both satisfied. 

That’s why Homebase was designed with small business owners like you in mind. With our all-in-one team management tool, you can automate business tasks from scheduling to time tracking, payroll, and more. 

Ready to simplify your cat cafe's operations? Homebase makes managing your team effortless with our all-in-one platform for scheduling, time tracking, and payroll. Let's make work easier—get started today.