[anakha]

Very different expectations in the US market I have found. People want to drink their filter coffee or large, milky espresso drinks while they sit comfortably with their laptops using the free wifi. No comparison to the average Italian who wants to down a quick espresso and be on their way.

Australian cafes make out like bandits these days. They're basically breakfast/lunch restaurants that serve great espresso based drinks, mostly don't offer wifi and have no problem moving customers along if they stop buying drinks so they can cycle the table space for new customers.

[crispyambulance]

Yeah, the first time you show an Italian a "venti mocha frappuccino" from Starbucks, the WTF-look on their face is priceless.