Energy broker for Brisbane cafes — built for hospitality margins
Cafes run on tight margins, long opening hours, and demand profiles that look weirdly different to a retailer's standard SME quote. We re-shape the contract until it fits.
We're paid by the energy retailer when you switch — never by you.
Typical usage profile
- Annual electricity: 25,000 kWh – 90,000 kWh
- Peak demand: 10–35 kVA
- Tariff that usually wins: Time-of-Use for split-trade cafes, flat rate for dawn-only
- Gas (where applicable): 20–80 GJ/yr for back-of-house cooking
Where the bill goes wrong for cafes
- AC and fridges running 14+ hours
- barista equipment with high inrush
- tariff structures that don't match split-trade hours
Worked example
Assumptions: Inner-Brisbane cafe, ~52 MWh/yr, switched from incumbent retailer to SME panel offer
Retailers that fit cafes
- ✓ Origin Business
- ✓ Momentum
- ✓ Powershop
- ✓ Alinta Business
Retailer panel we shop on your behalf
Looking for a cafe energy broker in your suburb?
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Cafe energy — common questions
How exactly are Smarta Switch paid?
When we move your account to a new retailer, that retailer pays us a commission — partly upfront, partly as a trail over the life of the contract. We don't charge you a fee, mark up your rate, or add anything to your invoice. Ask us the exact dollar amount on any specific deal — we'll tell you.
Will my power get cut off when I switch?
No. Switching retailers doesn't touch the wires or your meter. Same poles, same wires, same network operator (Energex for nearly all SEQ). You just get a different name on your invoice — and a better number.
How long does a switch take?
Typical SEQ small-business switch: 10–20 business days from signing the Letter of Authority. We send the LoA, you sign, we lodge with the new retailer, they handle the meter-data hand-off with the network. Your old contract ends, the new one starts.
Will my power get cut off when I switch?
No. Switching retailers doesn't touch the wires or your meter. Same poles, same wires, same network operator (Energex for nearly all SEQ). You just get a different name on your invoice — and a better number.
How long does a switch take?
Typical SEQ small-business switch: 10–20 business days from signing the Letter of Authority. We send the LoA, you sign, we lodge with the new retailer, they handle the meter-data hand-off with the network. Your old contract ends, the new one starts.
What's a demand charge and why is mine so high?
Demand charges are the highest 15- or 30-minute usage peak in the month, multiplied by a $/kVA rate. If you've got AC cycling on at the same time as kitchen equipment, that peak compounds. The fix is usually a tariff that prices demand more fairly — or moving you off demand-tariffs altogether if your usage is too small to need them.
Am I on the right small-business tariff?
Probably not. Retailers don't migrate you automatically when better tariffs become available. We look at your usage profile, your peak demand, and your trading hours, then map you to the tariff your bill actually wants.
We're paid by the energy retailer when you switch — never by you.
When we move your account to a new retailer, that retailer pays us a commission — partly upfront, partly as a trail while you're with them. Your rate is your rate. There's no markup, no broker fee on your invoice, no monthly subscription.
We disclose the commission existence on every quote. If you want to know the exact dollar amount on a deal, ask. We'll tell you.
This is why we win on transparency: we'd rather show you the maths than dress up the savings.
Cafe owner? Send the bill — we'll quote it
Drop your most recent electricity or gas bill. I'll come back with what your retailer panel can do, in plain English, usually same day.
We're paid by the energy retailer when you switch — never by you. No obligation, no fee, your details stay with Smarta Switch.
- Usually replied same day
- We handle the switch end-to-end
- No supply interruption
Ready to see what your panel can do?
Send us your bill — we'll come back with real numbers, not a sales call.