ChatGPT prompts for small business owners: 30 that work for cafés, salons and shops

The useful ChatGPT prompt is boring: one job, your real prices, your real voice, and a human check before anything customers see.

Below are 30 copy-paste prompts grouped by the jobs café, salon and shop owners actually do. Each one ends with what to verify before you use the output. None of this auto-posts or auto-sends.

How to use these prompts

Replace every [bracket] with your facts — or delete the line.
Paste a short voice sample when tone matters (2–3 sentences you wrote).
Ask for 2–3 options, not one "perfect" answer.
Run the check before using line every time.
Never paste private staff data, card numbers, or medical details into a public chat tool.

Honest limits: ChatGPT invents plausible-sounding hours, allergens and laws. It does not know your POS. It is weak on "what's trending on my high street this week" unless you paste the inputs. Treat it like a fast junior — not a manager.

GBot angle (optional): If your workspace already has your menu, prices and tone (as GBot does after onboarding), you can skip the long "here's my business" paragraph and jump to the task. Mute that sentence and every prompt below still works in plain ChatGPT.

A. Menu, services and price lists (1–6)

1) Rewrite a menu item

You are helping a [café / restaurant]. Rewrite this menu item in 15–25 words, sensory but not cheesy. No invented ingredients.
Item: [name]
Ingredients / facts: [list]
Price: [price]
Voice sample: [paste 2 sentences]
Give 3 options.

Check before using: every ingredient and the price match the ticket.

2) "From" price line for a salon service

Write a one-line price list entry for a salon. Service: [cut / colour /…]. Duration: [minutes]. From-price: [£/$]. Mention that exact quote depends on [hair length / density /…]. Plain language, no hype. 2 options.

Check before using: from-price and time match what stylists actually book.

3) Bundle three items without killing margin

Suggest 3 bundles from this list. Each bundle: name, what's included, suggested price, estimated food/product cost if I provide costs. Do not discount more than [X%].
Items + cost + sell price: [paste]

Check before using: do the margin math yourself; ignore any cost it invents.

4) Allergen / dietary note (honest)

Draft a short menu footer about allergens for a [café]. We can confirm: [list what you can confirm]. We cannot guarantee: [e.g. traces in shared kitchen]. No legal claims. 80 words max.

Check before using: matches your real kitchen practice and local rules — have a manager sign off.

5) Explain a price increase on one item

Customers will ask why [item] moved from [old] to [new]. Give 3 spoken sentences for staff (honest, calm, no blame). Cost drivers we can mention: [rent / cocoa / wages /…]. Do not invent other reasons.

Check before using: only reasons you would repeat to a regular's face.

6) Compare three tier names

Propose 3 naming sets for service tiers (good / better / best) for a [salon / gym / shop]. Tiers: [describe]. Avoid luxury clichés. Table format.

Check before using: names do not clash with a competitor you care about (still do your own trademark search for brand names — see how to check if a business name is trademarked).

B. Price-change and policy notices (7–11)

7) In-shop price-change sign

Write a A5 counter sign: prices for [list] change on [date]. Tone: direct, grateful, not apologetic essay. Max 60 words. Include one line on why in plain English: [reason].

Check before using: date, items, new prices.

8) Email / SMS price notice

Draft a short email to regulars about a price update on [date]. Subject + 80-word body. CTA: [no action needed / book before date at old price /…]. No guilt.

Check before using: who is on the list and whether you promised any freeze.

9) No-show / late-cancel policy (draft)

Draft a client-facing no-show policy for a [salon]. Window: [24h / 48h]. Fee: [amount or %]. How to cancel: [link / phone]. Firm but fair. Not legal advice — flag anything I should have a human check.

Check before using: matches what you will actually charge; local consumer rules; how your booking tool works. (Fuller template: salon no-show policy.)

10) Tip-screen counter line

One sentence for a tip-screen sign. Tips go to [team on shift / pooled /…]. Make clear no tip is fine. Max 20 words.

Check before using: tip pooling truth; POS % buttons separately (tip screens setup).

11) Holiday hours post

Instagram caption + story text: holiday hours [paste grid]. First line must state the next closed day. No hashtag spam. 3 options.

Check before using: every hour against the door schedule and Google Business Profile.

C. Reviews and customer replies (12–16)

12) Bad Google review reply

Draft a public reply to this Google review. Facts I confirm: [what happened]. Offer: [refund / remake / invite back /…]. Offline contact: [email]. Sign as [Name], owner. Max 90 words. No arguing.
Review: [paste]

Check before using: you actually offer what you promise; see how to reply to a bad Google review.

13) Possibly fake / can't match visit

Draft a calm reply when we cannot find a visit matching this review. Ask for date via email [email]. Do not accuse them of lying. 60 words.

Check before using: you really checked bookings/POS.

