Bad Ass Coffee to enter a new state
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii is expanding its footprint by entering a new Midwestern state.
The coffee chain, known for its premium Hawaiian coffees and themed cafés, will open its first store in Wisconsin as part of a multi-unit agreement. Bad Ass Coffee is slated to open its doors in Lake Geneva, a city just north of the Illinois border, in early 2025.
Marquee Coffee, LLC, a group of business partners from Naples, Fla. and Chicago, signed the biggest multi-unit deal in Bad Ass Coffee history in 2022 to bring 20 stores to Southwest Florida, which was revised in 2023 to include select markets where Chicagoans travel and/or own second homes.
The planned Lake Geneva expansion follows the successful opening of Marquee Coffee's first Bad Ass Coffee location in November 2023, across from the beach on Naples's "Miracle Mile." Marquee Coffee's overall goal is opening the rest of their stores within the next seven years.
"Since signing our franchise agreement, our experience with Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii has been nothing short of remarkable," said Ardel McKenna of Marquee Coffee, LLC. "After opening our Naples Miracle Mile store, we knew we needed to bring this premium Hawaiian coffee to more people. Expanding in the Midwest allows us to bring our 'ohana close to home and to where Chicagoans love to spend time.”
The news of Bad Ass Coffee's Wisconsin debut comes on the heels of several multi-unit development agreements in Las Vegas and the greater Phoenix area. In October, the chain named restaurant veteran Gregg Koffler as its chief development officer to continue its expansion.
"Ardel and his team's dedication to the brand and excitement in expanding across the country is exactly what we look for in franchise partners," said Scott Snyder, CEO of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii. "As we expand our brand presence in the Midwest, his industry expertise will help Bad Ass Coffee live out its mission of delivering quality customer experience while honoring our Hawaiian heritage. I have no doubt that the Lake Geneva location will succeed with the Marquee Coffee group at its helm.”
Founded in Hawaii in 1989, Bad Ass Coffee operates more than 30 U.S. locations, with more than 100 locations in various stages of development.