Bitty and Beau’s Coffee is seeking new franchise owners for its mobile coffee program. 

Founded in Wilmington in 2016 by husband-and-wife Amy and Ben Wright, the company employs people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and, according to a company news release, now employs more than 500 people with disabilities. 

According to Amy Wright, Bitty and Beau’s currently has 13 brick-and-mortar locations across the country, from Texas to Massachusetts. It announced its first franchise location in Washington, D.C., in 2020. 

Bitty and Beau’s is now accelerating the expansion of its mobile coffee franchise network. Eight mobile coffee trailers, known as “Coffee Cruisers,” are currently operating, with eight more in production and additional opportunities in development, according to the release.

"Our goal with the mobile franchise network is to bring Bitty & Beau’s Coffee to more communities across the country and create meaningful employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities," said Amy Wright to the Business Journal in a text. 

The mobile model offers an alternative to operating a traditional coffee shop. According to the release, the mobile coffee trailers are a more flexible operating model and a lower-cost entry point for prospective owners.

According to the company’s franchise website, the estimated initial investment for a Mini Cruiser ranges from $68,250 to $83,450. The larger Coffee Cruiser model has an estimated initial investment of $167,700 to $187,200. The company also continues to offer brick-and-mortar franchises, with an estimated initial investment of $456,500 to $845,250.

Bitty and Beau’s also works with a third-party financing partner, according to its website, which may offer flexible funding options, including programs that can cover up to 100% of initial investment costs for qualified candidates. 

"The Mini Cruiser is a great model for expansion because it requires a significantly smaller investment than a traditional brick-and-mortar coffee shop, making franchise ownership more accessible," said Amy Wright. "It also gives franchise owners greater flexibility in how they operate their business, allowing them to set their own schedules, choose when and where to operate, and build a business that fits their lifestyle and community."

She added, "Most importantly, it allows us to create jobs and introduce our mission to communities that might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience Bitty & Beau’s Coffee. It’s a scalable way to grow our impact while staying focused on what matters most: changing the way people see people with disabilities."