Down the road from my house are 3 coffee shops in a row, now that’s competitive!!

Number 1 is groovy, dark and sells good coffee
Number 2 is light, bright and sells good coffee
Number 3 is light, groovy and sells good coffee

All have similar products, similar pricing and good coffee.

Number 3 has been there for 10 years
Number 2 has been there for 20 years with a new owner 5 years ago
Number 1 has been there for 2 years

7am on a weekday and 3 different results.  It amazes me because I have been in all 3 and now I also, along with 10-30 other people, go to number 2 every morning.

WHY?

Service and no other reason!
They remember my order, they smile, laugh and have fun banter with their customers.
The thing that amazes me even more is how the other 2 coffee shops don’t walk outside their business, have a good look and think about why they are nowhere near as busy!!

Sometimes we do need to take a step back and find people that are doing it right and look at what they are doing better!!

PS I know I’m not telling you anything new but when was the last time you looked into your business from the outside?