Café owner toolkit
Café signs in plain English, ready to print.
Short signs do the explaining for you. Each phrase below uses common words, an active verb and no slang, so a customer new to Australia can follow it. Change brackets to suit your café.
Ready-to-use sign phrases
Ordering and paying
Check the rules about surcharges and price display with the ACCC. See café surcharges and payments.
- Order and pay here.
- Please order at the counter.
- We bring your food to your table.
- Table service: tell us your table number.
- Cash and card accepted.
- Tap to pay is welcome.
- Card payments have a [X]% surcharge. This is shown before you pay.
Waiting and pickup
- Your name for the order, please.
- We call your name when your coffee is ready.
- Pick up your coffee here.
- Your coffee is on the end of the counter.
- Please wait here. We are making your order.
Milk, cups and dietary needs
- Milk options: full cream, skim, soy, oat [change to what you stock].
- Soy or oat milk: ask us. [Extra $X]
- Bring your own cup. We are happy to fill it.
- Please tell us about any food allergy before you order.
- Ask us about gluten-free and vegan options.
Staying in the café
- Free Wi-Fi: ask us for the password.
- Laptops are welcome until [time] on weekdays.
- Please share tables when we are busy.
- Toilets are [location]. Ask us for the key.
- Last orders at [time].
Welcome and offers
- New to Australia? Welcome. Ask us anything.
- Not sure what to order? Ask us. We can help.
- Student offer: [offer] with a valid student card. One per customer per visit.
- Conversation night: [day], [time]. All levels welcome.
- Ask for a taste. [if you offer it]
- Thank you for coming in.
Sign-writing tips
- Use we and you. “You can order here” is friendlier than “Orders taken here”.
- Put the action first: “Pay here”, not “Payment point”.
- Avoid slang on signs (“no worries”, “arvo”). Use it when you chat; use plain words in writing.
- Large type, high contrast, one message per sign.
- Add a small icon (cup, fork, card) so the sign works without reading.
- Keep the same words for the same thing: do not switch between “counter”, “register” and “till”.
- Update dates and prices quickly; an old offer sign hurts trust.
These are language tips, not legal or financial advice. For food labelling, allergen rules, surcharges, signage and trading rules, check FSANZ, your local council or state food authority, and the ACCC. Rules differ by state.