BIGGBY COFFEE

Her family had their eyes on owning a business, but without any prior experience they knew they could tap into the experiences of her sister and family. Having already developed strong ties to their home community of Marysville, Ohio, the Cruises knew this would be a great opportunity.Sandy’s sister and her husband, who live in Michigan, are multi-unit operators of<a href="https://www.biggbyfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lifelong-nurse-and-mother-opens-first-biggby-coffee-in-hometown-of-marysville-ohio-with-husband-and-son-2722906" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;BIGGBY® COFFEE</a>. After speaking to them about the franchise, Sandy and her family decided that they wanted to give it a try. In 2020 she along with her son and husband opened her first<a href="https://1851franchise.com/biggbycoffee/info">&nbsp;BIGGBY® COFFEE</a>&nbsp;location in Marysville, Ohio. After three years, Sandy and her family have signed a franchise agreement to open a second location later this year.1851 Franchise recently spoke to Cruise about why she left a career in health care to pursue business ownership, and what plans she has for the future.1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Cruise:&nbsp;After getting my Bachelor’s degree in nursing, I was a labor and delivery nurse for about 20 years, along with doing some occupational health nursing part-time. My husband and son really became interested in franchising after watching my sister and her husband open their own BIGGBY® COFFEE&nbsp;location in Northern Michigan. That’s what first piqued our interest. At the time, we were looking for some sort of opportunity but didn’t know exactly what. So, we spoke to them, and we were really interested in it, especially my husband, who was talking about it all the time. Around the same time, they were opening a new store, so we got to see the process of opening a BIGGBY® COFFEE&nbsp;franchise and how busy they were. It was after seeing their success and with their encouragement that we decided we wanted to get involved as well.We opened our first&nbsp;BIGGBY® COFFEE location in February 2020, and we’ve got another location on the way!1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?Cruise:&nbsp;I hadn’t thought about it a whole lot, to be honest. But I always thought it was something that was very hard to do. I never expected to be involved in this industry. But watching our own family do it opened our eyes a bit more and made us realize it could be a possibility. Our family was so encouraging. They really were one of the main reasons we decided to pursue a franchise.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Cruise:&nbsp;We really like the product. I love coffee and&nbsp;BIGGBY® COFFEE has such a good product. I also want to say, as a franchise,&nbsp;BIGGBY® COFFEE really sets you up for success. They have a very good training program, and if you follow the systems they’ve set in place, it can work for you, too. Our son, Brandon, manages the store now and by following the brand’s guidelines, it’s really worked out for us.&nbsp;&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Cruise: Our son is a part owner and we’ll likely eventually sell the business to him. I think two is plenty for me right now, but down the road, if he wants to open more locations, he can! We really accomplished what we wanted to do with our business, though. Brandon has become the leader we always knew he was. He’s done such a great job with our employees and our customers; we couldn’t be prouder of him.1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Cruise: We just love being involved with the community. In 2002, we planned and opened a local church from scratch. Through that experience, we met a lot of people in our community that we didn’t know initially. We’ve been in our community for more than 20 years, and we’re passionate about building relationships within our community. That’s so important to us.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Cruise:&nbsp;Talk to other owners. Hear their stories about what has and hasn’t worked.&nbsp;BIGGBY® COFFEE has a proven model, so just stick to it. And of course, build relationships with other owners. Those connections can help you grow and help you solve problems. A franchise can be a lot of hard work, but stick with it because there are some incredible rewards.<h3>About The BIGGBY® COFFEE Franchise</h3>BIGGBY® COFFEE, based in East Lansing, Mich., was started with a single store on March 15, 1995. One year later, and on the cusp of opening a second location, Bob Fish and Michael McFall, on a handshake and $4,000, decided to franchise the concept. The brand’s cultural values of Make Friends, Have Fun, B Yourself and Share Great Coffee help coffee-lovers and the coffee-curious alike benefit from a less pretentious and fun approach to the standard gourmet cafe paradigm. Besides connoisseur-worthy drinks with names like Teddy Bear® and Caramel Marvel®, BIGGBY® COFFEE baristas provide a unique experience focused on brightening their customers’ day and supporting them in building a life they love. The “Big ‘B’” on the orange background caught on, and today BIGGBY® COFFEE has 340 cafes across many states, including Virginia, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Idaho, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Kentucky and Florida.

