Plan your coffee shop like you've done it before.
Every number, plan, and document a new owner needs, built with you by an AI that knows the coffee business. Try it free for 7 days.
Full access. Cancel anytime before day 7 and you won't be charged.
Guided suite from concept to opening day
Benchmarks from real coffee shops, not generic templates
AI co-pilot that fills the business-background gap
Built for Owner-Operators
Guided Through Every Decision
Eight modules in order. You always know what to plan next.
Benchmarked Against Real Shops
Your numbers sit next to what real coffee shops actually look like.
Scout in Your Corner
Ask about your lease, menu, or equipment. Get answers tied to your plan.
The Groundwork Suite
A Guided Suite for the Whole Journey
Scout, AI Planning Assistant
Scout, Your Coffee-Specific AI Assistant
Ask about your market, lease, or equipment. Get coffee-specific answers tied to your plan, not generic small-business advice.
AI responses are planning support, not professional advice. Verify any financial, legal, or regulatory output with a licensed advisor before acting on it.
Scout — AI Coffee Planning Assistant
Specialty-specific planning support, benchmarked
What startup cost should I plan for a 900 sq ft cafe in a mid-size city?
For a 900 sq ft buildout in a mid-size market, I'd plan $110k–$165k all-in. Here's how I'd break it down:
- ✓Espresso equipment: $22–38k
- ✓Renovation: $35–65k
- ✓FF&E: $12–22k
- ✓Working capital: $20–30k
Your current estimate of $142k is within the healthy range for this market size.
What should I watch out for on the renovation estimate?
How It Works
Guided. Benchmarked. Moving.
Three habits the platform builds into your week.
Plan Benchmark: Healthy
Your startup cost is within range
Inside the Platform
Every Tool Built for a Specific Decision
Financials
67%Startup cost
$142,500
Monthly rent
$4,200
Break-even
Month 14
Year 1 revenue
$328k
Startup cost within healthy range
12-month projection
Financials
Startup costs and 12-month projections, benchmarked live.
Menu Pricing
4 itemsItem
Cost
Price
Margin
Espresso
$0.48
$3.50
86%
Oat Latte
$1.12
$6.00
81%
Cold Brew
$0.85
$5.50
85%
Matcha Latte
$1.45
$6.50
78%
Menu Pricing
Cost-per-cup analysis with margin targets and industry benchmarks.
Launch Plan
3 of 6 doneLease signed
Mar 1
Permits filed
Mar 15
Equipment ordered
Apr 1
Staff hired← next
May 1
Soft open
Jun 1
Grand opening
Jun 15
Launch Plan
Milestone-based plan tied to your open date, with next actions always visible.
Today vs. 30-Day Average
+12%Revenue today
$1,284
Top expenses
Daily Financials
See Your Numbers Before You Need Them
Your P&L, daily sales, and cash position, updated automatically. No accountant required.
Explore Daily FinancialsToday vs. 30-Day Average
+12%Revenue today
$1,284
Top expenses
Menu Profitability
Item
Cost
Margin
Oat LatteTop
18%
82%
Cold Brew
15%
85%
Drip Coffee
22%
78%
Menu Performance
Find Out What Actually Pays the Bills
See which drinks earn the most, and which to drop.
Explore Menu AnalyticsMenu Profitability
Item
Cost
Margin
Oat LatteTop
18%
82%
Cold Brew
15%
85%
Drip Coffee
22%
78%
This Week
M
T
W
T
F
Mia
Leo
Ada
Labor cost
29%
Staff Management
Post Shifts Before Monday Morning Stress Hits
Build the schedule, track hours, and see labor cost before payroll.
Explore SchedulingThis Week
M
T
W
T
F
Mia
Leo
Ada
Labor cost
29%
Active members
342
Top regulars this month
Sarah K.
14 visits
Marcus T.
11 visits
Priya N.
9 visits
Loyal Customers
Turn Today's First-Timer Into Next Week's Regular
A stamp program that runs itself. No app, no points. Just regulars who come back.
Explore Loyalty ToolsActive members
342
Top regulars this month
Sarah K.
14 visits
Marcus T.
11 visits
Priya N.
9 visits
Opening Checklist
Low: oat milkUnlock and disarm
Calibrate espresso
Stock pastry case
Count opening till
Flip the sign
Opening Checklist
Open Every Day Without Scrambling
Morning tasks, inventory alerts, and vendor contacts in one spot.
Explore Operations ToolsOpening Checklist
Low: oat milkUnlock and disarm
Calibrate espresso
Stock pastry case
Count opening till
Flip the sign
Revenue Trend
+18% YoY12-month revenue
3 months from your 6-month goal
Business Growth
Know When You Are Ready to Grow
Real trends and simple projections to time your next hire, second location, or menu expansion.
Explore Growth ToolsRevenue Trend
+18% YoY12-month revenue
3 months from your 6-month goal
From the Founder
“Most people who open a coffee shop don't have a business background. Build your plan thoughtfully, even without one. Groundwork fills the gaps so you can plan your shop intentionally.”
Trent Rollings
Founder, Timberline Coffee School
Why Groundwork
Built for the Part You Don't Know You Don't Know
Built by an Operator
Authored by a Working Coffee Shop Owner
Groundwork is built by Trent Rollings, founder of Timberline Coffee School, drawing on day-to-day specialty coffee operations rather than generic business templates.
Plan Coverage
Every Module a Lender Expects
Concept, market, location, menu, equipment, hiring, financials, and launch plan are all wired to the same source of truth, so updates in one module flow through the rest.
Financial Model
Stress-Test Lease and Pricing Scenarios
Adjust rent, opening date, ticket size, or daily transactions and the projection refreshes immediately. Outputs are planning estimates only; review with a licensed accountant before signing.
Build Your Coffee Shop Plan, Even Without a Business Background
Groundwork fills the gaps so you can plan your shop intentionally.
Pricing
Two plans. One goal: open with a plan that works.
Starter
$399/year (save 15%). 7-day free trial; cancel anytime before day 7.
- ✓All planning modules
- ✓100 AI planning credits per month
- ✓Complete every exercise
- ✓Business plan and financial model generation
- ✓Export to PDF
- ✓Email support
Most Popular
Pro
$999/year (save 15%). 7-day free trial; cancel anytime before day 7.
- ✓Everything in Starter
- ✓Coffee Shop World benchmarking vs. real shops
- ✓Weekly Live Office Hours Q&A + recordings
- ✓Deeper insights — deep market research, longer Scout chains
- ✓Priority support
- ✓Unlimited locations and projects
Try Pro free for 7 days. We'll remind you before your trial ends.
A card is required at signup. Cancel before day 7 and you won't be charged. See Subscription Terms.