By Carole Hawkins–
Colorado-based Ziggi’s Coffee, whose signature items are sustainably sourced coffee and handcrafted hot and frozen drinks, announced its first California franchise will open in Citrus Heights.
New franchise owners Claude and Aurora Jones are currently seeking a location in town for the drive-thru style coffee shop, a company press release said earlier this month. Once the first store is up and running, the couple plans to open additional units.
Asked why Ziggi’s chose to locate in Citrus Heights, the company’s response suggested it was driven by the choice of the Jones’ as franchise owners, who are residents of Citrus Heights.
“Ziggi’s Coffee seeks qualified people that are a good cultural fit … [who] with the right support, we believe will be successful and good stewards of the brand,” Director of Marketing Kathryn Bleeker wrote in an email.
Claude Jones has a 22-year background in network engineering. A layoff, a small windfall of money and the wish to try something new sparked the desire to seek a franchise — and a love of coffee led the couple to Ziggi’s.
“Aurora and I tried various coffees, our son had a smoothie and our daughter just had to have some tea because, tea is her ‘thing,’” Claude Jones said of the family’s inaugural visit to Ziggi’s. “She took one sip, her eyes grew big and she said, ‘Dad, this is so good!”
Ziggi’s associates coffee with fellowship and is committed to providing excellent service and support for the communities it is part of, according to its company website.
Founded in 2004 by Brandon and Camrin Knudsen, Ziggi’s now has 11 locations in Colorado.
The Jones’ upcoming store and others like it mark the expansion of the franchise outside Colorado. Nine stores are slated to open soon and 15 others are in development. The new stores will be located in Colorado, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Arizona and California.
Since the exact site in Citrus Heights has not yet been selected, no physical address for the new drive-thru has been announced.
Ziggi’s menu features hot, iced and frozen coffees, teas, Italian sodas, smoothies, and specialty items like a Mile High Peanut Butter Twist Blender and a Colorado Coconut Mocha coffee. The menu also includes several breakfast, lunch and snack food items.
To qualify for a Ziggi’s franchise, owners must have a minimum available liquidity of $100,000 and a net worth of $350,000, according to the company’s website. The investment needed varies from $199,700 to $910,500, depending on the market.
Another coffee drive-thru, The Human Bean, also has its eyes on Citrus Heights and received approval from the Planning Commission last year to construct a new location at the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Old Auburn Road, in front of Master Donuts. Construction at the site has yet to take place.
Also on The Sentinel: Meet ‘Dee,’ the smiling face behind Master Donuts in Citrus Heights
