Biggby Coffee could come to Cudahy this fall with over 400 coffee combinations

Is Cudahy a coffee desert?

The owners of Biggby Coffee in Franklin think so and are planning to open their second location in Cudahy.

Keith Washington and Curtis Grace both see Cudahy as going through a “rebirth” with many businesses coming in — and they want to be one of them.

Grace said they are still finalizing plans with architects and don’t have the permitting part completed just yet, but they hope to open in fall 2022.

Biggby Coffee could fill in the former Subway space at 5861 S. Packard Ave., which the business partners are leasing.

Washington said they’re doing a quick facelift and gutting 99% of the inside — and yes, the location will have a drive-thru for those running late to work but still needing their coffee fix.

Online ordering for quick pickups will also be available.

Connecting and creating coffee

The duo first crossed paths working together at an airport. They had similar mindsets and with Washington’s background in real estate and Grace’s background in financial services, they chose to go into business together.

“We knew we wanted to franchise but we wanted to find the right thing,” Grace said.

Both men grew up in Milwaukee and after encountering Biggby at an expo in Chicago in 2019, they wanted to bring it to the area.

Washington and Grace met with a franchisee who owns three stores in the Wausau area to learn more about the brand.

“He threw a couple drinks in our hand, and we were hooked,” Washington said. “It’s really good coffee, never bitter.”

The duo opened the Franklin location, Biggby’s fifth in Wisconsin but first in the Milwaukee area, in April 2021.

“The Franklin opportunity fell into our lap,” he said. “Everything happens for a reason.”

Grace said the Franklin location had “a really strong opening” and has been growing ever since.

“Every month has been building up and better than before,” he said. “The past month was one of our best months.”

Washington said he and Curtis call the regulars “Biggby fanatics.”

What sets Biggby apart from other coffee shops?

“It’s the people and the coffee,” Washington said. “We have almost 400 different drink combos.”

Biggby offers coffee, tea, lattes, smoothies and a proprietary energy drink. One of the main focuses of the brand is the customizability of the drinks.

“There’s a drink for everyone,” Washington said. “Come in as you are; there is no right or wrong way to be a customer at Biggby’s.”

What is their favorite drink?

Grace said it depends on the time of day, but he likes the tan line latte with sweet foam and a shot of zip — a natural and flavorless energy boost. He said if it’s a regular day or later he might skip the zip.

Washington said asking for a favorite is like asking a parent to choose a favorite child but, if he had to pick, he’s a fan of the wild zebra latte iced. Any drink can be made hot, iced or even frozen. The wild zebra includes white and milk chocolate with sweet foam.

While baristas will certainly get to know the drinks of the regulars, getting something added to the menu can be tricky, as it must go through corporate. However, Wisconsin was the birthplace of the Shark Bite, a drink made in honor of Discovery’s Shark Week and created through trial and error at the Wausau store.

“Home office is constantly leaning on franchisees for ideas,” Washington said. “They are also trying to improve drinks all the time too.”

Some food is also on the menu, including the “bragel,” a breakfast bagel sandwich made and toasted in-store with various meats – including vegan sausage. Cookies, doughnut holes and muffins are also offered.

The future is caffeinated

The business partners will need to drink plenty of their own product if they want to keep up with their plans to open a minimum of one new location every year.

Washington said Biggby wants to open 100 stores in Wisconsin in the next 10 years with each location locally owned and operated.

Both said if anyone is interested in franchising they should reach out. In general, franchisees need about $20,000 for a franchise fee and about 20% of the overall startup cost available.

“Biggby stood out,for cost of entry is reasonable compared to others,” Washington said. “Requirements are better, and support from corporate is above and beyond. That was what really connected us with Biggby, the support and the love.”

Interested parties can reach out to kwashington@biggby.com and cgrace@biggby.com for more information.

Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page and follow him on Twitter at @ES_Hanley.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Biggby Coffee could come to Cudahy this fall