1851

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleduncanwilson/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-great-franchisee-michelle-duncan-wilson-biggby-coffee-ohio-2718110" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Michelle Duncan-Wilson</a>, one of the newest owners with fast-growing coffee shop franchise <a href="https://www.biggbyfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-great-franchisee-michelle-duncan-wilson-biggby-coffee-ohio-2718110" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">BIGGBY® COFFEE</a>, was no stranger to the business before she signed on as a franchisee. Duncan-Wilson got her first job as a barista at the age of 16 and went on to manage several coffee shops over the next decade before taking some time off to raise her children.When Duncan-Wilson decided to get back to work, she wanted to take her career to the next level. With BIGGBY® COFFEE, she says she found an opportunity for ownership with a brand that supports its franchisees and cares about its people.&nbsp;We spoke to Duncan-Wilson to learn more about her journey to franchising and her experience with <a href="https://1851franchise.com/biggbycoffee">BIGGBY® COFFEE</a>.<h4>1851 Franchise: Tell us your story – what did you do before franchising?</h4>Michelle Duncan-Wilson: I was in the coffee industry for 10 years. I started as a barista at 16; it was one of my first jobs. I eventually managed several different coffee shops in the area before BIGGBY® COFFEE came to town. I stopped working 12 years ago when I started growing my family. Now that my kids are a bit older, I decided to start looking at different careers and investment opportunities. I was familiar with BIGGBY® COFFEE and decided to meet up with the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area representative, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanna-novosel-8279216a/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-great-franchisee-michelle-duncan-wilson-biggby-coffee-ohio-2718110" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Shanna Novosel</a>. She had a great experience with the brand, and it further solidified my decision.<h4>1851: How did you initially find out about franchising and what was your perception of franchising before becoming a franchise owner?</h4>Duncan-Wilson: The coffee company I worked with before did not follow a franchise model. I was very comfortable with the corporate model and skeptical about the franchise model. I had my own preconceived notions of what a franchise would be like for customers and owners, but I didn’t know much about it. I think so many different franchisors run their companies in different ways. I’ve been very impressed with BIGGBY® COFFEE and how they support their franchisees.<h4>1851: How did you decide you wanted to be a franchisee?</h4>Duncan-Wilson: A friend of mine opened a BIGGBY® COFFEE in the area eight years ago, and she told me about her experience. I knew how much work it takes to open a coffee shop and that it is a big investment. That same friend opened her second location, and I just watched as her stores grew. I was impressed by the positive experience she had. After watching how her businesses did through lockdown while many businesses were suffering, I realized that this could be a viable option for me, too.<h4>1851: How did you perform your research?</h4>Duncan-Wilson: I didn’t look into any other franchise brands. I wasn’t ever before interested in opening a franchise. It was only after seeing my friend’s positive experience that made me want to do it. As for researching BIGGBY® COFFEE, I did a lot of online research to get a sense of the brand’s history. Throughout my research, I was impressed with the company’s values and principles. I spoke with a few other franchise owners briefly, and I could tell that BIGGBY® COFFEE really supports its franchisees and cares about its people.&nbsp;<h4>1851: Why did you pick BIGGBY® COFFEE? What excited you most about the potential?</h4>Duncan-Wilson: I felt confident in choosing BIGGBY® COFFEE after watching my friend’s success and doing my own research to get a sense of the brand. Everything about BIGGBY® COFFEE resonated with me. I’m most excited to start working with people again and start building relationships with customers, baristas and employees. I truly love connecting with people over coffee, and I’m thrilled that I get to provide that service.<h4>1851: What advice would you have for others looking at buying a franchise?</h4>Duncan-Wilson: Be sure that you are both mentally and financially prepared. There will be surprises along the way, but if you expect them, they won’t be so intimidating.&nbsp;<h4>1851: What do you do in your personal time?</h4>Duncan-Wilson: I love playing classical guitar, and I’m an avid Spanish learner.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h4>About BIGGBY® COFFEE</h4>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. BIGGBY® COFFEE’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® 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 more than 240 cafes across many states including Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Florida. In 2018, BIGGBY® launched an Area Representative Program and currently has 8 Area Representatives in 6 states.

The Great Franchisee: Michelle Duncan-Wilson, BIGGBY® COFFEE, Ohio

1851 Franchise

The former coffee shop manager made the leap to coffee shop owner with the fast-growing franchise last year.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. 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

the-great-franchisee-michelle-duncan-wilson-biggby-coffee-ohio

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

Inside Keke’s Breakfast Cafe’s Hands-On Training System: How the Brand Sets Franchisees Up for Success from Day One

inside-kekes-breakfast-cafes-hands-on-training-system-how-the-brand-sets-franchisees-up-for-success-from-day-one

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions Ranks No. 358 on the Franchise Times Top 400 List for 2025

caring-transitions-ranks-no-358-on-the-franchise-times-top-400-list-for-2025

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Proudly Serves Those Who Serve: Supporting Veterans on the Move and in Business

two-men-and-a-truck-proudly-serves-those-who-serve-supporting-veterans-on-the-move-and-in-business

Building a Caring Transitions Business as a First-Time Entrepreneur

building-a-caring-transitions-business-as-a-first-time-entrepreneur

Local Siblings Launch Caring Transitions of Somerset County to Build Legacy and Serve Seniors with Compassion

local-siblings-launch-caring-transitions-of-somerset-county-to-build-legacy-and-serve-seniors-with-compassion

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Amazon outage, AWS outage, Amazon AWS logo

The Day the Cloud Stalled: How Amazon's Outage Impacted Franchise Economy

amazon-aws-outage-franchise-impact-travel-dining-failure

Thursday 1851 Franchise Agg - NASAA’s Noncompete Push

NASAA’s Noncompete Push Puts Franchise Growth on Uncertain Ground

franchise-noncompete-nasaa-advisory-reasonableness-standard

How a Steady Economy Could Help Franchisors Plan Their Next Move

how-a-steady-economy-could-help-franchisors-plan-their-next-move

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

graphic image of an 1851 franchisee spotlight brayden and johnny steven of teriyaki madness

Father-and-Daughter Team Bring Teriyaki Madness to Wichita, Kansas, With Big Expansion Plans

johnny-brayden-steven-teriyaki-madness-wichita

photo-of-laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

23-Year-Old Entrepreneur Brings Soon to Be Famous Chicken™ to Southern Oregon With 3-Unit Layne’s Chicken Fingers Franchise Signing

laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

image of bryan horton from laynes West Texas - Abilene, Wichita Falls, Stephenville 

Former Real Estate and Beverage Entrepreneur Signs to Develop 8 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Locations in West Texas, Securing One of the Final Major Markets Available in the State

laynes-chicken-west-texas-expansion

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

The Great Franchisee: Michelle Duncan-Wilson, BIGGBY® COFFEE, Ohio

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS