Published by Jill Abrahamsen, FranchiseWire
For 25 years, The Big Biscuit has been serving up classic breakfast and lunch favorites guests want and crave. With 29 locations serving communities across Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas, the brand has become a household name. What’s the recipe for being known as the best breakfast in town? Sticking to what it does best: offering impossibly generous portions of classic breakfast favorites like biscuits and gravy, benedicts and plate-sized buttermilk pancakes served with genuine hometown hospitality.
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, The Big Biscuit launched a new Birthday Cake Pancake topped with creamy vanilla icing and a heaping dollop of whipped cream, loaded with rainbow sprinkles and served with warm syrup. In addition, the brand introduced new cherry flavors with three new beverage options: the Shirley, Cherry Vanilla Cream Dr. Pepper or Pepsi, and Cherry Berry Lemonade.
The demand for high-quality morning and midday meals continues to rise, allowing big-portion brands like The Big Biscuit to stand out as a front runner. According to IBISWorld, the U.S. breakfast restaurant market was valued at $15.6 billion in 2025, with expectations of continued growth due to consumers’ preferences. The Big Biscuit has capitalized on this with its strong value proposition — abundant choices and generous portions, served quickly in a family-friendly atmosphere.
A Brand Rooted in Family and Tradition
The Big Biscuit has deep roots and a strong sense of identity. Founded in 2000 in Independence, Missouri, the restaurant began as a single location serving the local community. In 2010, father-and-son duo David and Chad Offerdahl recognized the potential of The Big Biscuit and acquired the brand, aiming to expand its reach while preserving its core values. Since then, the company has grown steadily, with Chad transitioning from multi-unit manager to President and Co-CEO, working alongside his father and several other tenured team members to lead the company.
“We’re a multi-generational brand,” says Chad. “We appeal to a broad demographic, from families and young adults who flood the restaurant over the weekend to professionals grabbing meals during a work day and retirees gathering for a mid-week breakfast and coffee with friends. Our guests know and appreciate that they can consistently count on us for a generous meal at a great value.”
Cowboy Charm Meets Modern Comfort
What sets The Big Biscuit apart isn’t just the food — it’s the experience. The brand embodies a mix of old-school American breakfast culture with a fresh and playful twist. With barnwood accents, lots of natural light, and a healthy mix of both rustic and modern elements, the restaurant feels comforting and current. “Envision a cowboy at the heart of our brand,” Marita Swift, Vice President of Strategic Growth, explains. “The Big Biscuit is hardworking, genuine, reliable and timeless — think Sam Elliott as a breakfast spot.”
Of course, the food is the real star. The Big Biscuit is known for its impossibly generous portions of classic comfort food classics, with a twist. Guests rave about the 24-hour brined and hand-breaded fried chicken and the oversized Brunch Burger, stacked high with crispy hashbrowns, runny eggs, and chopped bacon. There are signature dishes like award-winning biscuits and gravy, traditional ham and egg plates and, a wide variety of plate-sized buttermilk pancakes that keep guests hungry for more. The menu offers fresh fruits, old-fashioned oatmeal and protein-packed egg white omelets for those looking for something lighter. Regardless of the order or the number of guests, The Big Biscuit’s efficiency-focused service model boasts a 6-minute ticket time average, ensuring guests consistently get their meals hot and fast during every visit!
Multi-Unit Growth and Corporate Ownership
While 21 of The Big Biscuit’s restaurants are corporate-owned, the brand looks to grow its corporate footprint with experienced multi-unit operators in the food and beverage space. The Offerdahls are hungry to develop new locations while valuing the brand’s founding mission — to create great experiences through dependable hospitality, consistency and healthy partnerships in focus.
Expansion is about finding the right people to grow the brand’s legacy. The Big Biscuit is intentional about its franchisees, choosing sophisticated owners with restaurant and business experience. “We’re not looking to franchise anywhere or with anyone,” says Swift. “We’re interested in building strong, lasting relationships with the right people.”
With 29 locations, an AUV of $1.6 million, family-friendly business hours between 6:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., and a food cost percentage of 24.05%, according to the brand’s 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Big Biscuit has BIG opportunities. The first-ever Big Biscuit franchise has expanded its commitment to 11 locations across Oklahoma. “I have been a multi-unit franchisee for over 30 years, says Steve Zahn, multi-unit Franchisee of The Big Biscuit. “The commitment with The Big Biscuit team is unmatched. The corporate team works hard to make the brand and the restaurants as strong as possible, and together we add value to the communities we serve.”
That dedication to value extends beyond franchise ownership to the guest experience. There’s a reason breakfast and lunch spots like The Big Biscuit thrive — guests keep coming back for the warm, inviting atmosphere and generous portions — YES, you can expect leftovers and the sense of tradition that comes with every meal. With impressive speed-to-table service, a welcoming community vibe and a focus on quality ingredients, The Big Biscuit has built a loyal following that spans generations. This commitment to excellence hasn’t gone unnoticed. The Big Biscuit has earned numerous awards, including:
- A Top 5 Breakout Brand in 2024 by Franchise Times
- Finalist in the 2024 Global Franchise Awards
- Multiple regional awards, including Best Breakfast four years in a row by The KC Pitch, Best In The World by TulsaWorld, and Ingram’s Fastest-Growing Companies in 2024
As the brand grows, it remains committed to serving quality meals with its signature hometown hospitality. As Offerdahl puts it, “We’re not trying to be the trendiest spot in town. We’re the consistent, welcoming and reliable spot where everyone in the community comes together for the most loved meal of the day – breakfast!