franx what it means to win

With nearly 25 years of experience in franchising, McFall reflects on what it takes to thrive – and how to define success on your own terms.

As someone that has worked in nearly every position at Biggby Coffee, including as a barista at the original cafe, Michael J. McFall knows a thing or two about building a successful franchise from the ground up.

After partnering with the company’s co-founder, Bob Fish, in 1997, McFall helped grow Biggby Coffee from a humble coffeehouse in East Lansing, Michigan to a franchise empire with over 300 stores across the U.S. and revenue topping $140 million in 2019 – an admirable feat based largely on smart business practices and a model focused on sustainable success.

“I think most startup franchisors are like, ‘Oh, I got a check for $30,000 – I’m gonna buy a boat.’ It’s an early mindset versus how we play for the long-term,” says McFall, now the company’s co-CEO, explaining that the brand’s emphasis on sustainability over immediate rewards contributed to the franchise’s 25-year success.

Today, with 160 contracted locations expected to open within the next two years, the team at Biggby Coffee still has their eyes on sustainability as the brand continues to scale. With a reinvigorated goal of elevating the workplace, McFall is also on a mission – this time, to create a better business with a heightened sense of purpose.