A Michigan Coffee Brand Built from the Ground Up
For many people across Michigan, BIGGBY® COFFEE is part of everyday life. It is a morning stop before work, a familiar drive-thru on the way to school drop off, or a short pause during a busy afternoon. While BIGGBY® has expanded far beyond where it started, its foundation remains firmly tied to Michigan.
BIGGBY® COFFEE was founded in 1995 in East Lansing by Bob Fish and Mike McFall. At the time, the goal was simple. Create a welcoming coffee shop that is like a dear friend, a consistent force bringing you joy everyday. Bob and Mike worked tirelessly on a handshake and dream of what BIGGBY® COFFEE could become. They spent considerable time behind the counter serving coffee and taking care of customers while honing this shared vision of what the business could become. That early hands on involvement helped shape a company culture focused on approachability, consistency, and building community.
Those first years were spent laser focused on customer habits, preferences, and routines. That mindset of listening, observing and adapting became a defining part of BIGGBY® COFFEE’s identity and continues to influence how the brand operates today.
BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Strong Presence Across Michigan
Michigan remains the heart of BIGGBY®. The state is home to hundreds of locations, including a strong concentration throughout Metro Detroit and Southeast Michigan. From Detroit and Dearborn to Royal Oak, Troy, and surrounding communities, BIGGBY® COFFEE locations are woven into our communities.
BIGGBY® is 100% franchised, meaning all the shops are individually owned and operated. This structure allows each location to reflect the community it serves while maintaining a shared standard of quality and experience. It also creates a sense of familiarity that regular customers quickly recognize.
Rather than feeling like a distant national chain, BIGGBY® COFFEE often feels personal. Customers see familiar faces, develop routines, and build small connections that make each visit feel comfortable and energizing.
Coffee Designed for Everyday Routines
The BIGGBY® menu is intentionally broad in hopes of everyone finding something perfect for them. It includes espresso based drinks, energy drinks, cold brews , smoothies, brewed coffee, teas and seasonal offerings. The variety allows customers to find the right version of energy for their moment in time.
The coffee experience is not spectacle, it is a beautiful routine. It is about balance, familiarity, and comfort. That approach has helped BIGGBY® maintain a steady presence in an increasingly crowded coffee market.
A Brand Shaped by Local Ownership
BIGGBY® COFFEE’s franchising model emphasizes support for local owners. Many shop operators live in the communities they serve, giving them a direct connection to the people walking through the door each day.
This local ownership helps explain why BIGGBY® COFFEE locations often feel grounded. Each shop operates within a shared operational framework, but the people behind the counter and the customers they serve shape the atmosphere.
Over time, these small, repeated interactions build trust. That trust is a major reason BIGGBY® COFFEE continues to grow while maintaining a strong connection to Michigan.
A Familiar Name in Metro Detroit
Across Metro Detroit, BIGGBY® COFFEE has become a consistent part of the landscape. Whether located near residential neighborhoods, commercial corridors, or busy intersections, the brand fits naturally into the flow of daily life.
For many residents, BIGGBY® is not a destination so much as a constant. It is there on busy mornings, slow afternoons, and everything in between. That quiet consistency has allowed the brand to grow without losing its sense of place.
Why BIGGBY® Still Fits Into Daily Life
BIGGBY® COFFEE’s success did not come from chasing trends or reinventing itself every few years. Instead, it grew by focusing on people, innovation, and memorable experiences. In a state that values hard work and reliability, that approach has resonated.
As Michigan continues to grow and change, certain brands remain part of the everyday fabric that ties communities together. BIGGBY® COFFEE is one of those brands, shaped by its beginnings and sustained by the people who continue to make it part of their daily lives.