Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Friday, August 31, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Friday, August 3, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
Recipe for Dynamic Growth
Now, more than ever, I am looking forward to our Annual Franchise Meeting coming up in late August. As with everything else at BIGGBY, this meeting just keeps on growing! I can still remember our first meeting back in 1999; we all literally were able to fit around a conference table. This year, the group is so large —more than 250 attendees — that we have to move the venue to the Convention Center in downtown Lansing, MI. The three-day meeting will encompass numerous presentations in multiple classrooms, and an elegant dinner and awards ceremony. In our 13 years of franchising, a lot has changed! That being said, there is one thing that has not changed at BIGGBY — our unassailable desire to grow. We have always been a top-line driven company; that is, we would like to earn at least one more dollar tomorrow than we did yesterday. We understand that the best way to do this is to continue to provide an experience to BIGGBY fanatics (aka our customers) that is dynamic, memorable and strengthens their desire to return more often, tell a friend, bring a friend, or better yet, all of the above. We also understand that as the specialty coffee industry continues to evolve, we need to be stewards of that change. We are leading the way in listening to what our fanatics want and need. Occasionally, we leap ahead to discover the wants and needs they did not even know they had yet. BIGGBY has been a leader in product developments, such as “Reduced Calorie” beverages, smoothies, energy boost, tea lattes, and the operational execution of “Hot, Iced or Frozen.” Blending product development with a positive customer experience has been a great recipe for dynamic growth. Our ability to continue to grow has outpaced so many other concepts in these last few years. We are currently experiencing 32 consecutive months of same-store-sales growth, averaging 9.28%. When combined with new-store-sales, this rate looks even better. In 2010, our overall store-sales averaged 18.15%; in 2011 it was 18.00%; and currently in 2012, it is 17.40%. When you compare our numbers to data taken from the June 25, 2012 issue of Nation’s Restaurant News, here is how a few other concepts faired last year: Panera Bread 12.21%, Dunkin’ Donuts 4.71%, Starbucks 7.28%, Tim Horton’s 5.48% and McDonald’s 4.39%. BIGGBY outpaced the growth rate of these companies by 6 to 13%. Our continued aggressive growth has been a great measuring stick of our success, with change being a significant agent of that growth. I invite you to become a part of our growth, a member of our franchise family, and claim your seat at our 2013 Annual Franchise Meeting. B happy. Have fun. Make friends. Love people. Drink great coffee. All my best,
Friday, May 4, 2012
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Pedal to the Metal
Hi friends, franchisees and coffee lovers,
As CEO of BIGGBY COFFEE, I have the responsibility of looking forward and visualizing exactly where BIGGBY COFFEE will be in the next 12 months, the next five years and the next decade. Of course, it is important to look back every once in a while too. It's like driving a car, you spend most of the time looking through the windshield, anticipating the road in front of you, but you still need to check your rear-view mirrors every once in a while too.
When I look in BIGGBY COFFEE’s 2011 rear-view mirror, I see a couple of accomplishments that are worth noting. First, we are the only regional coffee shop franchise system that has had substantial growth. We completed 2011 with 9.5 percent same-store sales growth, which was preceded by a year of 10 percent same-store sales growth in 2010. Both of these accomplishments far exceeded the industry standard. Currently, we are experiencing our twenty-fifth consecutive month of aggressive same-store sales growth, and there is little reason to think that it will change.
It’s not only me that has taken notice, outside organizations have recognized this fact as well. CNBC named us the fastest growing retail coffee concept in the U.S., Franchise Business Review honored us as a Top 30 Franchise, and Entrepreneur Magazine ranked us at 268 in their 2012 Top 500 Franchise Opportunities listing (improved from our 387 ranking in 2011).
The BIGGBY COFFEE system has continued to grow and be recognized like no others in the specialty coffee industry. But like any good driver, I don’t spend too much time focusing on the rear-view mirror.
Using the same great product, customer service and company culture which has propelled us forward since 1995, we have no plans of slowing down. For 2012 and beyond, we are keeping the pedal to the metal.
We hope you’ll join us for the ride!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Gourmanding: Best Decaf Coffee: Biggby
Gourmanding: Best Decaf Coffee: Biggby: There are few harmless adult pleasures as enjoyable as a good cup of coffee. This month in my home coffee maker (the unbeatable Cuisinart ...
