Chris and Liza Salzarulo, a husband-and-wife entrepreneurial team, are bringing a BIGGBY® COFFEE franchise to Frankfort, Indiana, after being drawn to the brand’s welcoming atmosphere and community-focused mission. Before franchising, Chris spent two decades as an elementary school teacher, while Liza built a career in the vacation industry. When COVID-19 changed their career paths, they saw an opportunity to build something of their own. A trip to Traverse City, Michigan, introduced them to BIGGBY®, and after multiple visits, they knew they had found the right fit. 

"BIGGBY® promises to be a friendly coffee community and a positive light in the community,” Liza said. “That was important to us. We want people to feel comfortable, to be themselves, and to know that we care about them.” 

Their experience at BIGGBY® convinced them that they wanted to bring the same warmth and inclusivity to their own community. The brand’s emphasis on 100% farm-direct coffee and ethical sourcing also played a key role in their decision.

Chris and Liza are focused on providing an exceptional experience for customers at their newly-opened Frankfort location. They have hired 25 employees and are prioritizing an efficient drive-thru service to accommodate the high-traffic area near Walmart. 

"People always ask if we plan to open more locations, and while we wouldn’t rule it out, we’re focused on making this one successful first,” Chris said. “We want to build a business that people love and trust.”

Beyond serving great coffee, they see BIGGBY® COFFEE as a way to bring people together. Their personal story has evolved along the way, with their daughter Zoey now growing up alongside their new business. 

"Life can be unexpected, but sometimes those surprises turn out to be the best things," Liza said. With dedication and a strong commitment to their community, the couple is ready to make their mark in the world of franchising.

1851 Franchise recently sat down with the Salzarulos to discuss their franchising journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE and their goal of providing a warm and inclusive place for their community to gather. Here’s what they had to say:

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Chris: This is not our first career. I worked for 20 years as an elementary school teacher and ran before- and after-school programs in Bloomington, Indiana, overseeing 15 elementary schools. Later in life, I fell in love and moved away from Bloomington. My wife, Liza, worked in the vacation industry, managing a team at Bluegreen that helped people book vacations.

When COVID hit, we started discussing different opportunities. Liza was being encouraged to return to the office, and we decided to take the plunge into business ownership. We took a trip to Traverse City, Michigan, where we noticed BIGGBY® COFFEE locations everywhere. Liza was a big fan of another coffee franchise, but we couldn’t find any in the area. We finally stopped at a BIGGBY® and had an incredible experience. It felt like a welcoming, unpretentious place where everyone was friendly and helpful. That feeling stuck with us.

Liza: We had already been considering opening a food business, but we weren’t sure if starting an independent coffee shop made sense. After visiting multiple BIGGBY® locations during that trip, we realized how special it felt — not just drinking coffee but the entire experience of being in the store. When we returned home, we started asking friends and colleagues if they had ever heard of BIGGBY®, and most hadn’t. That got us thinking — maybe this was the right path for us. We began exploring the opportunity and, before we knew it, we were on our way to opening our own BIGGBY® COFFEE location.

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?

Liza: We had some knowledge of franchising but didn’t fully understand how it worked. We knew that some businesses were corporate-owned and others were franchised, but we didn’t realize the level of local ownership involved. With BIGGBY®, every store is independently owned and that was appealing to us. Being part of a franchise meant we could have the support and structure of a larger brand while still being deeply involved in our community.

Chris: When we first inquired about BIGGBY®, they connected us with an area representative who opened the first stores in central Indiana. He has been a great mentor, providing guidance and keeping us on track with things we didn’t even know to ask about. Franchising has been a crash course in business, from real estate to hiring to payroll. It’s a learning process, but the support system within BIGGBY® has been invaluable.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about BIGGBY® COFFEE?

Chris: BIGGBY® COFFEE’s philosophy resonated with us. One of their core principles is that coffee brings people together, and we believe that sharing food and beverages is a way of expressing love and hospitality. Even when I haven’t been able to help someone in other ways, offering them a drink or a meal has always felt meaningful.

Liza: BIGGBY® promises to be a friendly coffee community and a positive light in the community. That was important to us. We want people to feel comfortable, to be themselves, and to know that we care about them. We were also drawn to their commitment to 100% farm-direct coffee and their investment in the communities where they source their beans. The way they care about their farmers and employees showed us that this company aligned with our values.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?

Chris: Right now, our focus is on making this the best BIGGBY® location possible. We’ve hired 25 people and are making sure we have a well-trained staff ready to provide an exceptional customer experience. Our store has a small lobby, so we’re prioritizing an efficient and friendly drive-thru experience.

Our location is in front of a Walmart, which is a big deal in Frankfort. Walmart opens at 6:00 a.m., so we’re opening at 5:30 a.m. to serve customers heading in. People always ask if we plan to open more locations, and while we wouldn’t rule it out, we’re focused on making this one successful first. We want to build a business that people love and trust.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Liza: We started this journey in our 40s, and our lives have changed along the way. When we first considered opening a business, our daughter Zoey wasn’t in the picture. Now she’s 18 months old and growing up in this experience with us. Life can be unexpected, but sometimes those surprises turn out to be the best things.

Chris: One thing I keep reminding myself and Liza is that we just need to focus on our effort and let a higher power be in charge of how it turns out. We’re putting in the work, and we’re excited to see where this journey takes us.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

Chris: I don’t like to give advice, but I do share my experiences. Franchising is a huge learning opportunity. You’ll face challenges, but you’ll also have moments where you step back and realize how much you’ve built and learned. One thing I didn’t expect was how competitive real estate would be — not just for customers, but for locations. There’s so much to learn beyond the day-to-day operations.

Liza: When considering a business, you need to think about how much you want to be involved. Some people want to be absentee owners, but we knew we wanted to be hands-on. It’s important to align with a brand whose mission and values match your own. Also, life doesn’t stop when you start a business — it keeps evolving. Your vision might need to adjust along the way, and that’s okay. Be flexible and embrace the journey.

About The BIGGBY® COFFEE Franchise

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 400+ cafes across many states, including Virginia, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Idaho, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Kentucky and Florida.