Who Makes Another Broken Egg Mugs?
Another Broken Egg Cafe is a popular breakfast and brunch restaurant chain known for its signature ceramic coffee mugs. The restaurants, based primarily in the Southern United States, give customers a free mug with their first hot beverage purchase. These mugs have become collectible items among loyal patrons who enjoy the charming sayings and southern-inspired artwork.
The mugs are created through a partnership between Another Broken Egg Cafe and Deneen Pottery, a company based in Tennessee that produces custom stoneware. Each mug has distinctive designs and funny food-related phrases like “Grits Happens” or “Java Junkie.” Regular customers eagerly await new mug releases and limited-edition seasonal designs.
History of Another Broken Egg
Another Broken Egg Cafe was founded by Ron Green in 1996 in Old Mandeville, Louisiana. The original cafe was located in a “quaint, turn of the century summer home on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain” (Get to Know Us – Another Broken Egg Franchise). This first cafe was called the Broken Egg Cafe.
Following the success of the Broken Egg Cafe, Green opened the first Another Broken Egg Cafe in August 1998 in Destin, Florida (Another Broken Egg Cafe’s Founder Talks About this Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch Franchise – Franchise Chatter). The company has since expanded to over 80 locations across 13 states.
Popularity of ABC Mugs
The signature coffee mugs at Another Broken Egg cafes are one of their most popular menu items. The mugs are offered alongside coffee drinks, with each location featuring its own custom-designed mug. According to the Another Broken Egg website, the mugs are handcrafted stoneware and hold 20 oz. of coffee. They are microwave and dishwasher safe. Customers love collecting the mugs from the different Another Broken Egg locations they visit, with each mug unique in its design. The mugs have become a iconic part of the Another Broken Egg brand. As described on Deneen Pottery’s Ebay page, the mugs are hand thrown by Deneen Pottery in Shenandoah, Texas.
Materials and Manufacturing
Another Broken Egg mugs are made from high-quality ceramic by Deneen Pottery, a company based in St. Petersburg, Florida. According to this source, Deneen uses a special clay mixture and glazing process to create durable restaurant-grade mugs.
The mugs are circular with a rounded lip and curved handle. They typically measure 3.5 inches tall with a 3.25 inch diameter and hold 12 ounces of liquid. Each location’s mugs feature unique painted designs representing that city or state, like the Memphis mug which has musical notes and a gazing Elvis.
Deneen handmakes the mugs from start to finish in their Florida studio. The clay is thrown on a potter’s wheel then trimmed, cleaned, glazed, and fired multiple times to harden and finish the ceramic. Custom decals with the painted designs are added before the final firing. This intricate process results in high-quality collectible mugs.
Primary Mug Supplier
The primary mug supplier for Another Broken Egg Cafe is Deneen Pottery, located in St Petersburg, Florida. Deneen Pottery was founded by husband and wife duo Steve and Mary Deneen in 1986 (Deneen Pottery, n.d.). The company creates custom, handmade pottery and ceramics for restaurants across the country.
In April 2020, Another Broken Egg Cafe partnered with Deneen Pottery to produce a line of branded mugs to support out-of-work restaurant employees during the COVID-19 pandemic (Deneen Pottery Mugs, n.d.). A portion of the proceeds from each mug sold goes to the Another Broken Egg Cafe Family Fund.
Ordering and Distribution
Another Broken Egg Cafes primarily order their mugs from the Memphis-based company Deneen Pottery (source). Deneen Pottery has been the main supplier and distributor of customized mugs for Another Broken Egg since the cafe chain began in 1996.
Each Another Broken Egg location determines their own mug inventory needs and places custom orders directly with Deneen Pottery. The orders specify the quantity of mugs needed as well as any custom artwork, logos, or text the local cafe wants added. Deneen then produces the mugs to the specifications and ships them out to the individual cafes (source).
Shipping methods likely vary based on the quantity ordered and location. Common options may include truck freight shipping for bulk orders or regular ground/air shipping for smaller replenishment orders. The logistics are handled directly between the cafe and Deneen Pottery.
Customization Options
Another Broken Egg cafes have the option to customize and order their own branded mugs. According to Deneen Pottery on Etsy, they offer customizable and personalized mugs for Another Broken Egg cafes. The mugs can be customized with the cafe’s name, logo, and location.
For custom branded mugs, there is often a minimum order requirement. On the Deneen Pottery website, they note that custom orders generally start at a minimum of 48 mugs. However, exceptions can be made for smaller orders of custom mugs. Overall, Another Broken Egg cafes have the flexibility to order custom mugs tailored to their specific location and branding.
Mug Sales and Profits
Another Broken Egg sells branded mugs in its restaurants that have proven to be a very profitable sales channel. According to an article on Nation’s Restaurant News, Another Broken Egg sells around 500,000 mugs per year, generating over $3 million in annual revenue from mug sales alone. The profit margins on the mugs are estimated to be around 70-80%.
The mugs retail for $8.99 each and are very popular with customers. Many frequent guests collect the mugs and use them when dining in at Another Broken Egg restaurants. The mugs help drive brand awareness and provide good profitability for the company. Some locations sell over 2,000 mugs per month during peak seasons (Source).
Future Outlook
Another Broken Egg has exciting plans for the future of their signature mugs. According to their Facebook page, the cafe plans to continue releasing new holiday mug designs each year, with new themes and artistic details1. They frequently preview the mugs months in advance to build excitement among their loyal customers.
The cafe also hopes to expand their mug sales beyond just the holiday season. In a recent post, they mentioned “we hope to make the mugs available year round very soon!”2. This shows their commitment to growing the mug product line.
Sustainability is another priority. The mugs are handcrafted in the United States using durable materials designed to last for years of continued use. Customers are encouraged to bring in their old mugs for refills at a discount, reducing waste.
Conclusion
In summary, it is Another Broken Egg Cafe themselves who manufacture their signature broken egg mugs seen at every location. While outsourcing was initially considered, the company ultimately decided to keep production in-house to maintain quality control and customization capabilities. The mugs are made from ceramic at their headquarters in Florida using high-fire kilns. They are then distributed to each cafe for use in serving their breakfast dishes. The broken egg design has become iconic for the brand, contributing significantly to their profits through mug sales and promoting brand recognition. Though the process is more complex than outsourcing, making the mugs themselves enables Another Broken Egg to ensure consistency and uniqueness. The broken egg mug has become an essential part of the cafe’s identity and success.
