What are the key questions new operators should be asking around environmental requirements?  

Before speaking to suppliers, new operators should define what sustainability means to them and their business and identify any practical barriers to achieving those goals. The most effective environmental decisions balance customer expectations with operational realities and how these both fit within budgets and local infrastructure. 

New businesses should ask themselves:  

• What are my sustainability goals and what do my customers expect? 
• What budget, space and resources do I have for packaging and waste management? 
• What waste disposal services are actually available to me locally? 
• How will my products be sold, displayed and consumed, and what packaging will this require? 
• How will waste be separated and managed by my staff and customers? 
• What environmental legislation and future requirements do I need to plan for? 
• Are there any opportunities to collaborate with neighboring businesses to improve efficiency or reduce costs?    

When approaching suppliers, some useful questions to ask are:  

• How should your packaging be disposed and will it work with my local waste infrastructure? 
• What makes your products ‘environmental?’ What certification(s) do they hold? 
• How well does the packaging protect products and preserve shelf life? 
• What are the costs, storage requirements and lead times? 
• Can it be used across multiple product lines? 
• Can you provide guidance on waste management or recycling partners?  

What do new businesses often fail to consider? How can your company help them approach these challenges?  

One of the biggest challenges facing new operators is staffing. It’s common for café owners to interview dozens of candidates before finding the right people. Recruiting early is essential, as is having contingency plans in case key team members find work elsewhere before you actually open. 

Training is equally important. Every member of staff should understand their responsibilities around food safety and allergen management, with clear procedures in place from day one. Food labelling is a crucial part of this, helping businesses comply with allergen legislation while giving customers confidence in the products they're purchasing. We offer free labelling consultations to help operators understand their obligations and put compliant systems in place from the outset. 

Another consideration, particularly when taking over an existing hospitality site, is the expectations of the previous business's customer base. A venue once known for leisurely cream teas may not automatically attract the same audience if it becomes predominently grab-and-go. Operators should consider how they position their offer and whether there are opportunities to retain existing customers. 

One of the most common mistakes we see is businesses overextending themselves on fit-out costs. It's easy to focus on premium countertops, designer lighting or expensive tableware and overlook essential ongoing costs such as staffing, equipment maintenance and seasonal fluctuations in demand. 

Packaging and labelling in particular, is often left until the last minute. Operators spend months perfecting the look of their café, only to realise they’ve overlooked allergen compliance and product display. And all this beautifully made food ends up wrapped in basic bags with handwritten labels that don't reflect the quality of the brand they've worked so hard to create. 

The biggest regret we hear is: "I wish I'd thought about packaging and labelling sooner." This is especially true for businesses that want bespoke branded packaging but underestimate the lead times involved. 

When planning budgets and opening schedules, it's important to allocate funds for both packaging and labelling from the outset. If you want bespoke branded products, you'll typically need to allow three to five weeks for printed labels and up to 16 weeks for custom packaging, plus time for design and approvals.   

We offer solutions to suit most budgets, including off-the-shelf pre-branded packaging ranges and customizable labels which will be dispatched the same day they’re ordered. For businesses working to tight deadlines or with limited budgets, branded labels and stickers can be a simple, cost-effective way to add personality, professionalism and compliance to their food-to-go offer from day one.  
  

Good packaging influences first impressions and adds value - correct?  

Often, if new operators feel a bit overwhelmed by labelling compliance, they’ll bury their heads in the sand, but it really doesn’t have to be this nightmare they are imagining. We’ve made compliance - and labelling in general - very simple and easy with our labelling app in which you create your labels online and then print using your roll or desktop printer. I really wouldn’t recommend leaving labelling until the last minute but, if you do, the reality is we get people up and running very quickly.  

How important are environmental considerations to the consumer and the decisions they make?  

This varies hugely depending on the location and customer base. Businesses need to research what matters to their customers and consider how this aligns with their own environmental goals.

The reality is consumers usually focus on the food or drink first. Whatever you offer, it should be made to the highest possible standard, with packaging and presentation that support the quality of the product.

Brand story and perceived value are also important, and environmental goals can form part of both. Whether your father was a pastry chef, you fell in love with sandwiches backpacking around Sicily or you simply love good coffee, tell that story through your brand. 

When communicating the environmental aspects of your business, remove as many barriers as possible for your customers. Consumers generally want to do their bit and see that businesses are doing the same, but they do not want it to complicate their lives or make them feel as though they are getting something wrong. 

Make processes such as waste disposal simple, provide clear instructions and help customers feel positive about taking part. Avoid making them feel guilty about alternative choices, as this may discourage them from returning.  

Returning custom is key in this sector. How can they approach this?  

Give customers absolute confidence in both you and your offering. That means providing outstanding service and being innovative where possible - even if it is something as simple as your choice of condiments or adding a twist to your presentation. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel but do whatever you’re doing to your very best - and priced appropriately to your customer base. 

Building a strong brand identity is essential as it tells people who you are, what you're about and helps attract both new and repeat business. If you don’t have the budget for multiple bespoke products, branded takeout bags or coffee cups will speak volumes on your behalf. Where budgets are really tight, a branded sticker applied to a plain product offers a very cost-effective alternative. Loyalty cards can be another great way to boost return custom. You might also want to look at incentivising Google reviews or tagged posts on social media through a free coffee or cookie or something similar. This provides maximum return for minimum outlay and builds trust - not least as it’s coming from an existing customer.   

In terms of government legislation, what are major areas of consideration?  

The main one is the Food Information Regulation which requires prepacked food to display key information including the product name, ingredients, allergen declarations, storage instructions and use-by dates where applicable. Cafés and coffee shops will also be subject to Natasha’s Law - an amendment to the Food Information Regulations which came into effect in 2021. This states that all foods that are Pre-Packed for Direct Sale (PPDS) - such as sandwiches, salad pots or cakes packaged on-site before being chosen by the customer - must carry a full ingredients list highlighting the presence of 14 regulated allergens. This requires careful recipe management, ongoing monitoring of supplier specifications and label accuracy from the very start.  

As mentioned above, our labelling app LabelLogic Live takes the stress out compliance and has been designed specifically for food and drink providers in food service settings. It’s a really cost-effective labelling system as you’re using all your existing kit, nothing specialist, and the app’s available for as little as £15 per month. This includes full access to all features so you can create all your nutritional values and QUIDS, highlighting allergens, add logos and anything else you want to see on your label.  

Packaging - food or otherwise - is also increasingly regulated. Businesses should be aware of UK packaging waste and recycling requirements, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the move towards simpler recycling systems. Choosing packaging with clear disposal instructions and strong environmental credentials can help support both compliance and customer expectations. 

Our new flagship packaging and labelling range - Back to Nature - includes certified compostable and recyclable products. Developed in response to the Extended Producer Responsibility regulation and Simpler Recycling legislation, it opens up another waste stream to businesses and consumers alike. The reality is food and drink providers now operate in all manner of locations and environments and therefore require products that are as versatile as they are. Through Back to Nature, we look to bypass restrictions brought about by location and offer exceptional packaging products no matter where you are in the UK.   

This article appeared in the Autumn 2026, issue of Cafe Life Magazine as part of the 'How to Start and Run a Coffee Bar' feature. You can read the issue in full here.