# Coffee shop consultant in Mexico | El Café de los Sentidos > Hourly consulting to open and grow your coffee business with clarity: decide where to start, answer the questions every coffee shop faces (concept, menu, equipment, investment and operations) and choose how to use 10, 15 or 32 hours of guidance. Online or in person, in English or Spanish. - URL: https://consultorias.cafedelossentidos.com/en - Last updated: October 13, 2026 - Hourly consulting to sort out your project's open questions, decide where to start and move toward opening day without overspending. You and your team choose how we use the hours. ## In short ### What is the coffee shop consulting from El Café de los Sentidos? It is hourly consulting for opening a coffee shop or coffee business. We work with you and your team on concept, menu, equipment, investment and operations, and you decide how each hour is used. ### How much does a coffee shop consultant cost? For clients outside Mexico we offer three packages in US dollars, with hours that never expire: 10 hours for $2,499 USD, 15 hours for $3,269 USD, and 32 hours for $4,459 USD. That puts an hour between $139.34 USD and $249.90 USD, depending on the package, and you pay by card through Stripe. ### Who is it for? For anyone opening a coffee shop in Mexico, including people moving here from abroad, or in the United States, who wants to decide with good judgment before signing a lease, buying equipment or committing money. Sessions are in English or Spanish, online, in person or hybrid. ### Who runs the consulting? The team at El Café de los Sentidos, a specialty coffee company founded in 2013 with its own café in Coyoacán, Mexico City, and a member of the Specialty Coffee Association. Its founder, Alejandro Comi Pretelín, is a Q Arabica Grader, and since 2023 we have taught the official course on starting a coffee business at Expo Café. For clients in Mexico we offer three packages, VAT included, with hours that never expire: 10 hours for $18,000 MXN, 15 hours for $23,500 MXN, and 32 hours for $32,000 MXN. That puts an hour between $1,000 MXN and $1,800 MXN, depending on the package. Prices are in Mexican pesos. Prices and terms current as of October 13, 2026. ## Packages Clients in Mexico pay in Mexican pesos (VAT included) through Mercado Pago or a SPEI bank transfer. Clients outside Mexico pay in US dollars, by card through Stripe. The page shows each visitor the prices for the country they browse from. ### A clear start · Essential · 10 h · $18,000 MXN / $2,499 USD Ten hours to put the start in order: clarify where to begin, answer the most urgent questions and leave with concrete decisions and next steps. Ideal if your team wants clarity before buying equipment, signing a lease or committing money. - Decide where to start and with which priorities: model, concept or menu. - Choose equipment and tools based on menu, volume and budget. - Estimate the total investment, with ROI and simple projections, and a timeline to opening day. - 10 flexible hours of specialized consulting. Not included: Coffee, samples, equipment, packaging, shipping or travel expenses. Payments to platforms, advertising, domains or outside suppliers. Custom software development beyond the hours you hire. - Pay from Mexico (MXN, VAT included, Mercado Pago): https://mpago.la/2gCUZqM - Pay from outside Mexico (USD, card via Stripe): https://buy.stripe.com/fZu00i72r1Irean05VbMQ0p - WhatsApp: https://wa.me/525514528815?text=Hi%2C%20I'd%20like%20to%20move%20forward%20with%20A%20clear%20start%20(10h)%20for%20my%20coffee%20business.%20Can%20you%20help%20me%20with%20the%20next%20steps%3F ### A deeper start · In depth · 15 h · $23,500 MXN / $3,269 USD The same foundations as the clear start, plus time to go deep on one or two topics that need it: menu and recipes, suppliers, operations or promotion, depending on your team's priorities. Ideal if, beyond putting the start in order, your team wants to nail down a topic before investing. - Everything in A clear start. - Go deeper on a costed menu and recipes, or compare coffees, roasters and suppliers. - Go deeper on the concept and the drinks menu with a closer look at the market. - 15 flexible hours of specialized consulting. Not included: Coffee, samples, equipment, packaging, shipping or travel expenses. Payments to platforms, advertising, domains or outside suppliers. Custom software development beyond the hours you hire. - Pay from Mexico (MXN, VAT included, Mercado Pago): https://mpago.la/1FvoVVJ - Pay from outside Mexico (USD, card via Stripe): https://buy.stripe.com/8x26oG1I70En8Q305VbMQ0q - WhatsApp: https://wa.me/525514528815?text=Hi%2C%20I'd%20like%20to%20move%20forward%20with%20A%20deeper%20start%20(15h)%20for%20my%20coffee%20business.