Since it began franchising in 2017, Ziggi’s Coffee has been expanding across the country, and recently, it’s been especially concentrated in the Midwest and Great Plains.
Last month, Michael Harris and his wife, Tammy, opened their first location in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was one of several opening across the region in the past several weeks for the Colorado-based brand, with two new units in Indiana and another in Oklahoma.
“While we don’t geo-focus, the Midwest is really going to continue to be great because we have some really great franchise operators coming on board,” said Justin Livingston, vice president of franchise development for Ziggi’s. “I’m from Michigan originally, and I know that from Denver to Michigan there are really good opportunities in there and a real need for something that has this family focus with a kids’ menu.”
Ziggi’s Coffee Vice President of Franchise Development Justin Livingston
In the case of the Harris family, the decision to franchise with Ziggi’s came after they finished careers in the military. Both served in the U.S. Army, with Michael Harris ending a 23-year career in November.
“There was actually another franchise close to where we were living at the time and it got us thinking about doing something where we’d work for ourselves,” Michael Harris said. “It didn’t work out with that one, so we started looking at other franchises whittled down the list to about three and started interviewing franchisors.
Harris said in doing their research, Ziggi’s appeared as the best fit for the married couple, as it offered the right amount of support.
“They come in to help from the very beginning to where you’re operational,” Harris said. “It’s not a situation where they’re telling you what to do, but they do guide you along the way.”
The work the brand does to give back was another appealing element, Harris said.
“My wife and I liked them because they care about the community,” Harris said. “The coffee they serve is sourced very environmentally and they do a lot of charity work. They’re much more involved than just selling a cup of coffee. In the military, you learn something called ‘selfless service,’ and I liked that Ziggi’s has that.”
The Harris family in front of the Ziggi’s Coffee they own in Lincoln, Nebraska
According to Livingston, the same is true on the franchisor side, as Ziggi’s is looking to recruit quality owners.
“It’s about ‘people, not places,’” Livingston said. “We aren’t trying to do 50 deals or 100 deals. Instead, we’re going to build this franchise family with intention, and be very cautious and careful who we let into that system.”
There are 68 locations open now and Livingston said 30 to 35 more are on track to open this year. So far, the most recent openings have been doing well, according to Harris.
“The community response has been overwhelmingly positive,” Harris said. “We’ve actually been selling faster than the supply chain can keep up with, so I’ve had to drive our truck to Colorado to pick things up because we’re getting so many customers. It’s a good problem to have.”
Ziggi’s has been so impressive to Livingston that he decided to become a franchisee with the brand as well.
“There was an opportunity to jump in and for us, it’s really a legacy play,” Livingston said. “We broke ground in January on the first drive-thru location and its name is ‘Legacy One,’ and we have a ‘Legacy Two’ and a ‘Legacy Three’ coming in the future because we have three kids. This is something we believe in with all our hearts.”