Biggby Coffee

You’ll find them everywhere now—on corners, in strip malls, inside old bank buildings and new suburban plazas. The bright orange and black signs, a cartoonish “B” tilted like it’s been jolted awake, mark the familiar entrance to Biggby Coffee—a Michigan-grown coffee chain with a fiercely local following and a flair for the enthusiastic.

It all began in East Lansing, just a stone’s throw from Michigan State University. In 1995, Bob Fish and Mary Roszel opened a single café called Beaner’s Coffee (a name they wisely retired in 2007 for obvious reasons). They wanted something a little different from the brooding ambiance of other chains—something friendlier, more energetic. They called their approach “unintimidating” coffee.

And somehow, it worked. Biggby (a play on the letter “B”) grew quickly throughout Michigan and into neighboring states. As of now, there are over 300 locations across the Midwest and Southeast, each one flying the same flag of caffeinated optimism. Their slogans are relentlessly positive: “Be happy. Have fun. Make friends. Love people.” And while it may sound a bit saccharine, the tone fits. Biggby isn’t trying to be European or sophisticated. It’s trying to be yours.

The drinks are sweet, loud, and usually topped with whipped cream. Think caramel marvels, teddy bear lattes, mocha mochas, and frozen coffee drinks with names like “Butter Bear.” This is the Midwestern milkshake version of coffee, unapologetically indulgent. And while you can get a simple black coffee, most folks come here for a treat—not a lesson in single-origin bean profiles.

What sets Biggby apart isn’t just the coffee—it’s the culture. Local ownership is part of the model, and many shops reflect the people who run them. You’ll find community boards, donation jars, seasonal décor that feels like it was arranged by someone’s enthusiastic aunt, and staff who genuinely seem glad to see you.

In a world of sleek minimalism and coffee-as-performance-art, Biggby remains delightfully earnest. It’s not hip. It’s hospitable. It doesn’t want to elevate your palate—it wants to make your Tuesday a little better.

And on a road trip, when you’re skipping gas station coffee but don’t want the corporate chill of a Starbucks, a Biggby stop feels just right. You walk in, order something with too much sugar, and for a brief moment, it’s not about productivity or pretension. It’s just coffee and kindness.