%20Can%20you%20help%20me%20with%20the%20next%20steps%3F ### Close guidance · Full · 32 h · $32,000 MXN / $4,459 USD (Recommended) Close guidance across several fronts all the way to opening: concept, menu, operations, training, brand or sales channels. Your team picks which; nothing is fixed in advance. Ideal if you and your team want guidance through the whole preparation and opening, not just at the start. - Everything in the previous options, in more depth. - A first operations manual, standardized recipes and team training. - Other fronts only if your team chooses them: own brand, online sales, partnerships or promotion. - 32 flexible hours of specialized consulting. Not included: Coffee, samples, equipment, packaging, shipping or travel expenses. Payments to platforms, advertising, domains or outside suppliers. Custom software development beyond the hours you hire. - Pay from Mexico (MXN, VAT included, Mercado Pago): https://mpago.la/2FJ4PTd - Pay from outside Mexico (USD, card via Stripe): https://buy.stripe.com/28E9ASaeDgDld6j9GvbMQ0r - WhatsApp: https://wa.me/525514528815?text=Hi%2C%20I'd%20like%20to%20move%20forward%20with%20Close%20guidance%20(32h)%20for%20my%20coffee%20business.%20Can%20you%20help%20me%20with%20the%20next%20steps%3F Included with every package: 2 months of Pro, Coffee Bootcamp recordings. All three options are consulting hours; what changes is how much time there is to go deep and stay alongside your team. The uses you will see are examples to size each package, not a fixed syllabus: when we start, we agree with your team where the hours go. You don't need to plan them up front: the hours never expire and are used as the project actually needs them. ## Where to start ### Where should we start: business model, concept or menu? It depends on how clear the idea is. A simple Business Model Canvas usually helps decide who you sell to and why they would choose you; with that settled, the concept and the menu come together much faster. In the first session we agree with your team on the order that suits the project best. ### What equipment does the project need, and why? Espresso machine, grinder, refrigeration, point of sale and the rest are chosen from the menu, the expected volume and the budget, not the other way around. We explain to your team what to buy from day one, what can wait and which alternatives keep you from overspending. ### How much do we need to get started, and when could we open? Together with your team we build an estimate of the total investment (equipment, inventory, build-out and promotion) with simple financial projections, and lay it out on a realistic timeline so you know what to do first and what can be postponed. ### How do we define the concept and the menu? We start from the customer, the budget and the coffee your team wants to serve, and arrive at a short, costed menu that can be standardized. It grows later, with what you learn from real sales. ### How do we organize day-to-day operations? Recipes, opening and closing, cleaning, purchasing and service can go into a first operations manual anyone on your team can follow; we can also train the people who will run the bar. ### Do we have to sell online or have our own coffee brand? No. Both are optional fronts, added only if your team is interested and when the coffee shop calls for them. No package assumes or requires them; if you want them, they are worked on within the hours you choose. ## How we work 1. **Understand what makes the project different.** We turn ideas, tastes and budget limits into a clear value proposition; the Business Model Canvas helps see it on a single page. 2. **Design an offer you can actually test.** We define coffee, quality, roast, menu, presentation, supplier or roaster, and a concrete promise to the customer. 3. **Build only what you need to start.** We choose equipment and tools and, with your team, build the right version of the bar and the menu you have in mind (and online sales, only if you want them) to show, sell and learn from real sales. 4. **Sequence investment, testing and launch.** We estimate the total investment with simple projections and order the tasks so you know what to buy now, what to wait on and what to fix before growing. ### What you can walk away with - **Business map:** A simple view of the customer, what sets you apart, the offer and how you will first sell. - **Launch plan:** Concept, first menu and the minimum equipment and tools to run the coffee shop. - **Total investment and ROI:** An estimate of the total investment with simple financial projections: how much the project needs, where it goes and when it could pay back. - **Opening roadmap:** A sequence of tasks, decisions and timeframes to reach opening day in order. