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Understand the numbers,
make informed decisions, and build the operational foundation your coffee shop needs from the beginning.
The Cafe Operator is here to help you open with a stronger plan.
OUR OFFERINGS
CONSULTING
Holistic guidance from experienced experts, tailored to your business and its goals.
EDUCATION
Practical classes covering every part of running and growing a cafe business.
EVENTS
Bringing the coffee community together to learn, connect, and celebrate.
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A GREAT CAFE STARTS BEFORE OPENING DAY.
Expert coffee shop consulting and practical education for people
opening a cafe.
the
cafe
operator
MEET ERICa
CAFE OPERATOR OWNER/FOUNDER
Owner/Found
Cafe owner turned operator, educator, and industry leader.
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Erica Escalante opened her first cafe at 21 and spent nearly a decade growing it into a multi-location coffee and bakery business with wholesale accounts, a full food program, and a commissary kitchen.
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She founded The Cafe Operator to give future cafe owners the practical knowledge, honest guidance, and industry support she wished she had when opening her first business.
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Meet Erica & the team
ERICA HAS BEEN THERE.
LIVED THAT.
BABY BARISTA
Erica started working at Starbucks as a teenager and quickly fell in love with coffee and coffee shop culture. Behind the bar, she discovered her natural strengths in hospitality, multitasking, speed, and efficiency.
2008
THE ARROW COFFEEHOUSE
Opened the doors to The Arrow Coffeehouse in Damascus, OR. A young mom of 2, financially struggling, and completely over her head - living the hardest days of her life wishing there was somewhere she could go to get her questions answered.
2012
EXPANSION
Expanded the business into a second location in the heart of Portland with a full food program, a full bakery operation, and a shared commissary kitchen supporting dozens of local food businesses. She also built a wholesale bakery program serving more than a dozen accounts across the Portland area.
2016
PANDEMIC
With a natural inclination to survival, Erica found ways to keep the business afloat, being ahead of the curve with innovation of service. She was invited to give her first international talk about keeping a cafe business open during the pandemic.
2020
TRANSITION
After a wonderful run, Erica greatly desired to move back home to Los Angeles to raise her kids. She transitioned from business ownership to being Head of Retail at a popular LA coffee company, then to Director of Operations of another.
2022
CONSULTING
Realizing her apt for business and the common difficulties across the board, she branched off to be a consultant, focusing on virtual education and fractional leadership for companies across the country.
2024
CAFE OPERATOR
Understanding the need for support for so many companies, Erica worked to expand her team and consulting operations to be able to support more coffee shop businesses through more kinds of educational programming, expanding her team, and hosting events.
2026
REaL RESULTS
for
REaL PEOPLE
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OPEN WITH MORE THAN A GREAT IDEA…
A beautiful space and great coffee are only part of the business. We help future owners think through the numbers, people, systems, and daily operations that will determine how the cafe actually works.
18+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
Across cafe ownership, openings, operations, leadership, education, and financial strategy.
32+ BUSINESSES SUPPORTED
From independent cafes to growing coffee companies with 27 locations.
THE FULL BUSINESS PICTURE
We bring P&L and people together so your financial plan, operations, and team can support one another from the beginning.
WE KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO OPEN A SUCCESSFUL CAFE.
We have taken cafes from an idea to opening day, built them through tight budgets, and learned firsthand which decisions can strengthen or derail a new business.
$15 - 40 K
Average cost of avoidable first-year mistakes
60%
Of independent cafes close
within the first year
12 HRS
Average weekly hours owners spend on fixable operational problems
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Cobalt
Lemon
Peach
What's Inside the
MEMBERSHIP
Access the full library the day you subscribe.
Everything in one subscription.
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WE know what you're thinking.
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“I DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START.”
That’s completely normal. We’ll help you understand what needs to happen, what decisions come first, and where your time and money will have the greatest impact.
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“I’M NOT FAR ENOUGH ALONG TO HIRE A CONSULTANT.”
Earlier is often better. Good guidance before signing a lease, buying equipment, or finalizing your concept can help you avoid expensive decisions that become difficult to change later.
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“I CAN’T AFFORD CONSULTING.”
You could be right! One-on-one consulting is a higher-priced service, and we know what it’s like to build a business with limited cash. We’ll be mindful of your budget and recommend the right level of support, whether that’s a focused coaching session, ongoing guidance, or a virtual class.
“CAN YOU TELL ME IF MY IDEA WILL WORK?”
We can’t promise that any concept will succeed, but we can help you examine the numbers, assumptions, market, operational needs, and risks so you can make a more informed decision.
