How to Start a Coffee Cart Business: Equipment, Recipes & Business Plan

Coffee Cart Business: Turn Your Passion for Coffee Into a Profitable and Mobile Venture

Coffee is more than just a beverage — it’s a lifestyle, a daily ritual, and for many, an emotional anchor. In the Philippines, coffee culture is thriving like never before. From early morning commuters to busy office workers, students, night owls, and weekend market-goers, more and more Filipinos are embracing the convenience of grab-and-go caffeine. This cultural shift has created a booming opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs: the Coffee Cart Business.

Unlike traditional cafés that require a big investment in space, equipment, and staff, a coffee cart offers something refreshingly different: mobility, flexibility, and a low startup cost. With the ability to operate in high-traffic locations like transport terminals, schools, business districts, parks, events, and even pop-up markets, this business model brings your product directly to your customers—wherever they are.

It’s not just about coffee; it’s about creating experiences on wheels. Whether you’re a barista-at-heart with dreams of crafting the perfect espresso, or a strategic thinker looking for a high-margin business with daily income potential, the coffee cart offers the best of both worlds: creative freedom and solid profits.

Plus, it’s scalable. Start with a single cart and build a fleet. Offer classic brews, iced lattes, or even signature flavors tailored to your target market. With proper branding, quality ingredients, and a service-first mindset, you can turn a simple cart into a local favorite—and maybe even a franchise in the future.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about starting your own coffee cart business—from planning and permits to equipment lists, menu ideas, cost estimates, location tips, and proven marketing strategies to help you stand out in a competitive but rewarding industry.

Equipment Needed for a Coffee Cart Business

Here’s the essential equipment list to get you started:

Total Estimated Startup Equipment Cost: ₱85,000 – ₱200,000

Ingredients for Each Menu Item

Here’s a list of ingredients used per menu category:

Espresso-Based Drinks:

• Ground Coffee Beans (arabica or robusta blend)
• Fresh Milk or Plant-Based Milk
• Syrups: Vanilla, Hazelnut, Caramel, Mocha
• Ice Cubes
• Water

Iced Coffee:

• Brewed Espresso or Cold Brew Concentrate
• Ice Cubes
• Milk
• Simple Syrup or Flavored Syrup

Frappes and Blended Drinks:

• Instant Coffee or Espresso Shot
• Milk
• Ice
• Sugar Syrup
• Whipped Cream
• Chocolate Syrup / Matcha Powder / Cookies (for variants)

Add-Ons and Snacks (optional):

• Cookies
• Banana Bread
• Donuts or Ensaymada
• Coffee Jelly or Pudding

Sample Menu and Recipes for Your Coffee Cart Business

1. Hot Café Latte

Ingredients:

• 1 shot espresso (30 ml)
• 200 ml steamed milk

Recipe:

1. Brew espresso shot.
2. Steam milk until frothy.
3. Pour steamed milk over espresso.

2. Iced Americano

Ingredients:

• 2 shots espresso
• 150 ml cold water
• Ice cubes

Recipe:

1. Fill cup with ice.
2. Add espresso shots.
3. Top with cold water and stir.

3. Caramel Macchiato (Iced)

Ingredients:

• 2 shots espresso
• 200 ml milk
• 20 ml caramel syrup
• Ice

Recipe:

1. Drizzle caramel on sides of cup.
2. Add milk and ice.
3. Pour espresso on top for layered effect.

4. Mocha Frappe

Ingredients:

• 1 shot espresso or 1 tbsp instant coffee
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder or chocolate syrup
• 200 ml milk
• 1 cup ice
• Sugar syrup to taste
• Whipped cream (optional)

Recipe:

1. Blend all ingredients until smooth.
2. Top with whipped cream and drizzle chocolate syrup.

5. Matcha Latte

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp matcha powder
• 200 ml milk
• 20 ml sugar syrup

Recipe:

1. Dissolve matcha powder in a small amount of hot water.
2. Mix with steamed or cold milk.
3. Add sugar syrup and stir.

6. Spanish Latte

A sweeter, milkier twist perfect for Filipino taste buds.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot espresso
• 30 ml condensed milk
• 150 ml steamed milk

Instructions:

1. Add condensed milk to the bottom of the cup.
2. Pour in espresso shot.
3. Add steamed milk and stir.

7. Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Cà Phê Sữa Đá)

Bold and sweet iced coffee with a strong Robusta base.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp strong Robusta coffee (brewed or espresso)
• 40 ml condensed milk
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Brew coffee.
2. Mix in condensed milk.
3. Pour over a glass filled with ice.

