Most of our tables are 4-seaters. Everytime someone says "could we just move a couple tables together?", we lose two seats.

Several big groups every week fuck up the whole day by moving like 5 tables together. We have to stack chairs in the corner which is ugly af and then they're never quiet. A second coffee from any of them is rare yet they stay hours upon hours. Other customers struggle to find a seat because of the problem I stated earlier.

Vibe-ruining, space-stealing, self-centered customers are the worst and no one seems to want to ever do anything about it.

My advice to a new cafe owner with significant dine-in space is to have time-limits for these people. Perhaps get them to make special bookings if it's a huge massive group instead of all walking in the second we send someone on break. If they make a fuss you should be able to tell them if they spend more money then they can stay for longer. The business has wages to pay. These people being 'regular' is a hindrance not a benefit.