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do we need to arrive with a defined idea? No. Clarifying it is part of the work. All you need is the intention to open a coffee business and the will to decide with good judgment; in the first session we sort the questions and decide where to start. ### Should I hire a consultant or take a course to open a coffee shop? It depends on where you are. A course teaches the whole path in a group, with a fixed program; consulting works on your project: your numbers, your menu, your space and your decisions. If you are still exploring the idea, a course is a good first step; if you want to land it without costly mistakes, consulting goes further. They are not mutually exclusive. Compare consulting, courses and tools: https://consultorias.cafedelossentidos.com/en/guides/coffee-shop-consultant-cost#consulting-course-or-platform ### Can we decide how the hours are used? Yes. The examples show possible splits, not a required syllabus. When we start, we agree on priorities with your team and can move hours as new needs come up. ### What can be covered in 10 hours? It depends on how clear the idea is, but it is usually enough to put the start in order: decide where to begin, settle the concept and part of the first menu, choose equipment with good criteria and estimate approximate ranges for investment and timing. The larger packages leave room to go deeper and work more closely together. ### Is the included access for the whole team? Yes. You and your whole team get 2 months of access to pro.cafedelossentidos.com and unlimited access to the Coffee Bootcamp recordings. ### Is the investment estimate a fixed number? No. We build it from the type of coffee, equipment, volume, packaging and sales channels your team chooses. The goal is a useful range and a clear view of what can be postponed. ### Are online sales or an own brand included in any package? They are neither included nor required: they are optional fronts your team can choose to work on within the hours of any package if they interest you. Since we also build software, we can help build a simple online store if you decide to; outside services or extra development are quoted separately. ### How will we work with suppliers and roasters? We can help your team define requirements, compare alternatives and connect with relevant options. Final purchases, contracts and commercial agreements are made directly by your team. ### Is the consulting online or in person? It can be online, in person or hybrid, and sessions can be held in English or Spanish. Online works from any city or country. Travel, expenses, samples, shipping and supplies are arranged and paid separately. ### Do you work with foreigners opening a coffee shop in Mexico? Yes. Sessions can be in English or Spanish, and we work on what makes or breaks the coffee business: concept, menu, coffee and suppliers, equipment, investment and operations. Setting up the company, your immigration status and taxes are handled by a notary (notario or corredor público), an accountant and an immigration lawyer. How to open a coffee shop in Mexico as a foreigner: https://consultorias.cafedelossentidos.com/en/guides/open-a-coffee-shop-in-mexico ### What are the payment and scheduling terms? Payment is in full and in advance, in US dollars, by card through Stripe. The kickoff schedule is confirmed within 72 hours of payment. There are no refunds; rescheduling depends on availability. ## Track record We have opened our own coffee shop, developed award-winning coffee and taught Expo Café's official courses on starting a coffee business from scratch. That experience lets us turn every decision (concept, menu, equipment, investment or operations) into a task with a realistic timeframe. - **2013 · National Entrepreneur Week (Ministry of Economy).** In 2013 we won first place in a national business model competition organized by Mexico's Ministry of Economy during the first National Entrepreneur Week. The award, about MXN $100,000, went into incubating El Café de los Sentidos. - **2013 · Incubation with Feher Consulting.** After winning the 2013 Business Model Canvas competition, we were accepted into the incubation program of Feher Consulting S.C. (formerly Feher & Feher S.C.), whose clients include Cielito Querido Café, Caffenio, La Parroquia de Veracruz, Bola de Oro, Santa Clara, Häagen-Dazs, Sushi Itto, Fisher's and La Mansión, among others. - **2015 · Backed by Mexico's Ministry of Economy.** After completing our incubation with Feher Consulting S.C., El Café de los Sentidos became one of the few Mexican projects backed by the Ministry of Economy. Recognized as a High-Impact Company, we received MXN $196,000 to build our first coffee shop in Coyoacán, Mexico City. - **2015 · Co-founders of Grupo Coexme, A.C..** In 2015 we co-founded Grupo Coexme, A.C. with Luz María Osuna (founder of La Cumbre Latinoamericana del Café). Among other goals, this nonprofit provides training and specialized consulting to make Mexican businesses more sustainable. Grupo Coexme brought the International Women's Coffee Alliance (IWCA), the coffee sector's leading women-led organization worldwide, to Mexico. - **2016 · One of Mexico's six best roasted coffees.** In 2016 one of our coffees was named one of Mexico's six best roasted coffees at Expo Café's Premio Sabor, the country's most important competition for roasted coffee quality. - **2017 · Specialized consulting.