A Business with the Invigorating Aroma of Coffee: How to Open a Self-Service Coffee Shop and What It Costs

Coffee culture is rapidly growing among young people, but older generations are just as fond of this energizing drink. Unsurprisingly, the coffee business remains one of the most promising sectors in Kazakhstan. However, it comes with its own specific challenges. As life gets faster and busier, many people no longer have time to sit in a cozy café — that’s where self-service coffee points come into play.

What Is a Self-Service Mini Coffee Shop?

This type of business is based on coffee vending machines that offer a wide variety of drinks — from espresso and americano to latte, cappuccino, and raf.
The customer selects a drink and pays by card. In less than a minute, they receive their freshly brewed coffee.

Why the Coffee Vending Business Makes Sense:

• Coffee machines operate automatically — no constant supervision needed
• With the right location, your coffee point generates stable income
• If you offer great coffee, word of mouth spreads fast and drives profitability

Competition is intense. Still, entry is possible — many points shut down during crises, opening the door for new entrepreneurs. The key is not to cut corners on equipment and to prioritize coffee quality.

How to Choose the Right Location

Self-service coffee points succeed in high-traffic areas. Experts say 90% of profitability depends on location.

However, not all crowded places are ideal. For example, bus stops are full of people, but they rarely have time to grab coffee — they’re in a hurry.
Better locations include:

• Shopping malls

• Entertainment complexes

• Business centers

• Bank branches

• Supermarkets in residential areas

• Universities and schools

• Office buildings

Important: Vending machines are vulnerable to vandalism. It’s best to install them in secured or monitored locations.

Selecting a Coffee Machine for Business

The success of your coffee point depends just as much on the machine as the location. You have two options: new or used. While used machines are cheaper, they may come with costly maintenance surprises. That’s why experts recommend buying new:

• Warranty included

• Seller support and service discounts

Coffee Machine Types:

• Economy Segment — Basic functions and limited features.
• Mid-Range — Simple interface and more drink options.
• Premium — Ideal for scaling businesses with advanced features.

You’ll also need to collect cash (if used) and refill ingredients regularly. In the beginning, the owner can handle this. As the business grows, consider hiring help. Typically, cash collection and refills are done every 3 days.

How Much You Need to Invest

Compact tabletop machines: 900,000 to 1.3 million KZT

Larger models with more features: 1.5 to 1.7 million KZT

• Serve larger cups (250–350 ml)
• Hold over 1.5 kg of coffee beans
• Store ~80 cups

Floor-standing coffee points: from 2 million KZT

• May include syrup stands
• Some can print designs on coffee foam

Also budget for ingredients: cups, milk, cream, etc.

• Profit potential: 200,000–700,000 KZT/month
• Payback period: approx. 5 months

Coffee-to-Go via Franchise

If you don’t want to build a brand from scratch, consider buying a coffee point franchise. You get:

• A recognized, advertised brand

• Business registration support

• Marketing assistance

• Supply chain from trusted roasters

Popular franchise options in Kazakhstan include:
Coffeebox, Eazy Coffee, Alash Coffee, Zhan Coffee, EspressoDay.
Minimum investment: from 3.2 million KZT

Self-service coffee shops are ideal for first-time entrepreneurs — especially since you can start part-time while keeping your main job. Later, you can grow into a full-service café with seating.

For experienced entrepreneurs, coffee points are a great add-on: you can run several coffee shops and place vending machines in strategic locations.