What should I check before buying a board game cafe?

A board game cafe combines a coffee shop, a lending library and a games store. A review built for a plain cafe misses much of that, and so does one built for a hobby shop. Start with the general steps in the cafe due diligence guide, then add the checks below, which are particular to this hybrid.

How the money comes in

Ask the seller to separate revenue into table time or cover charges, food and drink, retail game sales and event fees. Some cafes charge by the hour or the person, others by a flat cover. Ask how that model has changed, how memberships work, and whether any prepaid passes would become your obligation after closing. Check the records against the point-of-sale reports.

The game library

The library is the main asset, and it wears out. Ask how many titles there are, which ones are popular, how often games are replaced and how missing pieces are tracked. Ask for the list and look at a sample of boxes yourself. Find out which games are the owner’s personal copies, and whether any are on loan from publishers or customers.

Staff, events and seating

Staff who can teach a game are part of what customers pay for. Ask who they are, how they are trained, and whether they would stay. Look at the event calendar: leagues, game nights, birthday bookings, and which depend on one organiser. Ask how often tables turn over on busy and quiet nights, and whether the layout limits growth.

Permits and the lease

Food service in a cafe needs the right permits, and the rules differ by location, so confirm those with the proper authority and your lawyer. Read the lease for use clauses, renewal terms and whether the landlord must consent to a new tenant. These points are best settled before you sign, not after.