** In 2017 we gave a short consultation to Carlos García Campillo, a coffee grower from Puebla, to develop a process he had not used before (Red Honey). On his first try with it, his coffee won a Gold Medal in France. - **2017 · Supporting 300+ coffee growers in Chiapas.** In 2016 Grupo Coexme created the IWCA Mexico Chapter (Alliance of Women in Coffee). The IWCA (International Women's Coffee Alliance) is the world's leading women-led organization in the coffee industry. We supported more than 300 coffee growers in Chiapas. - **2021 · Digital coffee subscription platform.** In 2021 we launched our digital platform with online subscriptions to some of Mexico's best coffees, working with roasters recognized nationally and internationally (national roasting champions, Q Arabica Graders and more). - **2023 · Official course on starting a coffee business from scratch.** In September 2023 we were selected to teach Expo Café's official course (Mexico's most important coffee event) on starting a coffee business or coffee shop from scratch. - **2024 · El Café de los Sentidos | Official member of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).** In 2024 El Café de los Sentidos officially became a member of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). With SCA certifications, our course content is built on the highest quality standards. - **2024 · Courses at Mexico's most important coffee expo.** In September 2024 we taught the official courses “How to Start Your Coffee Business or Coffee Shop from Scratch”, “Coffee Cupping” and “Coffee Mixology and Mocktails” at Expo Café 2024, training 90 people. - **2024-2025 · Q Arabica Grader certification.** In August 2024 Alejandro Comi Pretelín, founder and CEO of El Café de los Sentidos, was certified as a Q Arabica Grader, one of the most prestigious certifications in the coffee industry worldwide. In September 2025 he became one of roughly 150 Evolved Q Arabica Graders in Mexico, aligned with the Specialty Coffee Association's new official cupping protocol (CVA). - **2025 · Koffe AI, an AI-powered coffee platform.** In April 2025 we began building Koffe AI, a coffee training and learning platform powered by artificial intelligence. The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) officially endorsed the app for its implementation of the new cupping protocol (CVA). - **2025 · Courses at Mexico's largest coffee expo.** In September 2025 we taught, for the third year in a row, the official courses “How to Start Your Coffee Business or Coffee Shop from Scratch” and “Coffee Mocktails” at Expo Café 2025, training around 60 people. - **2026 · Koffe AI in the first Agrotech & Foodtech cohort.** Koffe AI was accepted into the first cohort of the Agrotech & Foodtech incubation program at Tec de Monterrey's Eugenio Garza Lagüera Entrepreneurship Institute, starting in August 2026. The program includes market validation, specialized mentoring, connections with agri-food corporations and a Demo Day for investors. - **2026 · Official course at Mexico's largest coffee expo.** For the fourth year in a row we were invited to teach the official course “How to Start Your Coffee Business or Coffee Shop from Scratch” at Expo Café 2026, in September 2026. The course combines the business side (concept, equipment, suppliers, menu, costs and operations) with hands-on extraction, grinder calibration, milk and cupping. ## Some clients Coffee shops, brands and companies in the coffee sector that have worked with us on training, consulting and software development. A sample of what we do, not the full list. - **El Mundo del Café · La Revista** (Editorial and subscription platform): Editorial site with features, articles and videos; Digital reader for every issue and the magazine's archive; Professional directories for the sector; Annual subscriptions with online payment in MXN; Content management so their team publishes without coding. - **Grupo Vazgui** (Catalog and sales app): Catalog with current prices, spec sheets and terms by brand; Search and filters to find the right equipment in seconds; Lead capture right from the sales floor; Admin panel for products, brands, currencies and access; Installable phone app with private access for their team. - **Expo Café**: Expo Café chose us to teach its official courses on starting a coffee business from scratch. There we work with people who arrive with an idea and leave with a plan to launch their own coffee business. (Source: https://www.expocafe.mx/) - **Torikami Café**, Hipódromo Condesa, Mexico City: Development of their matcha drinks menu, from syrups and cold foams to final recipes, and training for their bar team with a digital recipe book to make them with quality and consistency. (Source: https://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/food-and-drink/2025/06/26/asi-es-torikami-la-nueva-cafeteria-de-luisito-comunica-y-ary-tenorio-cuanto-cuesta-comer-ahi/) - **SAN さん Matcha**, Roma, Condesa and Polanco, Mexico City: Training to open their coffee shop from scratch. (Source: https://foodandpleasure.com/san-matcha-cdmx/) - **Latte Pelitos**, Del Valle, Mexico City: Training to open their coffee shop from scratch. (Source: https://www.calameo.com/read/007691719afc1322c9916?page=47) - **La Rosenda**, Coyoacán and Pedregal, Mexico City: Assessment, espresso machine criteria, menu, operating standards and training for the partners and team, with a private training platform. (Source: https://larosenda.com/) - **Orange Coffee**, Polanco, Mexico City: Since before opening: area study, full implementation plan, operations manual and brand guide for their baristas. (Source: https://orangecoffee.mx/) - **Tan Cacao**, Santa María la Ribera, Mexico City: Training to open their coffee shop from scratch. (Source: https://foodandpleasure.com/chocolates-regalo-navidad) - **Místika**, San José Insurgentes, Mexico City: Training to open their coffee shop from scratch. (Source: https://cdmxsecreta.com/cuenta-instagram-cafe-gratis-cdmx/) - **Bondai Café**, Reforma and Polanco, Mexico City: Training to open their coffee shop from scratch. (Source: https://www.caras.com.mx/lifestyle/que-son-los-coffee-raves-estos-son-los-que-estan-en-tendencia-en-cdmx) - **Tierra México**, Nueva Santa María, Azcapotzalco, Mexico City: Training to open their coffee shop from scratch. (Source: https://www.directoalpaladar.com.mx/turismo-gastronomico/tierra-mexico-cafeteria-cdmx-que-revive-bebidas-mexicanas-tradicionales) - **Congreso Café**, Tlalpan and Roma Sur, Mexico City: Training to open their coffee shop from scratch. (Source: https://foodandpleasure.com/congreso-cafe-tlalpan/) - **Di Caffè**, Tlalnepantla, State of Mexico: Training to open their coffee shop from scratch. (Source: https://www.ciudadsatelite.tv/?p=3222) ## Contact - Email: contacto@cafedelossentidos.com - WhatsApp: https://wa.me/525514528815 (+525514528815) ## Other editions - Español: https://consultorias.cafedelossentidos.com/ · https://consultorias.cafedelossentidos.com/llms-full.txt ## Part of El Café de los Sentidos - [El Café de los Sentidos](https://cafedelossentidos.com): Main site: the specialty coffee shop in Coyoacán, Mexico City, and the whole family of sites. - [Cómo iniciar tu cafetería](https://como-iniciar-tu-cafeteria.cafedelossentidos.com): Course on starting and opening a coffee shop (in Spanish). - [El Café de los Sentidos Pro](https://pro.cafedelossentidos.com): AI-powered platform and tools to learn about coffee and the business (in Spanish). - [Curso de barista](https://curso-de-barista.cafedelossentidos.com): In-person barista course in Coyoacán, Mexico City (in Spanish). - [Degustación a ciegas](https://degustacion.cafedelossentidos.com): Blind coffee tasting kit (in Spanish). - Founder: [Alejandro Comi Pretelín](https://www.alejandrocomi.dev) ## Guides - https://consultorias.cafedelossentidos.com/en/guides ### What a coffee shop consultant costs > Coffee shop consultants charge by the hour, per project, on a monthly retainer or as part of a course, and the price depends mostly on how many hours of guidance you need. At El Café de los Sentidos you buy hours: 10 hours for $2,499 USD, 15 hours for $3,269 USD, and 32 hours for $4,459 USD, for clients outside Mexico. That is between $139.34 USD and $249.90 USD an hour. - URL: https://consultorias.cafedelossentidos.com/en/guides/coffee-shop-consultant-cost - Last updated: October 13, 2026 - **How consultants charge:** Hourly, per project, monthly or within a course - **Our packages:** 10, 15, or 32 hours - **Price:** $2,499 to $4,459 USD - **Per hour:** $139.34 USD to $249.90 USD #### What does a coffee shop consultant do? A coffee shop consultant helps turn the idea of a coffee business into concrete decisions: who you will sell to, which concept and menu make sense, what equipment to buy, how much you need to invest and how the day-to-day will run. A consultant does not open the café for you: the job is to help you decide with good judgment and in the right order, so you don't spend on what you don't need yet. - Business model and concept, for example with a Business Model Canvas. - A short, costed menu, and the choice of coffee, roaster and suppliers. - Equipment and tools sized to the menu, the expected volume and the budget. - An estimate of the total investment, with simple financial projections. - An operations manual, bar training and the pre-opening. #### How coffee shop consultants charge There is no standard rate, and many consultants don't publish their prices. Most use one of these models: | Model | How it works | Suits you if | | --- | --- | --- | | Hourly or a block of hours | You buy a block of hours and decide how they are used. | You want to settle specific decisions and control the budget. | | Per project | A fixed price for a defined scope, such as a business plan or a full opening. | The scope is already clear and you want one deliverable. | | Monthly retainer | A fixed monthly fee for ongoing support. | The café is already open and you need regular follow-up. | | Within a course | A few one-on-one sessions