Ziggi’s Coffee, a fast-growing national franchise, is opening a location in Brookings this May. It will be located at Trails Head, a new mixed-use apartment and townhome building at 1130 Main Ave. South.

In 2004, founders Brandon and Camrin Knudsen opened the first Ziggi’s Coffee in Longmont, Colorado. Since then, Ziggi’s has been expanding rapidly across the U.S., with over 100 locations in 20 states and more than 200 additional stores in development. Some of its newest locations opened in early 2024 in Sioux Falls and Aberdeen, South Dakota.

The franchise is known for its quick, high-quality service and diverse menu, including coffee, energy drinks, smoothies, chai, blenders and sparkling sodas. The company emphasizes how they stand out from other coffee chains and is proud of the brand they’ve made.

“We offer more espresso shots than our competitors, and we try to be known for our speed and efficiency,” said Peyton Johnson, social media marketing manager for Ziggi’s locations in Sioux Falls and Brookings.

For customers who have already visited Ziggi’s, convenience is a key draw.

“Ziggi’s is good for people on the run,” customer Shannon Wiley said, who often visits both the Sioux Falls and Aberdeen locations. “If you’re in a rush, you can order on their app or go through the drive-thru. It’s very fast and easy.”

Despite its focus on efficiency, Ziggi’s aims to balance speed and quality. Wiley described the coffee as sweet but strong and recommends their iced coffee and pistachio-flavored drinks.

“I have a very specific taste in coffee—usually, I don’t like chain coffee places—but I do like Ziggi’s,” Wiley said.

Beyond its menu, Ziggi’s markets itself as a place for everyone, offering a variety of drinks to cater to different preferences.

“Our motto is ‘The best part of your day,’” Johnson said. “We make an effort to give each customer a unique experience that keeps them coming back.”

While Ziggi’s expansion brings more choices for coffee drinkers, some local residents are skeptical about its impact on the market.

Brookings currently has nine standalone coffee shops, three of which are Starbucks. Over the years, independent cafés have thrived by offering unique atmospheres and specialty drinks, making it a competitive and dynamic market for new coffee businesses.

Zoey Stefanich, a Brookings resident and SDSU alum, expressed concerns about whether there’s room for another chain.

“I’m always here for a new local business to support, but I do think that there are a lot of coffee shops in Brookings, so I am fearful that there isn’t a market for it,” Stefanich said.

However, according to Stephanie Mason, vice president of economic development and operations for the Brookings Economic Development Corporation (BEDC), local coffee shops shouldn’t feel threatened.

“For a lot of our downtown coffee shops in particular, the foundation of their revenue comes from roasting coffee,” Mason said. “Kool Beans and Cottonwood both have a strong foundation in roasting and selling their beans wholesale, which sets them apart from franchises like Ziggi’s.”

In addition, a consumer survey and report from Brookings’ Business Retention and Expansion program found that residents want more retail and restaurant options on the south side of town—where Ziggi’s will be located.

“Ziggi’s emphasizes community, quality and a homegrown feel which aligns well with Brookings as a smaller city,” Mason said.

Unlike its Sioux Falls location, which only has a drive-thru, the Brookings Ziggi’s will include an indoor café, allowing for customer interaction and events for locals to enjoy.

“When looking for a coffee shop, I primarily consider local involvement and quality,” Stefanich said. “If I’m going to spend my money on coffee regularly, I want it to be good—and I want to support businesses that keep my money circulating in the community.”

This aligns well with Ziggi’s values. They believe you can make a real difference in your community and in people’s lives, and though it’s not easy, you can have fun doing it.

“We try to be involved with the community,” Johnson said. “We’ve hosted a couple of fundraisers with local nonprofits and supported local events, and we hope to do the same in Brookings.”