Doing the Right Thing!

Kari, from the Waterford store (coming soon) sent me a link to a newsletter from the organization she worked at....just before she left to become a BIGGBY franchisee.

A lot a people want to know how we ultimately approve our operators...the answer to some of that lie inside this newsletter...

It was sort of amazing to me, as I read this newsletter, how many key words lined up with the 'core values' of the Franchise Organization....no wonder Kari became a franchisee!

Read on!

Executive Director Of LAS Finds New Place To Call “Home”
click here for original article
What once was a vision for Kari Mascar,
is now a reality. Kari, the Director
of Lutheran Adoption Service (LAS),
will soon be leaving LCFS to pursue her
dream as a coffee shop owner. Biggby
Coffee is a franchise based on the idea
that you can ‘B’ what you want to ‘B’-
something that Kari believes in with all
of her heart.
Since becoming Director of LAS in
2002, Kari has been a part of more than
1300 adoptions. As if that isn’t impressive
enough, in 2004 Kari was instrumental
in getting new adoption legislation
passed, which made it mandatory for
all adoption petitions to be filed within
the same county.
If there is one thing that Kari learned
while at LCFS, it was the importance of
integrity and always doing the right
thing.
Although Kari is excited about her
Grand Opening on October 14th, she
will miss the staff at LAS and LCFS.
“I am going to miss the people I work
with the most. They are very dedicated,
capable and knowledgeable. I
have made a lot of friends here.”
Kari is looking forward to the atmosphere
and friends she will make at the
coffee shop. The first time she set foot
in a Biggby, she remembered feeling
very impressed with both the atmosphere
and the philosophy of the company.
She looks forward to creating an
“experience” for everyone who visits
her store. “If I can brighten someone’s
day by providing them a comfortable
and exciting experience, then I have
done my job,” said Kari.
Thank you for your hard work and
dedication Kari; you will be missed!
Kari’s Biggby is located on
Dixie Highway in Waterford
Click here and then click on store 260
GOOD LUCK KARI!

“You can never make
everyone happy, you just
always have to do the
right thing.
-Kari Mascar

Take the Subway to Muskegon...and find a BIGGBY COFFEE

BIGGBY COFFEE is opening it's newest location in Muskegon on Tuesday, here is an article talking about that store...Full Article

Local Subway king adding Biggby Coffee outlet
Posted by Dave Alexander | The Muskegon Chronicle September 20, 2008 23:11PM
Categories: Business
Muskegon's sandwich king is adding coffee to his franchise network.

Local Subway Sandwich shop king Pete Gawkowski is opening Muskegon's first Biggby Coffee, the fast-growing East Lansing-based regional coffee shop chain. He is partnering with family friend Deb Smith, who will manage the shop at 3295 Henry in Roosevelt Park.

The coffee shop, with drive-thru service and Wi-Fi access for wireless Internet users inside, is located in front of the Wal-Mart and directly across the street from the newly created entrance to the Meijer Inc. Gawkowski -- who owns 16 Subways from Muskegon to Grand Haven and Newaygo County -- and Smith are not just opening a single outlet, but expecting to develop the Biggby brand in the Muskegon area.

"I started as a loyal Biggby customer years ago, so I know what makes the whole experience unique from the other side of the counter," said Gawkowski, who also is developing an indoor baseball/softball training facility in southern Norton Shores. "When I was looking for my next franchise opportunity, I knew Biggby Coffee was it and I'm proud to bring that experience to Muskegon."

Smith, of Norton Shores, comes to the coffee business from 11 years as a paraprofessional working in the Muskegon Public Schools' reading programs. During the past year, she has worked in the food service industry and has been working on the Biggby development since June.

The coffee shop opens Tuesday. It will offer coffee, various espresso-based specialty drinks, smoothies, teas and light food from bagels and bake goods to sandwiches.

"Biggby is more than just coffee," Smith said. "It's the experience. It's where everyone knows your name."