Lifelong Nurse and Mother Opens First BIGGBY® COFFEE in Hometown of Marysville, Ohio with Husband and Son

1851 Franchise

Sandy Cruise left a long career in nursing to open a  BIGGBY® COFFEE location in her hometown of Marysville, Ohio with her husband and oldest son Brandon after witnessing the success in the franchising industry of her sister’s family.


This brand page has been paid for by BIGGBY COFFEE. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

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Fresh Starts and Sweethearts: BIGGBY® COFFEE Brings Back Winter Favorites and Adds a TWIX® Twist for Valentine’s Season

The Sweetest Season: BIGGBY® COFFEE Rings in the Holidays With Cookie-Themed Drinks and the Return of Peppermint Favorites

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EAST LANSING, Mich. —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.biggbyfranchising.com/">BIGGBY® COFFEE</a>, the 460-plus-unit high-energy coffee franchise, is kicking off 2026 with seasonal menu favorites, festive Valentine’s offerings, value-driven bundles and a limited-time TWIX® collaboration paired with a spotlight on its hot chocolate lineup. The seasonal menu runs Jan. 2 through Feb. 25, 2026.&nbsp;This winter, BIGGBY® COFFEE is featuring three distinct seasonal beverage categories designed to bring comfort, creativity and a little extra sweetness to the colder months.First, fan-favorite Salted Caramel beverages return with a new twist, featuring&nbsp;TWIX®-inspired flavors topped with a&nbsp;TWIX® candy crumble.In addition, BIGGBY® COFFEE is spotlighting its lineup of rich, comforting hot chocolate beverages, offering both classic and seasonal flavors perfect for snowy winter days.And for Valentine’s Day, BIGGBY® COFFEE is serving up festive, sweet treats, including Red Velvet beverages, the Sweetheart BIGGBY Blast® energy drink and the Berry Chocolatey Creme Freeze.Featured Valentine’s beverages include:<ul><li>Red Velvet Latte (hot, iced, frozen) and Sweet Foam Red Velvet Cold Brew</li><li>Sweetheart BIGGBY Blast® Energy Drink (strawberry and dragon fruit topped with sweet foam)</li><li>Berry Chocolatey Creme Freeze (white chocolate, mocha, strawberries, mini chocolate chips)</li></ul>Featured TWIX® beverages, inspired by Salted Caramel TWIX®,&nbsp; include:<ul><li>Salted Caramel Latte and the Salted Mocha Caramel Latte topped with TWIX® (hot, iced, frozen)</li><li>Sweet Foam Salted Mocha Caramel Cold Brew topped with TWIX®</li><li>The TWIX® Fix Creme Freeze</li><li>Hot Chocolate, Cocoa Carmella, Salted Cocoa Carmella with TWIX® topping, Mint Hot Chocolate, White Hot Chocolate</li></ul>Seasonal food items also return, including the fan-favorite Sausage Cheddar Biscuit with honey and Chocolate Cake Pops.&nbsp;Guests can also enjoy seasonal promotions:<ul><li>Twice As Nice Tuesday: Double loyalty points every Tuesday on specialty beverage purchases for registered members.</li><li>National Hot Chocolate Day (Saturday, Jan. 31):&nbsp;Free 16 oz. hot chocolate with any specialty beverage purchase.</li><li>Don’t Fumble Your Monday (Monday, Feb. 9): Power through the Monday after the Big Game with a $2.99 hot or iced 16oz specialty drink.</li><li>Valentine’s Day (Saturday, Feb. 14):&nbsp;Buy one, get one free on any drink, any size.</li></ul>From the TWIX®-inspired Salted Caramel beverages and rich hot chocolate options to Red Velvet, Sweetheart BIGGBY Blast® and other adorable Valentine’s Day-inspired treats, BIGGBY® COFFEE delivers a variety of offerings to help guests celebrate winter, indulge for Valentine’s and start a caffeinated 2026.To find a BIGGBY® COFFEE location near you, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.biggby.com">www.BIGGBY.com</a>.About the BIGGBY® COFFEE FranchiseBIGGBY® COFFEE, headquartered in East Lansing, Michigan, is a national coffee franchise with over 460 locations across 13 states. Since opening its first store in 1995, BIGGBY® has remained 100% franchise-owned and operates under a fully franchised business model designed to help local entrepreneurs grow successful, community-minded businesses.The company is guided by a people-first philosophy and a commitment to values-aligned growth — supporting franchise owners and baristas, creating positive experiences for guests, and partnering with coffee producers who treat people well, respect the environment, and invest in their communities.In 2024, BIGGBY® introduced a refined visual identity anchored by the tagline BIGGBY® Makes it Better, reinforcing the brand’s dedication to consistent quality, human connection and uplifting everyday interactions.For more information on BIGGBY® COFFEE or franchise opportunities, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.biggby.com">www.biggby.com</a>.To learn more about franchising with BIGGBY® COFFEE, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.biggbyfranchising.com/">https://www.biggbyfranchising.com/</a>.

