Franchise Deep Dive: BIGGBY® COFFEE's Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

The coffee giant has quickly expanded after nearly 30 years in business.

By Savannah BilboStaff Writer

7:07AM • 04/05/23

LAST UPDATED: 3/2023

FRANCHISE WEBSITE: biggbyfranchising.com/

NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 300+

REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $276,000–$439,000

REPORTED ROI (Item 19): $327,562–$1,381,549

BIGGBY® COFFEE the 300-plus location coffee brand was founded in 1995 in East Lansing, Michigan. Just one year after opening and on the brink of opening a second location, founders Bob Fish and Michael McFall shook hands and agreed to start franchising. McFall was originally hired as a barista and another co-founder Mary Roszel, now retired, suggested that Fish talk to McFall about a management position.

The decision to start franchising was based purely on demand.

“We ended up in franchising because a whole bunch of people kept calling us asking to franchise!” said McFall. “It was really a demand-led decision, and it wasn’t rocket science to figure out that franchising could be a strong path.”

How Many Locations Are There?

BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 300 locations in 13 states. Many of the locations are in Michigan and Ohio.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a BIGGBY® COFFEE?

The estimated initial investment for BIGGBY® COFFEE is $276,000–$439,000. A breakdown of the costs is located below and is also listed as item seven on the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).

Initial Franchise Fee: $20,000
Real Property Rental: $1,000–$21,000
Leasehold Improvements: $140,000–$205,000
Furniture, Equipment and Decor: $61,500–$71,000
Drive-Through Equipment: $13,500–$14,500
Blueprints, Plans and Permits: $5,500–$11,000
Interior and Exterior Signage: $4,000–$15,000
Initial Inventory: $9,000–$14,000
Insurance: $3,500–$4,500
Utility Expense: $500–$4,000
License Permits and Other: $1,000–$2,500
Initial Advertising and Grand Opening Promotions: $9,000
Misc. Travel and Living Expenses for Training: $500–$5,000
Organizational Expenses: $2,000–$2,500
Additional Funds—Three Months: $5,000–$40,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment: $276,000–$439,000

If you have more questions about franchising a BIGGBY® COFFEE, you can view FAQs here.

What Is The BIGGBY® COFFEE Business Model?

There are four different options when franchising a BIGGBY® COFFEE. Your potential choices are listed below.

Lobby and Drive-Thru
Lobby Model
Drive-Thru Only Model
Kiosk Model

The lobby and drive-thru model offers two points of sale for fast service. The lobby-model works well for strip centers. The drive-thru-only model provides real-estate flexibility and fast service for customers. The kiosk model is perfect for college campuses, hospitals, airports and more. You can learn more about BIGGBY® COFFEE’s business models here.

How Much Can BIGGBY® COFFEE Franchise Owners Make?

There is a breakdown of potential earnings for BIGGBY® COFFEE franchisees listed on Item 19 of the FDD. The numbers listed below are based on drive-thru sales made in 2021.

Systemwide, the average gross sales were $722,745. On the high-end, franchisees can earn $1,381,549. On the low end, they can earn $327,562. To see a further breakdown of 2021 drive-thru sales, you can view the chart here.

What Is the Franchise Fee for BIGGBY® COFFEE?

The franchise fee for BIGGBY® COFFEE is $20,000. The coffee brand does offer a half-off discount for veterans looking to open a BIGGBY® COFFEE. BIGGBY® COFFEE does not directly offer financing but does have relationships with third-party lenders to assist those in need of financing.

Who Are the Leaders of BIGGBY® COFFEE?

What Helpful Articles Can I Read to Learn More About BIGGBY® COFFEE?

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