It all started with a mugg

Where we came from

Mugg & Bean began with a simple idea: that the spirit of generosity should be felt in every cup, every plate and every visit.

In the early 1990s, Ben and Judi Filmalter were inspired by a Chicago coffee shop with a warm, generous spirit. Ben brought that feeling home, opening the first Mugg & Bean at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town in 1996.

From day one, the brand was built around generous portions, Bottomless coffee, freshly baked treats and a welcoming atmosphere. But for Ben, it was always about turning customers into friends. He wanted more than a restaurant or coffee shop. He wanted a place where people could unwind, relax and reconnect, where customers become regulars and regulars become friends.

That seed of generosity has kept growing for more than 30 years. Today, there are over 300 Mugg & Bean restaurants, with a home in South Africa, Kenya, Botswana, Mozambique and even the United Arab Emirates.

In 2018, that same spirit took a new shape when Mugg & Bean partnered with Leroy Merlin South Africa, bringing Mugg & Bean On The Move into its stores nationwide so shoppers can refuel with a coffee or a meal while they browse.

Mugg & Bean is the place where you’re always welcome, and where you’ll always get more and more. For this, we raise our Bottomless muggs to Ben, a man who will always be remembered as Mr Generosity.