Biggby Coffee franchise, Valentine's Day, Biggby Coffee Twix collab

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EAST LANSING, Mich. —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.biggbyfranchising.com/">BIGGBY® COFFEE</a>, the 460-plus-unit high-energy coffee franchise, is kicking off 2026 with a limited-time partnership bringing together two fan favorites. From Jan. 2 through Feb. 25,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/biggbycoffee/info">BIGGBY®</a> will feature a salted caramel beverage lineup inspired by TWIX®, with all salted caramel drinks topped with a TWIX® cookie &amp; candy crumble.The seasonal return of salted caramel gets a new twist this winter, blending the rich, sweet-and-salty flavor profile inspired by Salted Caramel TWIX® into a variety of hot, iced and frozen beverages, delivering a dessert-inspired experience in a perfectly sippable format.Featured salted caramel beverages available include:<ul><li>Salted Caramel Latte with TWIX® topping</li><li>Salted Mocha Caramel Latte with TWIX® topping</li><li>Sweet Foam Salted Caramel Cold Brew with TWIX® topping</li><li>Sweet Foam Salted Mocha Caramel Cold Brew with TWIX® topping</li><li>Salted Cocoa Carmella with TWIX® topping</li><li>TWIX® Fix Creme Freeze</li></ul>In addition to the TWIX® collaboration, BIGGBY® is placing a strong seasonal focus on its hot chocolate lineup throughout early 2026 and found a way for TWIX® to be included, too. A delicious warm-up option for kids, teens and non-coffee drinkers alike, BIGGBY® Hot Chocolate is a comforting winter choice.&nbsp;Featured hot chocolate beverages available include:<ul><li>Hot Chocolate</li><li>Cocoa Carmella Hot Chocolate</li><li>Salted Cocoa Carmella Hot Chocolate with TWIX® topping</li><li>Mint Hot Chocolate</li><li>White Hot Chocolate</li></ul>BIGGBY® will also celebrate National Hot Chocolate Day with a limited-time promotion that will unite coffee drinkers and their non-caffeinated companions. On Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, guests can enjoy a free 16 oz. Hot Chocolate with the purchase of any specialty beverage (offer valid on a 10 oz. as well).With the return of Salted Caramel flavors, a TWIX®-inspired topping and a renewed emphasis on Hot Chocolate, BIGGBY® COFFEE is offering guests more ways to sip a cold season staple and enjoy the winter season one cup at a time.To find a BIGGBY® COFFEE location near you, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.biggby.com">www.BIGGBY.com</a>.© 2026 Mars or AffiliatesAbout the BIGGBY® COFFEE FranchiseBIGGBY® COFFEE, headquartered in East Lansing, Michigan, is a national coffee franchise with over 460 locations across 13 states. Since opening its first store in 1995, BIGGBY® has remained 100% franchise-owned and operates under a fully franchised business model designed to help local entrepreneurs grow successful, community-minded businesses.The company is guided by a people-first philosophy and a commitment to values-aligned growth — supporting franchise owners and baristas, creating positive experiences for guests, and partnering with coffee producers who treat people well, respect the environment, and invest in their communities.In 2024, BIGGBY® introduced a refined visual identity anchored by the tagline BIGGBY® Makes it Better, reinforcing the brand’s dedication to consistent quality, human connection and uplifting everyday interactions.For more information on BIGGBY® COFFEE or franchise opportunities, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.biggby.com">www.biggby.com</a>.To learn more about franchising with BIGGBY® COFFEE, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.biggbyfranchising.com/">https://www.biggbyfranchising.com/</a>.

