Coffee Shops & Restaurants: The EV Charging Goldmine
Of all business types, food service establishments are uniquely positioned to profit massively from EV charging. Here's why—and how to capitalize on this opportunity before your competition does.
If you own or manage a coffee shop, cafe, or restaurant in California, I'm about to share something that could transform your business: EV charging stations are a revenue goldmine for food service businesses—and most of your competitors have no idea.
Why Food Service Businesses Are Perfect for EV Charging:
- ✓ Customers naturally spend 20-40+ minutes at your location
- ✓ That's exactly how long Level 2 EV charging takes
- ✓ Your existing parking lot becomes a customer magnet
- ✓ EV drivers actively search for charging near food and coffee
- ✓ You generate income from BOTH the meal AND the charging
The Perfect Business Model Match
Here's the beautiful synergy that most restaurant owners miss: EV charging creates the perfect dwell time for your business.
The Charging-to-Dining Timeline:
Customer plugs in EV, walks into your coffee shop/restaurant
They browse menu, place order
Food/coffee served, they settle in
Finishing meal, maybe ordering dessert or second coffee
Car charged, customer leaves happy (and will return)
Compare this to a quick "grab and go" customer who's in and out in 10 minutes. With EV charging, you've automatically increased their visit by 3-4x—which means 3-4x the spending opportunity.
Real Numbers from Real Restaurants
☕ Blue Mountain Coffee - Sacramento
Installed 2 Level 2 chargers in October 2023
- Charging Revenue: $620/month
- Increased Food Sales: $3,200/month
- New Regular Customers: 45
- Total Monthly Increase: $3,820
🍽️ Garden Bistro - San Jose
Installed 3 chargers in March 2024
- Charging Revenue: $890/month
- Increased Food Sales: $5,100/month
- Lunch Rush Extension: +45 minutes
- Total Monthly Increase: $5,990
Notice the pattern: The charging revenue is nice, but the real money comes from increased food and beverage sales. EV charging doesn't just generate direct income—it fundamentally changes customer behavior in your favor.
Why EV Drivers Love Food Service Locations
Put yourself in an EV driver's shoes for a moment. They need to charge their car, which takes 20-40 minutes. Where would they rather do that?
❌ Empty Parking Lot
- • Nothing to do for 30 minutes
- • Sit in car on phone
- • Boring and wasted time
- • Won't return unless desperate
✅ Your Restaurant/Cafe
- • Great coffee/food while waiting
- • Comfortable seating, WiFi
- • Productive or relaxing time
- • Will actively seek you out again
For EV drivers, charging at a coffee shop or restaurant isn't just convenient—it's the ideal way to spend that time.
The "Coffee Shop Routine" Phenomenon
Here's something fascinating that's happening across California: EV drivers are building weekly routines around coffee shops and restaurants with charging.
"Every Saturday morning, I charge at The Daily Grind while having breakfast. It's become my weekly ritual. I could charge at home, but I love the excuse to get out, have great coffee, and get some work done. I spend about $25 every time I go."
— David Chen, Tesla Model 3 owner, Oakland
This is incredibly valuable. David could charge at home for $3-4, but he's choosing to spend $25 at a coffee shop instead. Why? Because the experience is worth it to him.
Multiply David by 20-50 regular customers, and you see why coffee shops with EV charging are seeing such dramatic revenue increases.
Revenue Streams: How You Make Money
When you install EV charging at your coffee shop or restaurant, you create multiple revenue streams:
💰 1. Direct Charging Revenue
$500-1,500/month per charger - You earn a share of the charging fees. This is passive income that requires zero effort once installed.
🍽️ 2. Increased Food & Beverage Sales
$2,000-5,000+/month - This is where the real money is. EV drivers come for charging, stay for the food, and often bring friends/family.
🔄 3. Repeat Customer Value
$100-300 per customer/month - EV drivers who find you will return weekly or more. One new regular customer can be worth $1,200-3,600 per year.
⏰ 4. Off-Peak Revenue
Fill slow times - Many restaurants see EV chargers bring customers during traditionally slow hours (mid-afternoon, early evening).
The Upsell Opportunity
Here's a strategy savvy restaurant owners are using: When customers know they're going to be there for 30-40 minutes anyway, they're much more likely to:
- Order an appetizer they wouldn't have otherwise
- Get a second coffee or beverage
- Order dessert
- Try something new on the menu
- Bring a friend next time ("We can hang out while my car charges")
💡 Pro Tip: The "Charging Special"
Some restaurants offer a "charging special"—a small discount or upgrade for customers who are charging their EVs. It encourages EV drivers to choose you over competitors and increases average ticket size. Example: "Charging today? Upgrade to premium coffee for free!"
