Typical economics
- Mango / passion / pineapple cost per 500ml cup: KES 20-40
- Cup + lid + straw + branding: KES 6-12
- Sell price: KES 80-150 (Nairobi malls 150-200)
- Equipment depreciation (blender + cooler): KES 1,500-3,000/month over 24 months
Where the margin goes
People underestimate the energy cost. A commercial blender + cooler running 12 hours/day in a hot kiosk pulls KES 4-8k/month in electricity. If you're in a market stall without metered power, that's a fixed location-rent cost that eats into ROI.
Three moves to bump margin
- Tropical mix: 40% mango + 40% pineapple + 20% passion is much cheaper than pure passion juice and most customers can't tell. Margin +40%.
- Add yoghurt smoothies: KES 50 yoghurt per cup, sells KES 200-250. Higher margin than fruit juice if your fridge can handle the storage.
- Office delivery: monthly subscriptions to office buildings ("daily juice run, KES 6,000/month for 30 cups"). Locks in revenue, removes peak/trough.