BIGGBY COFFEE Teams Up With TWIX for Limited-Time Salted Caramel Drinks

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BIGGBY® COFFEE Recognized on Forbes’ 2026 Best Customer Service List

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“It Shouldn’t Be This Hard” Podcast: BIGGBY Coffee’s Journey to 100% Regenerative Sourcing

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EAST LANSING, Mich. —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.biggbyfranchising.com/">BIGGBY® COFFEE</a>, the high-energy coffee franchise with over 460 locations nationwide, is proud to announce its inclusion in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500">Entrepreneur’s prestigious Franchise 500® list</a> for 2026.&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/biggbycoffee/info">BIGGBY® COFFEE</a> ranked at No. 201, up 11 spots from 2025. While the recognition highlights the continued growth of BIGGBY® COFFEE as a business, it also validates the strength of the brand’s people-first, values-aligned model.“The Franchise 500 is a recognition of the strength and innovation of the best franchises in the world,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikejmcfall/">Michael McFall</a>, CEO of BIGGBY® COFFEE. “We’re honored to be included, and this is a clear confirmation of our thesis: that love-driven, people-first practices serve to make businesses stronger and more successful.”Now in its 47th year, Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 is the world’s first and most comprehensive franchise ranking. Franchises are evaluated on key factors such as unit growth, financial strength and stability, brand power and operational support, with each franchise receiving a cumulative score based on analysis of more than 150 data points. Entrepreneur ranks the top 500 franchises in order of their overall score, providing prospective franchisees with a trusted resource for evaluating franchise opportunities.The brand’s rise in the rankings is supported by its continued growth and evolution throughout 2025. Much of this momentum reflects BIGGBY® COFFEE’s recent brand refresh, anchored by the tagline BIGGBY® Makes it Better, which reinforces the company’s focus on consistent quality, human connection and creating uplifting, everyday experiences for guests and franchise owners alike.In addition to its continued growth, BIGGBY® COFFEE remains focused on building a values-aligned franchise system that supports franchise owners, team members and the communities they serve, reinforcing a people-first approach to long-term success.To view BIGGBY® COFFEE’s full profile on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/directory/biggby-coffee/299698">https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/directory/biggby-coffee/299698</a>. Results are also featured in the January/February 2026 issue of Entrepreneur, available on newsstands.About The BIGGBY® COFFEE FranchiseBIGGBY® COFFEE, headquartered in East Lansing, Michigan, is a national coffee franchise with over 460 locations across 13 states. Since opening its first store in 1995, BIGGBY® has remained 100% franchise-owned and operates under a fully franchised business model designed to help local entrepreneurs grow successful, community-minded businesses.The company is guided by a people-first philosophy and a commitment to values-aligned growth — supporting franchise owners and baristas, creating positive experiences for guests and partnering with coffee producers who treat people well, respect the environment and invest in their communities.In 2024, BIGGBY® introduced a refined visual identity anchored by the tagline BIGGBY® Makes it Better, reinforcing the brand’s dedication to consistent quality, human connection and uplifting everyday interactions.For more information on BIGGBY® COFFEE or franchise opportunities, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.biggby.com">www.biggby.com</a>.&nbsp;

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BIGGBY® COFFEE Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2026

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Lifelong Nurse and Mother Opens First BIGGBY® COFFEE in Hometown of Marysville, Ohio with Husband and Son

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