Skip to main content
The Ultimate Mobile Coffee Business Plan: On a Budget
Growth and Strategy

The Ultimate Mobile Coffee Business Plan: On a Budget

1st June 2017

An in-depth guide to setting up a mobile coffee business


Have you ever thought about starting your own mobile coffee business?
Are you interested in being your own boss and have a passion for working with the public?

Our downloadable guide will help you understand how to operate a mobile coffee business from the ground up, including everything from buying initial stock to accruing repeat business. Each section is split into manageable chunks, so you can tick off each step as you go, or come back to it later on.

Running your own mobile coffee business, of course, has its perks; the combination of low-cost stock and minimal overheads makes it extremely cost-effective. Plus, you won’t be sat behind a desk all day.

Don’t worry if you are yet to decide on a coffee van business plan; this guide provides plenty of guidance on getting started, courtesy of Premierline.

How to Start a Mobile Coffee Business Plan on a Budget

This resource has been made into a downloadable PDF for you to save, print or share. Use the download below to save this guide.

Download PDF

The business guide covers:

Business Status

One common question asked by prospective coffee cart owners.

  • Deciding how to trade

Licences

Obtaining the correct licence(s) for your mobile coffee business will depend on where you want to trade, and what you want to sell.

How to obtain a licence to trade

  • Trading in public places
  • Trading on private land
  • Obtaining a licence from an agency

Buying stock

To operate a successful mobile coffee business, you will need to consistently source stock and sell it for a profit.

Sourcing stock from wholesalers

  • How much stock to buy

Equipment

While high-end coffee machines can run into the tens of thousands, it is possible to bag a bargain.

Things to consider:

  • How to power your equipment: An inverter generator or a leisure battery
  • Coffee machine hire
  • Van, bike or coffee cart hire

Taking payments

As a mobile coffee business, you need to make sure your customers can pay for your service quickly and securely.

  • Considering card payments

Marketing

Tips for marketing your mobile coffee business on a shoestring budget.

  • Generate word-of-mouth
  • Social media

Getting a website

Most small businesses require a professional-looking website, as this is a shop window into what you can offer the customer.

  • A virtual shop window

Insurance

Taking out the right insurance for your mobile coffee business is crucial.

Protect your business against the unexpected

  • Covers to consider

Share this article

Business insurance with Premierline

It is important to make sure that you have the right insurance in place to protect the business that you have built. Every business is different and has its own business insurance needs, which is why we work with some of the UK's most well-known insurers to ensure that you are getting the right insurance cover for your business.

Get Quotes Today

Latest articles

Person stood in flood water looking an the damage around them
Finance and Legal
Underinsurance: A threat to UK businesses
Apr 9, 2026

Underinsurance is a huge threat for UK businesses. This infographic highlights the dangers of being underinsured and how businesses can avoid underinsurance.

Satellite image depicting the route of the Arabian Sea, highlighting its geographical features and surrounding areas.
Insight
Protecting Your Business in 2026: How Global Conflict Impacts UK SMEs
Mar 20, 2026

In the current economic landscape, it is easy for a UK business owner to view international conflict as a distant tragedy played out on the evening news.

Person sat on a green sofa pointing a television remote control
Insight
From Wonka to Walford: The UK’s most popular fictional workplaces revealed
Feb 10, 2026

Discover the top fictional businesses Brits dream of running, plus the insurance necessary to cover them in the event that things go wrong.

Construction worker inspecting scaffolding at a building under construction.
Premierline News
Premierline announces a new mutual relationship with the Scaffolding Association
Oct 6, 2025

Explore the new relationship between Premierline and the Scaffolding Association, aimed at delivering bespoke protection to members.