Bean & Tea Co opens third location in Clarkston

For 20 years Raymond Christopher Enterprises has made its way by running franchise eateries, such as Cinnabon and Mrs. Fields Cookies. This year it’s launching its own franchise, Bean & Tea Co. The Plymouth-based coffee shop specializes in providing locally produced coffee, tea and snacks. It offers a handful of coffee options and offers 25 varieties of loose leaf tea selections including black, oolong, green, white, herbal and fruit infusions. "This is the first time where it’s our concept from the ground up," says Jill Crawford, manager of the Michigan region for Bean & Tea Co. Bean & Tea Co has taken over three locations that were once Caribou Coffee stores. It now employs 23 people at the stores. The franchises in Troy and Madison Heights opened earlier this year. A new one in Clarkston is opening this week, bringing another nine jobs into the fold with it. "The Troy location is our hub location," Crawford says. Bean & Tea Co is looking at adding more locations before the end of the year, but it's doesn't have definite plans as of right now. Crawford says the company takes advantage of opportunities as they present themselves and moves quickly when it does. Source: Jill Crawford, manager of the Michigan region for Bean & Tea Co Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.