Mobile Coffee Cart & Espresso Bar Hire for Events
Compact espresso cart hired out for weddings, markets, corporate events and film sets, with barista service priced per event.
Weddings, markets and offices pay day-rates for quality coffee without a cafe fit-out. A compact cart, grinder and dual-fuel espresso machine fit in an estate car or small van. Typical offers: half-day and full-day hire with a trained barista, branded cups as an upsell. Regular pitches at farmers' markets and business parks create recurring weekday income. Gross margin figures are planning estimates of revenue minus direct costs (materials, consumables, fuel and per-job expenses); they exclude the owner's own labour, so treat them as a guide to job economics rather than take-home pay.
- Starting capital: 2500–6000 GBP
- Total starting capital: 3800 GBP
- Setup: 4-6 weeks
- Gross margin: 65-75%
- Business model: Per-event hire fees plus per-cup pricing; weekday corporate bookings balance weekend weddings
- Category: Food & Drink
Risks
- Weather exposure: Outdoor events are weather-dependent; deposits needed.
- Seasonality: Winter outdoor demand dips; indoor corporate fills gaps.
- Equipment downtime: A broken machine on event day means refunds; carry spares.
Costs
- Equipment — Dual-fuel espresso machine, grinder and cart build — 2200 GBP
- Compliance — Water, power and food-safety compliance setup — 600 GBP
- Stock — Initial stock of beans, cups and milk alternatives — 400 GBP
- Working capital — Pitch fees, insurance and event deposit cover — 600 GBP