8. Dirty Matcha

A combination of matcha and espresso for tea and coffee lovers.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot espresso
• 1 tsp matcha powder
• 150 ml milk
• 20 ml sugar syrup

Instructions:

1. Dissolve matcha in warm water and mix with syrup.
2. Add milk and ice.
3. Pour espresso shot on top.

9. Honey Cinnamon Latte

Comforting drink perfect for mornings.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot espresso
• 200 ml steamed milk
• 1 tsp honey
• Pinch of ground cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Mix honey and cinnamon into hot espresso.
2. Add steamed milk and stir.
3. Garnish with a light sprinkle of cinnamon.

10. Coffee Jelly Milk Drink

A dessert-like drink with chewy jelly and creamy milk.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup coffee jelly cubes
• 150 ml milk
• 1 shot espresso
• 20 ml sugar syrup
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Place coffee jelly in a cup.
2. Add milk, sugar syrup, and ice.
3. Pour in espresso shot.

11. White Chocolate Mocha

A luxurious treat that adds a sweet twist to classic mocha.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot espresso
• 1 tbsp white chocolate syrup
• 200 ml steamed milk
• Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix white chocolate syrup with espresso.
2. Add steamed milk.
3. Top with whipped cream.

12. Toffee Nut Latte (Holiday Favorite)

Perfect for seasonal or year-round sweet cravings.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot espresso
• 200 ml steamed milk
• 1 tbsp toffee nut syrup
• Whipped cream and toffee drizzle (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix syrup with espresso.
2. Add steamed milk and stir.
3. Top with whipped cream and drizzle.

13. Affogato (Dessert-Style)

Great for carts that also serve cold desserts.

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop vanilla ice cream
• 1 shot hot espresso

Instructions:

1. Place ice cream in a small cup.
2. Pour espresso over it just before serving.

14. Salted Caramel Cold Brew

Trendy drink for hot afternoons.

Ingredients:

• 200 ml cold brew coffee
• 20 ml salted caramel syrup
• 30 ml milk or cream
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Fill glass with ice.
2. Add cold brew and salted caramel syrup.
3. Top with milk or cream.

15. Okinawa Milk Coffee

Inspired by Japanese brown sugar flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot espresso
• 200 ml milk
• 1 tbsp Okinawa brown sugar syrup

Instructions:

1. Mix syrup with espresso.
2. Add milk and stir.
3. Serve hot or iced.

Sample Coffee Cart Business Plan

1. Capital Breakdown

2. Monthly Operational Expenses

3. Sales & Profit Projection

• Average Price per Drink: ₱90
• Drinks Sold Daily: 50
• Daily Sales: ₱4,500
• Monthly Sales (30 days): ₱135,000
• Gross Profit (after expenses): ₱100,000
• Break-even Period: 2 to 3 months

Ideal Locations for Coffee Cart Business in the Philippines

• Near MRT/LRT stations
• Outside universities and colleges
• Office building entrances
• Night markets and bazaars
• Parking lots near BPOs
• Hospitals and clinics

Marketing Tips to Promote Your Coffee Cart Business

• Offer a loyalty card (Buy 5, Get 1 Free).
• Create an Instagram-worthy setup with creative signage.
• Offer limited-edition drinks (e.g. Ube Latte, Taho Coffee).
• Partner with delivery apps or use social media pre-orders.
• Sponsor a local event or collab with food stalls nearby.

Legal Requirements to Start a Coffee Cart in the Philippines

• DTI Business Name Registration
• Barangay Clearance
• Mayor’s Permit
• Sanitary Permit
• BFAD License (for food and beverages)
• BIR Registration

Final Thoughts: Brew Success with Every Cup

A coffee cart business is more than just selling caffeine — it’s about creating daily rituals, community vibes, and repeat customers. With the right equipment, menu, and plan, you can build a mobile café that’s both profitable and meaningful.