The founders of Bitty & Beau’s Coffee announced via Facebook video Monday that they will soon begin franchising.

The company began receiving inquiries about franchise opportunities shortly after its flagship Wilmington location opened in 2016.

While founders Amy and Ben Wright did explore the idea, the Wrights determined at the time that this wasn't best option for the company, stating that they feared franchising would make it difficult for them to trust that each new location would be replicated exactly as they would want it to be. 

A call to Amy Wright was not immediately returned Monday.

The Wrights announced in early 2017 that the Bitty & Beau's expansion into new markets would be selected by their fans. The company asked their Facebook followers to help them select a second location by posting a video or photo expressing why they would like to see a Bitty & Beau’s in their city.

Charleston, South Carolina, was selected as the site of their second location, followed by locations in Savannah, Georgia, and Annapolis, Maryland.

In January this year, Bitty & Beau’s celebrated the opening of a second Port City location at the PPD worldwide headquarters, and in February announced plans for another location at nCino Inc.'s global headquarters at Mayfaire.

In Monday’s video message featuring founders Amy and Ben Wright, along with their children Bitty and Beau, Ben Wright said that they have been receiving requests from people around the world asking for a Bitty & Beau’s location in their town.

“And we just can’t get them open fast enough,” Ben Wright said, with Amy Wright adding, "Which is why we’re really excited to announce today that very soon Bitty & Beau’s Coffee franchises will be available. Pretty soon there will be a Bitty & Beau’s Coffee in every city from coast to coast.”

Founded with the intention of providing job opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Bitty & Beau’s currently employs about 20 individuals with IDD at each of its locations.