come with a group program. | You first need to understand the overall path. | | Tied to a purchase | A coffee or equipment supplier advises you in exchange for your business. | You have already chosen the supplier and accept that dependence. | #### What our consulting costs We publish the full price because it is the first thing everyone asks. The three packages are hours of consulting, for clients outside Mexico, with no expiry date: | Package | Hours | Price | Per hour | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | A clear start (Essential) | 10 h | $2,499 USD | $249.90 USD | | A deeper start (In depth) | 15 h | $3,269 USD | $217.93 USD | | Close guidance (Full) | 32 h | $4,459 USD | $139.34 USD | Prices for clients outside Mexico are in US dollars. Every package includes 2 months of access to [El Café de los Sentidos Pro](https://pro.cafedelossentidos.com) for your whole team (in Spanish) and unlimited access to the Coffee Bootcamp recordings. Payment is in advance, by card through Stripe, and the first session is scheduled within 72 hours. Not included: coffee, samples, equipment, packaging, shipping or travel expenses; payments to platforms, advertising, domains or outside suppliers; custom software development beyond the hours you hire. [See the packages and what each one includes](https://consultorias.cafedelossentidos.com/en#planes) #### How many hours do you need? It depends on how clear the idea is and how much support you want. As a guide: - **10 hours, A clear start.** Ten hours to put the start in order: clarify where to begin, answer the most urgent questions and leave with concrete decisions and next steps. Ideal if your team wants clarity before buying equipment, signing a lease or committing money. - **15 hours, A deeper start.** The same foundations as the clear start, plus time to go deep on one or two topics that need it: menu and recipes, suppliers, operations or promotion, depending on your team's priorities. Ideal if, beyond putting the start in order, your team wants to nail down a topic before investing. - **32 hours, Close guidance.** Close guidance across several fronts all the way to opening: concept, menu, operations, training, brand or sales channels. Your team picks which; nothing is fixed in advance. Ideal if you and your team want guidance through the whole preparation and opening, not just at the start. Hours never expire and you decide how they are used, so you don't need to plan everything up front. See [examples of how to split them](https://consultorias.cafedelossentidos.com/en#ejemplo). #### Consulting, a course, a platform or a franchise Each path solves something different. This table helps you decide which one fits you now: | Option | What you get | When it fits | | --- | --- | --- | | Hourly consulting | Work on your project: your numbers, your menu, your space and your decisions. | You have an idea and want to land it without costly mistakes. | | A course on opening a coffee shop | The whole path, taught in a group with a fixed program. | You are still exploring and want the big picture before investing. | | A platform with tools | Lessons and tools to learn and run numbers at your own pace. | You want to practice and calculate on your own. | | A franchise | A brand, suppliers and processes already in place, for an upfront fee and royalties that vary by brand. | You would rather run a proven model than build your own. | | On your own | Full control and the lowest spend on advice. | You already have experience running coffee shops. | They are not mutually exclusive: many people start with a course and hire consulting hours when it is time to decide. We also run the course [Cómo iniciar tu cafetería](https://como-iniciar-tu-cafeteria.cafedelossentidos.com) and the platform [El Café de los Sentidos Pro](https://pro.cafedelossentidos.com), both in Spanish. #### How to choose a coffee shop consultant Before hiring anyone, us included, ask: - Have they opened or run a coffee shop of their own? - Do they publish their price and what each hour includes? - Can they show real, verifiable clients or projects? - Do they have coffee training, such as from the Specialty Coffee Association or the Q Arabica Grader certification? - Do they sell equipment or coffee? If so, how do they keep advice separate from sales? - Who sets the priorities: you, or a fixed syllabus? - Can they work in your language? We run our own specialty café in Coyoacán, Mexico City, we are members of the Specialty Coffee Association, our founder is a Q Arabica Grader, and since 2023 we have taught the official course on starting a coffee business at Expo Café. Sessions run in English or Spanish. See [our track record](https://consultorias.cafedelossentidos.com/en#experiencia) and [some clients, with sources](https://consultorias.cafedelossentidos.com/en#clientes). #### When is a consultant worth it? - Before you sign a lease or buy equipment: that is when a mistake costs the most. - When you have several ideas and need to