Perfect Business Types for EV Charging
☕ Coffee Shops & Cafes
Why it works:
- • People work on laptops for hours anyway
- • Multiple purchase opportunities (refills)
- • Morning commute charging market
- • WiFi + charging = strong draw
🍳 Breakfast/Brunch Spots
Why it works:
- • Meals naturally take 30-45 minutes
- • Weekend traffic goldmine
- • Family-friendly timing
- • Higher ticket averages
🍕 Casual Dining Restaurants
Why it works:
- • Dinner service matches charging time
- • Groups of 2-4+ people
- • High revenue per visit
- • Date night destination
🥗 Fast Casual
Why it works:
- • Lunch crowd charging
- • Remote workers love this combo
- • Quick but quality
- • High volume potential
Competitive Advantage Over Chain Restaurants
Large chains are slowly adding EV charging, but as an independent restaurant or local coffee shop, you have advantages:
Your Advantages:
- ✓Faster Decision Making: You can install chargers in weeks, not years like corporate chains
- ✓Personal Touch: You can create a "regulars" culture that chains can't match
- ✓Community Connection: Local EV owners support local businesses
- ✓Better Food: Let's be honest—your food is probably better than chains
Marketing Advantage: You Get Found Automatically
When you install EV charging, your restaurant automatically appears on charging apps that thousands of EV drivers use daily:
- PlugShare: 1M+ active users searching for charging
- ChargePoint App: Shows your location to nearby drivers
- Tesla Navigation: Routes Tesla drivers to your location
- Google Maps: Lists you as an EV charging location
This is like having a billboard that only appears to your ideal customers:
- ✓ High income ($140k+ household average)
- ✓ Tech-savvy and educated
- ✓ Willing to pay for quality
- ✓ Actively looking for places to spend 30-45 minutes
Real Owner Testimonial
"I was skeptical at first. I thought EV charging was just for big corporations. But after talking with EV Charge Partners, I realized it was perfect for my cafe. We installed two chargers six months ago, and it's been incredible. We get about 15-20 EV drivers per day now, most of whom stay for 30-45 minutes and spend $15-25. That's an extra $300-400 per day in revenue I wouldn't have had otherwise. The charging fees cover the electricity and then some, so it's all upside. I wish I had done this two years ago."
— Patricia Wong, Owner, Morning Brew Cafe, San Francisco
Common Questions from Restaurant Owners
Q: Will EV customers take up parking from regular customers?
No—they ARE regular customers, they just happen to be charging. Plus, they typically stay longer and spend more, so you want these parking spots occupied.
Q: What if someone charges but doesn't come inside?
This is extremely rare. Charging takes 30-40 minutes—sitting in a car is boring. 95%+ of EV drivers come inside. You can also set pricing to encourage this (lower rates for customers).
Q: How much does installation cost?
For qualified California restaurants and coffee shops, installation is typically zero upfront cost. Programs exist specifically to help food service businesses add EV charging.
Q: What about electricity costs?
Charging fees are structured to cover electricity plus generate profit. You're not absorbing the cost—customers pay for the charging, and you get a share.
Time to Act: The First-Mover Advantage
Here's the reality: EV adoption in California is growing exponentially. Right now, you have an opportunity to be the first restaurant or coffee shop in your area with EV charging.
The Window is Closing
Once an EV driver finds a coffee shop or restaurant they like with charging, they become loyal to that location. They build it into their routine. If your competitor installs charging first, those customers may never give you a chance—even if your food is better.
In the next 2-3 years, EV charging will be as common as WiFi in restaurants. The businesses that move now will have established customer loyalty before everyone else catches on.
Getting Started
For California coffee shops and restaurants, the process is straightforward:
Your Path to EV Charging Revenue:
Free Consultation (This Week)
15-minute call to discuss your restaurant/cafe and see if you qualify for zero-cost installation
Site Assessment (Next Week)
We visit your location, evaluate parking, electrical capacity, and traffic patterns
Revenue Projection (Same Visit)
Based on your location and business type, we show you realistic revenue projections
Installation (3-6 Weeks)
We handle permits, electrical work, equipment, and software. You focus on your business.
Start Earning (Day One)
Chargers go live, you're listed on all major apps, and EV drivers start finding you
The Bottom Line
If you own a coffee shop or restaurant in California with a parking lot, EV charging is one of the highest-ROI investments you can make. The synergy between charging time and dining time is perfect, and you capture customers who are actively looking for exactly what you offer.
Revenue Increase
$3,000-7,000+/month typical
Longer Visits
30-40+ minutes vs 10-15 min
Upfront Cost
$0 for qualified locations
The question isn't whether to add EV charging—it's whether you want to be first in your area or watch your competition capture this market.
Ready to Transform Your Restaurant or Coffee Shop?
Get a free consultation and revenue projection for your location. Find out if you qualify for zero-cost installation.
Related Reading
Mom & Pop Businesses: Make Free Extra Income with EV Charging →
How small businesses compete with big chains using EV charging
How California Businesses Are Profiting from EV Charging →
Real stories and numbers from actual businesses
The Complete Guide to EV Charging for Business Owners →
Everything you need to know to get started