Opening a Cafe: Packaging and Supplies Checklist
A new cafe needs a long list of small items before the first customer walks in. This checklist groups them by job, with the sizes and case quantities from our product pages, so you can order in one go and avoid running out in the first week.
1. Hot drinks
- Cups: 8oz and 12oz black ripple cups (cases of 500; the ripple wall is insulated, so no sleeve is needed), 12oz white single wall (case of 1,000) and 4oz espresso cups (case of 1,000).
- Lids: sold separately, named after the cup size. See which lid fits.
- Sleeves and stirrers: brown corrugated sleeves for single wall cups and 7.5 inch wooden stirrers (case of 500).
- Carriers: 2 cup holders (case of 360) and 4 cup trays (case of 180).
2. Cold drinks
Clear 12oz and 16oz PET cups with dome lids suit smoothies, milkshakes and iced coffee. They are for cold drinks only. See the smoothie cup guide.
3. Food to go
Choose containers by menu: kraft food boxes for sandwiches and wraps, hinged salad containers for salads and pasta, and deli bowls for soup. Our takeaway box guide explains the materials, and the bakery bags guide covers cakes and pastries.
4. Bags for the order
Medium brown kraft paper bags come in a case of 250, and can be printed with your logo. See the paper carrier bags guide.
5. Cutlery and serviettes
Wooden forks, knives and spoons come 1,000 to a case. See serviettes and the serviettes guide for 1 ply and 2 ply sizes.
6. Kitchen and front-of-house basics
- Black nitrile gloves: powder free and latex free, packs of 100 in medium, large and extra large.
- Blue roll: 150 m or 80 m centrefeed, packs of 6.
- Till rolls: 57 x 40 mm for card machines (case of 50) or 80 x 80 mm for EPOS printers (case of 20). Check your machine first.
- Heavy duty bin bags and cling film: see the catering supplies guide and the everyday supplies guide.
How much to order first
Cases are large, so start with one case of each item you will use daily and watch how fast it goes. There is no minimum order, so you can top up whenever you need. Order samples of anything you are unsure about.
Ordering and delivery
Prices are shown excluding VAT under each product. Free UK next-day delivery: orders placed by 4pm Monday to Friday leave the same day with Evri, fully tracked, next-day where Evri offers it to the address, otherwise standard, usually 2 to 5 days. See delivery information.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need sleeves on black ripple cups?
No. The ripple wall is insulated, so no sleeve is needed. Sleeves are for single wall cups.
Do coffee cups come with lids?
No, lids are sold separately. Choose the lid with the same size as your cup.
Can I put my logo on cups and bags?
Yes, printing is available through bespoke printing.
Is there a minimum order?
No. Delivery is free across the UK with no minimum order.