decide where to start. - When you need an investment estimate to know whether the project is viable. - When you are about to hire staff and need recipes, processes and training. It may not be worth it if you only want to explore the idea without deciding yet. In that case a course or a platform is usually a better first step. #### Frequently asked questions ##### How much does a coffee shop consultant charge per hour? It depends on the model and the experience, and many don't publish a rate. Ours is between $139.34 USD and $249.90 USD an hour, depending on the package: the more hours you buy, the lower the hourly price. ##### Can I hire a coffee shop consultant online? Yes. Our sessions can be online, in person or hybrid, in English or Spanish, so they work from any city or country. Travel and expenses are paid separately. ##### Do the consulting hours expire? No. Hours never expire and are used as the project needs them; at the start we agree with your team how to use them, and the plan can change. ##### Can I pay from outside Mexico? Yes. Clients outside Mexico pay in US dollars, by card through Stripe; clients in Mexico pay in pesos, through Mercado Pago or bank transfer (SPEI). Payment is in advance either way. ### How to open a coffee shop in Mexico as a foreigner > Yes: a foreigner can own a coffee shop in Mexico, even 100% of it. What tends to get complicated is everything else: an immigration status that lets you work in your own business, the company, registering with the tax authority (SAT) and the permits for the premises. This guide sets out what to plan, who to involve and where we can help. - URL: https://consultorias.cafedelossentidos.com/en/guides/open-a-coffee-shop-in-mexico - Last updated: October 13, 2026 > This guide explains what to plan for and who to involve. It is not legal, tax or immigration advice: confirm each step with a notario or corredor público, an accountant (contador) and an immigration lawyer. Requirements change and vary by state and municipality. - **Can you own it?:** Yes, up to 100% of the company - **Can you work in it?:** Only with an immigration status that allows it - **Legal side, with:** A notary (notario or corredor público), an accountant and an immigration lawyer - **Coffee side, with us:** Concept, menu, equipment, investment and operations, in English or Spanish #### Can a foreigner own a coffee shop in Mexico? Yes. Mexico's Foreign Investment Law (Ley de Inversión Extranjera) lets foreign investment hold any share of a Mexican company's capital and open and run establishments (article 4). The activities it reserves or caps are others; a food and drink business such as a café is not among them. That applies whether you are American, Canadian, European or from anywhere else. A company with foreign shareholders must register with the National Foreign Investment Registry, the Registro Nacional de Inversiones Extranjeras (article 32). Your notary will tell you how and when. Don't put the business in the name of a front person (a prestanombres): legally, what is in their name is theirs. #### Owning a café is not the same as being allowed to work in it Ownership and permission to work are separate. As a visitor without permission to carry out paid activities, which is a tourist's status, you cannot work or be paid for work in Mexico. Temporary residency lets you work only if you hold permission to do so, and permanent residency does let you work. If you plan to run the bar or manage the day-to-day, review your case with an immigration lawyer before you sign a lease. You can also be a shareholder and leave operations to a team that is allowed to work. #### Company, tax ID and invoicing: your team of professionals Before you commit money, put your team together: a notario or corredor público to set up the company, an accountant (contador) for the SAT registration and payroll, and an immigration lawyer for your residency. These are the topics to settle with them: - **The legal form.** Operating as an individual with business activity, or a company such as an S.A.S., an S. de R.L. de C.V. or an S.A. de C.V. An S.A.S. is set up online with the Ministry of Economy, but only individuals can be shareholders, each one needs an e.firma (the SAT's electronic signature) and its annual revenue is capped at a figure updated every year. - **RFC and e.firma.** The company's RFC (tax ID) and, depending on your case, your own. The SAT will ask for documents based on your immigration status. - **Electronic invoicing (CFDI).