Bitty & Beau's Coffee: A Decade of Brewing Radical Inclusion

WILMINGTON, NC – January 19, 2026 – What began as a parent's desire to create a place of belonging for their children has blossomed into a national movement. Bitty & Beau's Coffee, the North Carolina-based company renowned for its mission-driven employment of people with disabilities, is set to celebrate its 10-year anniversary this Sunday, January 25. The milestone marks a decade of not only serving coffee but also fundamentally challenging societal perceptions of ability, dignity, and the future of work.

From a single shop in Wilmington, the company has grown into a powerful symbol of inclusive capitalism, demonstrating that a for-profit business can be a potent force for social change. An anniversary celebration at its flagship location will commemorate ten years of changing minds, one cup of coffee at a time.

A Mission Born from a Stark Reality

The story of Bitty & Beau's Coffee began in 2016 with founders Amy and Ben Wright. The parents of four children, two of whom, Bitty and Beau, have Down syndrome, the Wrights were confronted with a sobering statistic: nearly 80% of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the United States are unemployed. This reality was not just a number; it was a potential future for their own children, a future they refused to accept.

Rather than creating a non-profit program, they envisioned a vibrant, customer-facing business where people with disabilities were not just present, but were the very heart of the operation. The first shop opened its doors with 19 employees, each hired for their enthusiasm and potential, not their prior experience. The goal was simple yet profound: to create highly visible roles that would allow the public to interact directly with individuals with IDD, breaking down barriers and dismantling long-held stereotypes about their capabilities.

"Ten years ago, we were simply trying to build a place our kids could belong," said co-founder Amy Wright. "We didn't know what it would become. This anniversary reminds me that when people are trusted with real work and visible roles, it doesn't just change a business—it changes how people see one another."

Brewing Success with a For-Profit Model

A crucial element of the company's strategy is its identity as a for-profit enterprise. This was a deliberate choice to prove that employing people with disabilities is not an act of charity, but a sound business decision. The Wrights aimed to create a sustainable and scalable model that other businesses could replicate, normalizing inclusive hiring across the economy.

This "human rights movement disguised as a coffee shop" has proven to be financially viable. The company has expanded primarily through a franchise model, attracting entrepreneurs who are not only investing in a coffee business but also in a social cause. The investment for a new franchise ranges from approximately $464,750 to $857,050, with estimated annual gross sales around $620,000. This places the brand competitively within the fast-casual coffee segment, proving that purpose and profit can coexist.

The social mission serves as a powerful market differentiator. In a crowded coffee landscape, customers are drawn to the unique experience. The shop's design itself facilitates this, with intentional choices like placing espresso machines on back counters to remove physical barriers and encourage more natural conversations between staff and patrons. Customers frequently report that the positive, joyful atmosphere and meaningful interactions are what bring them back, creating a loyal base that champions the brand's mission.

A Decade of Measurable Growth and Impact

Over the past ten years, the impact of Bitty & Beau's Coffee has become undeniable. From its origins as a single storefront, the brand has grown to 25 locations across 13 states, from the Carolinas to Colorado. Its workforce has expanded from 19 individuals to over 450 people with disabilities nationwide. This growth has been fueled by an outpouring of public support and national media attention, including features on major television networks and co-founder Amy Wright being named the 2017 CNN Hero of the Year.

This success stands in stark contrast to the broader employment landscape. According to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 37.8% of working-age people with a disability are employed, compared to 74.4% of those without a disability. Bitty & Beau's serves as a powerful counter-narrative, a tangible example of what is possible when opportunities are created. The company's influence extends beyond its own payroll, as it actively challenges other business leaders to rethink their hiring practices.

The founders often pose a direct question to their peers in the business community: "What's your company's excuse for not having one person with I/DD on staff for at least 2 hours a day, 1 day a week, doing something within your four walls of business?" It's a challenge meant to spark a wider movement, leveraging their success to advocate for systemic change.

The Future: Normalizing Inclusion Worldwide

As Bitty & Beau's Coffee looks toward its next decade, its ambitions are growing. The founders envision a future where their coffee shops are "across the world," making inclusive environments the rule, not the exception. The franchise model remains the primary vehicle for this expansion, with several new shops slated to open in the coming year.

Beyond physical expansion, the Wrights are amplifying their message through new media platforms. They recently launched "The Bitty & Beau's Coffee Show," a weekly YouTube talk show featuring the family, offering a more intimate look at the mission and the people who inspire it. This digital outreach aims to deepen the public's understanding and connection to the cause, inspiring a new wave of advocates and inclusive employers.

The 10-year anniversary celebration, to be held this Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at their Wilmington headquarters, is more than just a party. With a live DJ, a dance floor, and complimentary coffee, the event is a testament to a decade of joy, dignity, and radical inclusion. It celebrates the hundreds of employees who have found meaningful work and the countless customers whose perspectives have been changed, embodying a movement that continues to prove that a simple cup of coffee can be a vessel for profound human connection.