Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, founded by Wei and Lisa Bee 30 years ago in Ann Arbor, has gone from a single shop to an incredibly successful chain with 626 shares across the US. With its focus on community and fresh ingredients, Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea continues to be a beloved presence all over the nation.

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea began its journey in Ann Arbor 30 years ago when founders Wei and Lisa Bee opened a shop at 123 W. Washington St. This dynamic husband-wife duo had both graduated from the University of Michigan and drew upon their experience in the restaurant industry to create this venture. Today, Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea is now a beloved presence all across the country, boasting 626 shares.

With 40 locations in 12 states, including Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, South Carolina, Tennessee, Arizona, Texas, North Dakota, and Michigan, the company’s franchising model has been a major success. Nowhere is this more evident than in Michigan, where Wei and Lisa still oversee the operations of four Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea locations, including the original spot, the Westgate library location, and the coffee shop inside the University of Michigan’s student union, as well as the Meijer on Ann Arbor-Saline Road. It is an incredible testament to their hard work and dedication that what began as a simple dream has now grown into a nationwide phenomenon.

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea’s success in Michigan is not only limited to the number of locations they operate but also the strong following they have garnered. Their loyal customer base continues to grow, as more and more people recognize the exceptional quality and unique atmosphere that Sweetwaters offers. This widespread popularity showcases Wei and Lisa’s ability to create a brand that resonates with people from all walks of life.

The Bees were proud to take the step into the franchise world after customers repeatedly asked for Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea at other locations. In 2005, the first franchise opened in Kerrytown and served as a test run to see what a Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea franchise would look like. Since then, the company has placed its core values into each location so that they all embody the same community-focused atmosphere of the Ann Arbor flagship store while using only real ingredients. This commitment to authenticity and community has allowed Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea to successfully expand its franchise across multiple states. With each new location, the company continues to prioritize providing a welcoming environment and high-quality products, ensuring that customers can enjoy the same exceptional experience no matter where they visit.

As a result, Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea has been able to impact countless lives throughout the country over the past three decades.

No matter how far and wide its reach expands, Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea will continue to be true to its core values of quality products, a community-focused atmosphere, and the use of real ingredients. From the original shop to other locations around the country, the Bees have melded together their dreams and dedication to create this special venture that has become a nationwide phenomenon today. The Sweetwaters Banana Cream Pie (which used to only be available in Michigan stores) is an added tribute to the beginnings of Sweetwaters – the very spot where it all started.