Cash Flow Management for Seasonal Cafes

If you are in a beach town, winter can be brutal. If you are in the CBD, Christmas holidays can be deadly. Surviving the quiet season requires planning.

1. Build a War Chest

During the busy season, sweep 5-10% of daily takings into a separate high-interest savings account. Do not touch this. This is your "Winter Fund" to pay rent when sales drop.

2. Variable Rosters

Your biggest cost is labour. You must be ruthless with rosters in the off-season. Use casuals so you can flex hours down instantly when it's quiet.

3. Supplier Terms

Ask your coffee supplier for extended terms (30 days) during the off-season. They would rather wait for payment than lose you as a customer.