Biggby Coffee — Restaurant in Raleigh

I work at the Domino’s in the same lot as Bigby’s and have been very excited to try it since I first saw the signs for it. An ultra-convenient coffee spot is just what I’ve needed. Even better, they brought their business neighbors a stack of coupons - free drink, any size, any choice. Nice, groovy, I like it.

Unfortunately, I got stuck on closing shift right when they opened. Today is my first day opening again in about two months, and I knew it was the day to give Bigby’s a taste at last. Today is 6/5/23. I noticed the coupon expired on 6/1/23 - four days ago. I joked with my coworkers “Do you think they’ll still accept it?” because the answer as we saw it was - yes, obviously, of course; we’re practically next-door neighbors, I’m in my uniform, we’d do it for any of our neighbors, and in general restaurants in this complex are friendly with each other, frequently giving each other discounts or doing food trades.

So I go in with my coupon, acknowledge it’s four-days expired and explain this is my first day working in the morning since they opened, and try to order my medium black coffee - not large or extra-large, nothing fancy or extra, just a - what, $2? - plain black coffee. The woman at the register says no, I ask if she could ask the manager, manager says no. Their attitude wasn’t friendly or empathetic, no discount or anything was offered, no branch extended, no “oh we understand! It only just expired and you’re our neighbor, and given that we don’t need to scan the coupon or anything, we’ll just let you have this one on the house,” as any other business here would have done.

Perhaps I’m wrong in assuming that the free coupons given to their neighboring businesses was to try to win over new daily customers. I was excited to give Bigby’s a shot and hopefully make it my daily go-to, now that I’m working opening shift again. A four-day-delayed free $2 cup of coffee in exchange for a three-to-five-day-a-week loyal customer seems like a fair trade, right? Oh well, their loss: I took my business to Starbucks instead - where they gave me 10% off without me even asking, and to whom I gave the $5 cash tip I would’ve given to the woman at Bigby’s, had they been neighborly & had good business practice.

I was looking forward for a new, more convenient, non-Starbucks location to frequent, but alas, ‘twas ne’er meant to be. Bigby’s will never see a dollar from me, and I’ll make sure the staff here knows to skip it, too....

I needed to get some work done, wasn't able to do that at home, and I have been meaning to try the newish Biggby coffee location near me and thought I would give it a whirl. I've had friends on the other side of Raleigh say that their Biggby's is great for working. Online it said cozy atmosphere, and that it was quiet around the time I was going, so it seemed perfect.

When I entered there was one woman ahead of me, who appeared to be a regular, and the cashier was sooo friendly to her. So far so good. They have a nice chat, the woman leaves, I go up to order clearly looking around because I'm new, and the cashier immediately dropped her smile and was short with me. I ordered, and I asked if there was a wifi password. She sees my bag, kinda rolls her eyes, and says no. OK, maybe she just knew that lady in front of me. Maybe I look like someone she hates. I dunno.

I get my drink. It was ok, sweeter than I was expecting but that has more to do with me not knowing what to order than anything I think. I pull out my laptop to connect - there is no Biggby wifi. In fact, the only non password wifi is a Spectrum free trial one. I found it weird, but I tried to connect anyway, and it wouldn't. By now someone else has come in to order, ALSO a new person no knowing what to order, and this cashier lady is sweet as pie to her. SMH. So after that woman orders and chats and has a seat, I go up and ask about the wifi.

This woman treats me like an idiot and makes me show her the available ones, because clearly its a me problem. I show her, and then she gets grumpy and asks someone behind her. A barista goes "OH - some dude did call earlier and said something about the wifi. I couldn't tell if he was saying we don't have it or asking if we did have it. Weird. I guess we don't have it." Like. What?

After I start packing up the cashier is suddenly soooo nice to me. "Ooops, my bad, I guess we dooooon't". It was such a weird experience. I can understand if your wifi is down and you didn't know, but the attitude. Not to mention if a person calls you about the wifi wouldn't you check it? I was nothing but friendly and understanding and nice - and I didn't get any good vibes in return until after they realized they were in the...

Found Biggby via a coupon in the GoPlaySave book and glad I did. A regular customer now. My first visit I was welcomed as I entered the store and received excellent service from the cashier who greeted me.

They went over the menu options and answered all my questions. The workers were all being productive and the store was clean.

It’s a very refreshing and energetic environment due to the paint scheme and furniture selection. Music was at a good volume, not loud, and not some creepy wavesyth or bongo tunes like at Starbucks or Caribou. Very refreshing after years at Starbucks and caribous dark, drab interiors and extra loud music.

The drink was made quickly and as ordered. It tasted very good and much more natural than Caribou. And I feel I get more for my money due to their size than at starbucks. Bathrooms were also clean.

Only two things I’d change are ask the stores across the road NOT to park in your spots. They are making it hard for your customers to find a space. Plus they’re all young guys and back their cars in, revving engines and blowing the exhaust on your customers sitting outside. Maybe put “Biggby parking only, all others towed” signs up.

Plus several drug addicts and mentally ill are hanging around inside and out, and hassling customers for money. They also change their clothes while loitering at the patio tables and can get loud yelling at folks. And, unfortunately, are starting to stink up the side chairs inside. They gotta be hurting your business. My wife doesn’t want to go back because of them, scares her, so I make my trips solo now.

Coffee is great! Just tweak the facility issues and you’ll increase...