Need advice on starting a cafe business...???

My dad owns a relatively large convenient store/ gas station. We were thinking of doing something in order to increase traffic in our store. I had an idea of adding a mini cafe/deli within the store. I orginally was thinking of having an addition built to attach to the store, but then i thought we should start small then expand as business grew. We do sell a decent amount of bagged coffee, but i want to increase the variety. There is another coffee shop in a plaza relatively close by but its in a enclosed parking lot and i believe we have easier access for customers and therefore, better business.

I was wondering, does anyone have any experience or suggestions as to what i need to do in order to get started? Do u think i have a good idea? ANY SUGGESTIONS OR INPUT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!

Starting a new business requires some giving, I know free coffee sometime brings more customers it don't have to be the best coffee, just coffee period, make sure your pastries are very close with little mark up in price, don't do it forever but a month or two you should see an increase I think in my opinion you should see a increase in the mornings rush. And if you are adding a cafe try enclosing it away from the other areas with a musical feel for the food in the cafe. I think you will standout as long the foods good.

1. Have a stainless steel counter installed near a commercial sink and have it meet all the local healthe codes for preparing food. This will require food-safe caulking and more. You must have it inspected by a health inspector on a regular basis.

2. By your meats in bulk and slice them yourself o a meat slicer. Do not buy presliced meats. This will save you money AND the meat will be fresher.

3. Prepare all your veggies in the morning before you open the sandwich shop. You don't need to be stopping to slice tomatoes during the lunch rush.

4. Try new menu items about once a week and give them a good trial run of at least a week or two before deciding to not carry it.

5. Don't forget the cheesecake!

Sounds cool to me...
I really do think it is a good idea. Get people anticipated so when it opens people actually go to it for their regular Dunkin Donuts. Just have fun with it, and see what happens. Have a few tables and what not. Get the word around. Also remember you will have to hire people to work there, and get inventory for the coffee and get really expensive machines to make the coffee and stuff. Think of the little things.

Put in a drive through! There is a gas station where i live called the Grand Central Coffee Station, and while you are getting gas, you can intercom in your order so its ready when you go in and pay, but the coolest thing is their drive through. Its become a regular stop, since you dont have to even get out of the car, great for people with kids, or on their way to work...anyway, they have incredible smoothies in a million flavors that taste amazing. The best Ive ever had, and the drive through makes it so much more convenient! Think about it!!!