Smith said that she and Gawkowski have sought a coffee shop opportunity for some time. The coffee business is the fastest growing segment in the food service industry and Muskegon still offers opportunities, she said.

The partners, who operate as GNS Java, had thought about an independent shop but found the Biggby franchise the best path into the business. Biggby, founded in an old Arby's outlet near Michigan State University's campus in 1995, provides its franchise owners with a successful business plan and plenty of backup training, Smith said. The shop will bring 20 full- and part-time jobs.

In selecting the Henry Street location, GNS Java looked at traffic counts and found the morning numbers favorable for a coffee shop, Smith said. Gawkowski just opened a rebuilt Subway at Henry and Summit avenues and knows the area well.

"You can't discount a man who has succeeded with 16 Subways," Smith said of Gawkowski's experience. "Pete has a proven track record."

There is no doubt that GNS Java will move forward on additional Muskegon-area locations, Smith said, adding that initial customer response to the Henry Street outlet will determine the pace of expansion.

"We are absolutely looking to expand," Smith said.

First Gentleman visits DeWitt BIGGBY!

Everyday Leadership with Dan Mulhern
Dan Mulhern, the First Gentleman of Michigan, hosts Everyday Leadership: Making Work Work, a weekly look at leadership in business and the issues that impact the workplace.

“30 Year Jobs” (9.20.08) - Hour 1
Sep 20th, 2008 by michigantalknetwork

In the second hour of today’s live show from Biggby’s Coffee, Dan finds out whether the concept of a “30 Year Job” is outdated in today’s fast-moving work climate.
Dan conducts a 'Man on the Street' style interview at the BIGGBY COFFEE in DeWitt

You Can't Touch This!

That's right it's 'Hammer Time' in Muskegon...and this BIGGBY crew has got it all! They got 'the ying', they got 'the yang', they got the 'mo', and they got the enthusiasm and energy to do whatever they want! Ya' gotta love it!

Where do ya' find people like this? Well here it is....they are not grown on some happy farm, they aren't molded by some super-philosophy, and they are not pre-selected using some Psycho-Graphic tests (whatever that means):)

It's already in all of us...that's right, you got it, I got it, they got it....we all got it....but usually it's pounded right of us, we grow up, we gotta get serious, and we can't have fun anymore.

Well at BIGGBY it's different...Friends, Fun, Happy, Freedom to be who you are...when it's released, it's powerful, uncontainable, it bubbles up from everywhere...it's contagious and all you want is more.

Muskegan (store 266)...you've got it and I love you for this!

No purpose what-so-ever....:)

Two (non BIGGBY BOB) videos....and their only pupose is...huh, well there is no purpose :) But they do both mention BIGGBY COFFEE, sorta, kinda, maybe. Well it's been a long day, with no purpose at all anyway, so why not? Ya'know? Check 'em out, and keep in mind I do scrounge for this kinda thing once in a while...ya' never know...

BIGGBY = Paradise

Russ miller
Originally uploaded by B-Happy Lounge

I like to troll the B-Happy Lounge (www.bhappylounge.com) every once in a while lookin' for pictures that tickle my fancy. This one by Russ made me laugh! There are so many fun photos though...it's hard to say one is better than another. I mean there is cute, funny, friends, beautiful...they are all great! I love BIGGBY, you love BIGGBY, we all love BIGGBY....thank you!

Another victory inside 8 mile -- from the FREEP

We love the progress being made...DMC and now WSU! original FREEP article

Merchants move into building near WSU
BY GRETA GUEST • FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER • September 14, 2008

National and local retailers are moving into a new apartment building on Woodward near Wayne State University in Midtown, a big plus for the area that serves students and professionals.


So far, Utrecht Art Supplies and Radio Shack have opened in the 30,000 square feet set aside for retail on the first floor. Coming this fall are Fifth Third Bank, Biggby Coffee and Starter's Bar and Grill.