** A point of sale that issues facturas saves you work from day one. - **Registering as an employer with IMSS**, the social security institute, if you will hire staff, with the benefits the law requires, such as the year-end bonus (aguinaldo) and paid vacation. - **A business bank account** and how you will take card payments. #### Premises and permits: check the land use before you sign The most expensive mistake is signing a lease on premises where a café cannot legally operate. Before you sign, confirm the property's land use (uso de suelo) and which kind of business it allows. In Mexico City, a café is usually registered as a low-impact business (establecimiento mercantil de bajo impacto) with an operating notice filed online through the city's SIAPEM system; selling alcohol can change the type of permit. In other states, each municipality issues its own operating license. Also plan for: - Health rules for handling food and drink, and the sanitary notice that applies to your business. - Civil protection (protección civil): depending on size and capacity, an internal safety program or basic safety measures. - Outdoor signs and a terrace, which can need separate permits. - The electrical installation: many professional espresso machines need 220 V. - A clear commercial lease: term, increases, deposit, and whether the landlord asks for a guarantor (fiador) or a rental guarantee policy (póliza jurídica). #### Concept and menu for the people who will buy here What works back home doesn't always work here. Before you set the menu, look at who you will sell to (neighbors, tourists, office workers or students) and what each of them pays for a drink in that area. In tourist towns, sales swing a lot over the year. Mexico grows specialty coffee in states such as Chiapas, Veracruz, Oaxaca and Puebla, which lets you build a local, traceable offer. A short, costed menu your team can make the same way every day usually works better than a long one. #### Equipment and suppliers: buy here or import? The main brands of professional espresso machines and grinders are distributed in Mexico. Buying here usually makes warranty, servicing and spare parts easier; importing can look cheaper but adds duties, customs paperwork through a customs broker, and risk if the machine fails. Size the equipment to your menu and expected volume, not the other way around. Check the voltage and plugs of anything you bring from abroad. #### A realistic road to opening day 1. Define who you will sell to and your concept on one page; a Business Model Canvas helps. 2. Review your immigration status and put your team of professionals together. 3. Estimate the total investment and the working capital for the first months. 4. Find premises and confirm the land use before you sign. 5. Set up the company and register with the SAT. 6. Design the menu, choose a coffee supplier and buy the equipment. 7. File the notices and permits for the premises, and fit them out. 8. Hire and train your team; write down recipes and processes. 9. Run a soft opening with service rehearsals, and adjust before you open. The exact order depends on your case; what matters is not committing money before the earlier steps are clear. #### Common mistakes - Signing the lease before confirming the land use. - Putting the business in a front person's name. - Working in your café without the right immigration permission. - Buying equipment before the menu is defined. - Budgeting only for the opening and forgetting working capital for the first months. - Copying a menu and prices from another country without checking the local market. #### Where we can help We are a coffee business consultancy, not a law firm. We work with you, in English or Spanish, on what decides whether the café works: concept, menu, coffee and suppliers, equipment, investment, operations and training. The legal, tax and immigration side stays with your professionals. Consulting is sold by the hour: 10 hours for $2,499 USD, 15 hours for $3,269 USD, and 32 hours for $4,459 USD, for clients outside Mexico. [See the packages](https://consultorias.cafedelossentidos.com/en#planes) or read [what a coffee shop consultant costs](https://consultorias.cafedelossentidos.com/en/guides/coffee-shop-consultant-cost). #### Frequently asked questions ##### Can an American open a coffee shop in Mexico? Yes. Mexico's Foreign Investment Law lets foreign investors own any share of a café, so Americans, Canadians and other foreigners can own one outright. Working in it is a separate question: you need an immigration status that allows it. ##### Do I need a Mexican partner to open a café? No. Foreign investment can hold any share of a café; what you do need is to meet what the company setup, the SAT and your immigration status require. Confirm it with your notario or corredor público. ##### Can I open a coffee shop in Mexico on a tourist visa? You can visit, look for premises and plan, but as a visitor without permission for paid activities you cannot work or be paid for work in Mexico. To work in your business you need temporary residency with permission to work, or permanent residency. ##### Can the consulting be in English? Yes. Sessions can be in English or Spanish, online, in person or hybrid. ##### How long does it take to open a coffee shop in Mexico? It depends on the permits, the premises and the build-out; there is no single timeline. In the consulting we build a realistic timeline with you, with the tasks in order and what can wait.