14) Five-star thank-you with one detail

Thank this five-star review. Mention one specific detail from their text. Invite a return without a discount code unless I provide one. 40 words.
Review: [paste]

Check before using: detail is real; no fake incentive.

15) Instagram DM — price / book

Saved reply for Instagram DM asking price of [service] at [price], duration [time], book link [url]. Friendly, under 4 short lines.

Check before using: price and link; templates expand in Instagram DM replies.

16) Complaint — move offline

DM reply: acknowledge [specific issue], apologise without over-admitting legal fault, move to phone/email [contact] same day. Under 5 lines.

Check before using: manager will own the thread.

D. Social posts and local marketing (17–22)

17) One week of captions (skeleton)

Create 7 Instagram caption skeletons for a [café / salon / shop]. Themes: behind the scenes, one product, staff spotlight, community, offer, education, weekend hours. Each: 1-line hook + 2 facts + soft CTA. I will add photos. No invented awards or "best in city" claims.

Check before using: every fact; offers you will honour.

18) Product drop / seasonal item

Caption for launching [item] on [date] at [price]. Say who it's for in one line. 3 options, different energy (calm / playful / straight).

Check before using: stock and date.

19) Reel script (15–30s)

15–30 second Reel script: hook (first 2s), 3 beats, end card text. Topic: [e.g. how we foam milk / colour consult]. No trending-audio claims. On-screen text lines included.

Check before using: you can film it this week with real staff consent.

20) Google Business Profile update

Short GBP post (max 100 words): [event / offer / hours]. Include one clear next step. No clickbait.

Check before using: offer end date; phone/link correct.

21) Window poster copy

A3 window poster: headline ≤6 words, sub ≤12 words, one detail line, fine print [dates]. Product: […].

Check before using: printer proof vs price board.

22) Collaboration / local shout-out

Friendly post tagging a neighbouring [business type] we actually partner with. No fake "collab" if I only mean a compliment. 50 words.
Real relationship: [describe]

Check before using: other owner is OK being mentioned.

E. Staff and ops messages (23–27)

23) Staff rota / shift change notice

Message to staff WhatsApp/SMS: week of [dates]. List shifts I paste. Flag who opens/closes. Ask people to confirm by [deadline]. Clear, respectful, no public shaming.
Shifts: [paste]

Check before using: rota is the agreed one; privacy (don't paste medical reasons).

24) Pre-service briefing (one page)

One-page pre-shift brief: today's [reservations / promotions / 86'd items / VIP notes]. Bullet only. I paste the facts — do not invent.

Check before using: 86 list is current.

25) Hiring post

Job post for [role] at [business]. Must-haves: [list]. Nice-to-haves: [list]. Pay: [range or "ask us"]. How to apply: [email]. No discriminatory language. 150 words.

Check before using: pay wording is lawful where you are; you will read every application.

26) Supplier delay — customer line

Two sentences staff can say when [ingredient / product] is delayed. Honest, offer alternative […]. No over-promising a date unless I give one: [date or unknown].

Check before using: alternative is in stock.

27) Closing early / emergency

SMS to today's bookings + Instagram story text: we must close from [time] because [high-level reason]. Reschedule options: […]. Apologetic, practical, no overshare.

Check before using: every booked guest contacted.

F. Planning and research helpers (28–30)

28) Competitor menu teardown (inputs you paste)

Compare these three competitor price lists I paste. Table: item, their price, our price, gap. Suggest 3 questions I should answer — not prices I should copy.
Paste: […]

Check before using: you collected the prices; don't scrape where you shouldn't.

29) FAQ page draft

Draft an FAQ (8 questions) for my [business] from this fact sheet. If a fact is missing, ask me — do not invent.
Fact sheet: [hours, parking, allergens, booking rules, pets, cards, accessibility…]

Check before using: every answer against reality; publish only after a walkthrough.

30) Turn messy notes into a checklist

Turn these voice-note bullets into a numbered opening or closing checklist. Keep my order of operations. Flag anything unsafe or unclear.
Notes: [paste]

Check before using: walk the checklist once before you hand it to new staff.

What ChatGPT is bad at (skip these)

Bad ask	Do this instead
"What are my sales this week?"	Export from your POS
"Is this name trademarked?"	Search USPTO / UKIPO; ask a lawyer
"Guarantee this email complies with the law"	Use a solicitor / accountant for legal/tax
"Auto-reply to every review"	Draft → you approve → you post
"Best price to charge" with no costs	Give Sam (or a spreadsheet) real costs first

A 15-minute weekly habit

Pick three prompts you'll reuse (review reply, hours, one caption).
Save them in a note with your voice sample at the top.
After each use, fix the prompt where the model got you wrong (add "never say X").
Once a month, delete any prompt that still sounds like a press release.

Clear prompts beat clever ones. Your prices. Your hours. Your approval — every time.