First BIGGBY COFFEE Location to Open in Kalamazoo
Posted on January 10, 2008
Kalamazoo, Mich., January 10, 2008 – The Lansing Mich.-based coffee retailer formerly known as Beaner’s Coffee will unveil its new BIGGBY COFFEE moniker to Kalamazoo on Monday, January 14 with the opening of a new store at 3216 Stadium Drive.
To celebrate its Grand Opening, the new location will offer free brewed coffee all week.
BIGGBY COFFEE, founded in 1995, announced it would change its name this past fall over concerns that its former name might be considered a disparaging term. All new stores are opened as BIGGBY COFFEE shops, and the remaining Beaner’s stores will convert in the first quarter of this year.
The new store marks the 17th area location in West Michigan and the first for father and son team Allen and Kyle Kinney.
“I was first introduced to Beaner’s Coffee a year ago by a friend with a ‘buy one get one free’ coupon,” said Kyle Kinney. “I was a loyalist at a different coffee shop, but as soon as I walked through those doors I was converted. I’d been looking for a retail franchise opportunity with my father and this was the perfect fit.”
The new store is open seven days a week and features drive thru service, free wireless internet access and plentiful seating for students and business group meetings.
The Kalamazoo-area growth is in line with the Company’s plan to expand its retail presence in the Midwest and South by 60 percent before 2010.
BIGGBY COFFEE continues its rapid ascent in the gourmet coffee retail sector with a 53 percent increase in system-wide sales in 2006— nearly half of that realized as new store growth.
About BIGGBY COFFEE®
East Lansing, Mich.-based BIGGBY COFFEE was founded in March 1995 and began franchise operations in 1999. Today the Company has 85 stores open and an additional 69 under development across nine states including Michigan, Ohio, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, South Carolina and Wisconsin. BIGGBY COFFEE features more than 30 gourmet coffee, fine tea and frozen drink selections in addition to an assortment of pastries and other fine eatables. For more information about BIGGBY COFFEE, visit biggby.com.