BIGGBY COFFEE CELEBRATES SUCCESS, AWARDS TOP FRANCHISEES, BARISTAS AT ANNUAL MEETING IN EAST LANSING

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BIGGBY COFFEE CELEBRATES SUCCESS, AWARDS TOP FRANCHISEES, BARISTAS AT ANNUAL MEETING IN EAST LANSING

This August, more than 200 owners, operators, baristas and other key staff representing BIGGBY COFFEE franchise locations throughout seven states will spend three days in the city where it all began. The gourmet coffee retailer will hold its annual meeting at East Lansing’s Marriott Hotel from Tuesday, August 16 – Thursday, August 18.

The 2011 Annual Meeting marks BIGGBY COFFEE’s 16th year in business and will be the largest in company history. The meeting consists of a series of workshops, presentations, activities, awards ceremonies and fun!

One of the most sought-after awards comes in memory of Lansing’s own Todd Miles. Miles worked as a barista and embodied the spirit and personality of BIGGBY COFFEE. Always full of life, laugher and a friendly smile, Miles befriended everyone he met from across the barista counter. After he unexpectedly passed away several years ago, BIGGBY COFFEE developed an award in his name to be given to the barista who most exemplifies his spirit and the “B Happy” brand.

Nine BIGGBY COFFEE baristas have been selected by customers as “Best Barista.” The following recipients and are in the running for this year’s Todd Miles Award and the winner be announced at the annual meeting:

• Johnny Horal – Washtenaw/Livingston County
• Kristyn  Heagberg – Grand Rapids
• Kristen Bird – Kalamazoo
• Marcy Powelson – Lansing
• Donna White – Macomb
• Jonathon Latham – Oakland
• Emma Vanslembrouck – Out of DMA
• Shelby Oehlers – Toledo
• Jillian Kerchen – Wayne

In addition, one franchise location will be recognized with the “Favorite Store” award, which was also selected by customer voting. The award will be given to the franchise operator that optimally blends energy, ambiance, customer engagement and satisfaction in their store. BIGGBY COFFEE will also award the winner and runner-up in the 2011 BIGGBY BEAR Drink Invention Contest. This marks the second year for the contest and the winner was also chosen by customer votes.

“We are extremely excited for this year’s annual meeting and the chance we have to come together as a BIGGBY COFFEE family,” Bob Fish, CEO and co-founder of BIGGBY COFFEE said. “While this event gives us a chance to learn from each other’s experiences and enhance the BIGGBY COFFEE system, more importantly it’s an opportunity to recognize our franchisees and celebrate what we have accomplished together in our 16 years as a company!”

The Annual Franchise meeting is closed to the public, however, Fish and the rest of the BIGGBY crew has invited everyone to The Post Bar in East Lansing at 11 pm on Wednesday, August 17th for a toast to celebrate 16 years of Michigan-made success!

 About BIGGBY COFFEE®
East Lansing, Mich.-based BIGGBY® COFFEE opened a single store in March of 1995 based on the founding principle that coffee-lovers and the coffee-curious alike would benefit from a less pretentious approach to the standard gourmet café paradigm. BIGGBY COFFEE introduced connoisseur-worthy drinks with pronounceable names like Teddy Bear and Caramel Marvel, and barista staff surprises guests with simple gestures like free kazoos and bouncy balls for no other reason than to brighten their day. The “Big ‘B’” on the orange background caught on, and today BIGGBY COFFEE has 135 cafes open or under contract across seven states including Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, South Carolina, Wisconsin and Texas.  For more information, visit www.biggby.com.