"This is the first new apartment building in the city for many years," said Marcel Burgler, developer of the 124-unit Studio One Apartments. "It's got a lot of light and space, it's secure and has covered parking. I think we'll do well."

Burgler said the building is about 40% leased. The one- and two-bedroom apartments range from 650 square feet to 1,008 square feet and rent for $870 to $1,395. Each unit has a balcony, hardwood floors, walk-in closets, a washer/dryer combination, granite countertops, floor-to-ceiling windows, appliances and exposed concrete ceilings and duct work.

Burgler, with Grand Rapids-based Prime Development, developed the building in a joint venture with Wayne State University. The university contributed $14 million, including the 950-space parking deck that is linked by a walkway to the apartment building.

Prime Development invested $22 million to build the project on two acres on Woodward near Warren. It has an option to develop another campus housing project on a nearby 2-acre plot, Burgler said.

The building is attracting more faculty and professionals than undergrads, he said. It is particularly attractive for people who don't want to buy property they may not be able to sell quickly with the real estate market slump.

The Wayne State market is attractive to Fifth Third Bank, which is to open Sept. 29 in the first-floor retail space.

Jeff Wagner, vice president for corporate real estate for Fifth Third Bank, said the branch would be the Cincinnati-based bank's fifth in the city.

"This location we are excited about because of the redevelopment happening adjacent to it and on the Wayne State campus," Wagner said. "We are looking forward to a positive experience there. Wayne State continues to have a lot of energy."

Jon Parlangeli, store manager for Utrecht Art Supplies, said the new location is cleaner and safer than the old one on Woodward where the retailer had been for 70 years.

"If you get this much retail in one spot, it will draw people," he said. "We can all kind of cross-pollinate each other."

Contact GRETA GUEST at 313-223-4192 or gguest@freepress.com.

Every bit helps!

a post by ABC 53 >Original article

Biggby and CATA
September 16, 2008 - 5:29PM
With gas prices soaring, it's time to "jump in the pool".

Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) and some Biggby Coffee locations have teamed up to encourage car pooling.

Select Biggby locations are holding events for people trying to find a car pool group.

Cathleen Edgerly said, "To try to help people meet up with others who are interested in finding carpool or vanpool partners from a similar area, they can meet face-to-face and work out the details with that."

Three more events will be held this week.

Wedenesday, Sept. 17: Biggby Coffee at 3520 Okemos Rd. in Okemos (5-7 p.m.)

Thursday, Sept. 18: Biggby Coffee at 120 W. Ottawa in downtown Lansing (5-6 p.m.)

Friday, Sept. 19: Biggby Coffee at 13181 Schavey Rd. in DeWitt (5-7 p.m.)

Owosso Opening....Just amazing!

I almost got my socks blown off when I walked in the new BIGGBY COFFEE in Owosso....it was opening day and Tori was up front workin' with the cashier....and they shouted out a BIG HELLO....it's the way it's gotta be, Ya'know?

Their staff was full of smiles and enthusiasm...and one of the best I've ever seen! The store was beautiful and the music was loud, just the way it should be.....energy was poppin' everywhere!

I watched people comin' and goin', through the door, and the drive thru....everybody with a smile, 'course they were gettin' the stuff with whip cream (how can you go wrong?) They had a lot goin' on and I barely squeezed the interview in...before there was a line again! I left them 10 deep...Owosso is a location long overdue. we been want'n one there for a long time, and it looks like Owosso has been waiting too...

I interviewed Tori from behind the line, but eventually Jim wiggled his way in too...these guys are awesome...so if you get a chance give them a visit!!!!


PS they rounded the day out at 750 cups...Yahoo!

Mine is Leonardo

Mine is Leonardo
Originally uploaded by niccimae

What is the 'BIGGBY WAY' ....well it's whatever you want it to be....it's kinda like good art....ya' might not be able to explain it before you see it.....but WHEN you see it, ya' know it!

I know the BIGGBY WAY when I see it...and this tag....'We like silly at Biggby' is spot on!