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EE441 - From 0 to 5 Million Views in 1 Week: The Adults-Only Café That Went Viral
Season 26 Episode 1
In this episode of The Entrepreneur Experiment, Gary sits down with Alan Andrews, the unapologetically honest founder behind Old Barracks Roastery and Gucci Coffee Bar. Known for his bold social content and Ireland’s most controversial coffee shop (no kids allowed, dogs welcome, €15 cups of coffee), Alan lifts the lid on the real cost of starting and scaling a successful hospitality business.
He breaks down the myths that plague the coffee industry — from delusional €10K startup budgets to the glorification of hustle culture — and explains why €100K is the minimum buy-in for building a sustainable, profitable coffee business. Alan also shares the deeply personal reasons behind his adults-only policy, how he prioritises family without sacrificing growth, and why honesty (not trends) should drive your brand strategy.
This episode is a masterclass in branding, business modelling, and living by your values — one cup at a time.
Show Notes:
In this episode, we cover:
☕ The Real Costs of Starting a Coffee Shop
Why €10K won’t cut it, and what you actually need to spend
How Alan built a coffee bar in Limerick for €100K — and what that buys you
The weekly turnover benchmark every shop needs to survive: €10K
📈 Sustainability in Hospitality
Are you building a job or a business?
The industry’s problem with low-barrier entry and poor planning
Why coffee deserves the same pricing architecture as wine or steak
🔥 Polarising Branding & Standing Out
The €15 coffee that sparked national debate
Adults-only cafes: creating intentional spaces for deep connection
Why Alan doesn't care if everyone likes him — and how it’s his superpower
🎯 Transparent Social Media Marketing
Alan’s viral TikToks on coffee costs and customer misconceptions
How to win on social in 2025: go real, go niche, get honest
"The customer isn’t always right — sometimes they’re just not your customer."
👨👧 Entrepreneurship & Fatherhood
The hidden reason Alan created a kid-free cafe
How divorce and co-parenting shaped his time philosophy
The ultimate goal: build a business that doesn’t cost you your family
💬 “You didn’t even buy yourself a job — you bought yourself a trap. You’re working 14 hours a day, making no money, and calling it entrepreneurship.”
Links & Resources:
Visit Old Barracks Roastery (Birdhill): https://oldbarracks.ie/
Follow Alan on TikTok: Published on 17 hours ago