Behind The Apron

Written By Daniel Ng

A Real Week in the Life of a Café Owner

Running a Surry Hills café sounds dreamy, sunny mornings, specialty coffee, vibrant brunch plates and chats with locals. But ask anyone behind the scenes, and they’ll tell you, it’s also a whole lot of spreadsheets, scheduling, and showing up when you least expect it.

At Dad and the Frog Café, we’re proud to be one of the best cafes in Sydney not just because of our food and coffee, but because of what happens behind the curtain. Here's a peek into a typical week in my world as the owner.

Monday: Set the Tone

Every Monday starts with reviewing KPIs. How did we track on average spend? How many guests walked through our door? Then it's time to send out the leadership brief, what’s coming up, where we're headed, and what we’re focusing on this week. Our manager and head chef need the game plan early so they can lead strong.

Daily Rituals: Structure Is Everything

  • Prepare Tomorrow Today: Every evening, I block time to map out the next day. It keeps things sane.

  • Daily Review: What worked, what flopped, what needs tweaking.

  • Site Check-In: Every 2–3 days I walk the floor with fresh eyes, cleanliness, vibe, music, lighting.

  • Shift Cover: There's always a sickie. I try not to jump on shift, but sometimes the café calls.

Midweek: Marketing & Money

By Wednesday, I’m touching base with our bookkeeper, going over costs, and reviewing staff hours. Then it's time for marketing, sending briefs to our team, checking socials, and yes, writing these blogs (I aim for daily, but hey, life happens).

👉 Planning a catch-up? Book a table here.

Thursdays or Fridays: Deep Work Day

I always carve out time for one big-ticket project a week. It might be:

  • COGS review (cost of goods sold)

  • Menu refresh

  • Staff training

  • Maintenance check

  • System updates

Why This Matters to You

All of this? It’s how we make sure that when you walk into our little Surry Hills café, you get more than just a good meal, you get consistency, care, and a place that feels like it’s truly for you.

So next time you sip that perfectly pulled espresso or devour your favourite brunch plate, know it’s all backed by a whole lot of planning, passion, and hustle.

📍Visit Us: Dad and the Frog Café, 96 Fitzroy St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
📞 Call Us: 0422 809 025
🌐 Online: www.dadandthefrog.com.au

☕️ Every day is a good day to visit.

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Daniel Ng
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