Summary
Turnkey, beautifully branded Manly café with complete fitout and streamlined systems. Efficient, easy-to-run space ideal for a long-term operator or owner-operator.
Rent
$7,000 pm
Location Details
Shop 1B/ 1 The Corso, MANLY, NSW 2095
Located on the main pedestrian The Corso, linking Manly Wharf and the beach, catching customers moving to the wharf, arriving from the car park, or stepping off public transport.
Potential
Growth opportunities include extended trading hours to capture commuter and evening demand, a broader grab-and-go offer, and the introduction of high-margin retail SKUs. The brand, menu and marketing framework are intentionally adaptable, enabling targeted optimisation as the operator scales. Recent upgrades to cabinetry, electrical capacity and plumbing further support increased production volume with minimal additional investment.Both first-time and experienced operators can thrive when their approach matches the café’s scale and rhythm.
Skills
This business suits an owner-operator or small team with basic to strong hospitality experience who is seeking a shift from complex, high-pressure venues into a simpler, community-focused model. Success here comes from alignment with the neighbourhood style of service: consistency, genuine customer connection and long-term presence. Strong customer service skills, adaptability and familiarity with food preparation and daily operations are important. The streamlined menu and systems reduce complexity at the start while providing room to grow.
Hours
The café is currently operated 6 days per week, Tue-Sun. Not all public holidays are open.
Lease
The lease remains in place until September 2029. Lease is available as part of contract of sale.
Employees
Current employees are university students living locally. All paid on the book by the Fast Food Industry Award.
Reason for Sale
The owner specialises in building and stabilising but not owner-operator. This business is best suited to a hands-on owner-operators seeking franchise-level structure without franchise restrictions. An engaged operator applying their own skill, energy and customer focus can extract strong returns, with performance structured around a realistic three-year capital recovery horizon rather than speculative upside.
About the Business
Postioned on The Corso - main street between Manly Whard and its beach. You get exposure to commuter, tourist and local foot traffic, comparable to locations typically targeted by franchise brands. The footprint is small, service-focused and structured for efficiency rather than full-service dining.
The business currently runs on a simplified coffee-and-takeaway model built around jaffles, juices and breakfast staples to limit complexities and within controlled labour. The infrastructure is capable of supporting higher output than the café is presently achieving.
Performance to date reflects stable operation rather than full optimisation. Trading is concentrated in morning and lunch windows, with clear capacity to extend into afternoon and early evening demand. The existing setup does not yet extract the full commercial potential of the location. A stronger operator with franchise-level execution standards could lift throughput, consistency and revenue without requiring structural changes.
Since initial acquiring of the business, the current owner has upgraded cabinetry, electrical capacity and plumbing were completed to future-proof the venue and remove the hidden capital burdens often associated with small hospitality sites. The physical environment is ready for increased production volume; improvement now depends primarily on management discipline and operator skill.
This opportunity sits in the same price bracket as many entry-level franchise purchases but operates independently — no royalties, no head office controls and full autonomy over growth decisions. It is not a passive asset. The café requires an engaged owner-operator willing to apply structured systems, customer focus and hands-on leadership. For a buyer seeking a franchise-style framework without franchise restrictions, the platform is in place; the next level of performance depends on execution.
History
The café was acquired to bring structure and clarity to a difficult site that lacked direction. The owner rebuilt the venue from the ground up—refining the concept, simplifying operations and creating a stable, well-defined model. With the groundwork complete, the current owner has fulfilled the role of rebuilding and stabilising, and and is now seeking the right long-term operator who can carry the business forward, with skills, style and team structure that align with its next stage of growth.
Connect with us