If you are a fan of pizza, subs, appetizers, or all the above, a new restaurant coming to downtown Big Rapids may suit your interest.

Cottage Inn Pizza will be heading to Big Rapids to open a new pub on downtown Michigan Ave. The unique pub-style location will be the second in Michigan for Cottage Inn Pizza, with the first being in Davison. While there is no official day scheduled, the location at 126 S Michigan Ave. is aiming for a late summer or early fall opening.  

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to be part of the Big Rapids community," Cottage Inn Pizza Representative Jennie Patterson said. "We love the small-town feel of Big Rapids, and the community is full of friendly people.”

The Cottage Inn Pizza chain was founded in 1948 on Ann Arbor. It currently has over 63 operating locations across Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Cottage Inn added nine restaurants in last year and by Summer of 2025, the franchise is aiming to open 12 more.

Across the menu, Cottage Inn Pizza and Pub offers a wide variety of menu items. Appetizers include various recipes of cheese bread and sticks, as well as pub-specialized meatballs and nachos. They also have Italian specialties such as ravioli, lasagna, calzones, and paninis. Over 16 subs are listed on their oven-toasted subs menu, which comes in 6-inch, 12-inch, and gluten-free options. The most known item within the franchise is their gourmet pizza, including six different sizes and 25 different signature creations, and a build-a-pizza option. Various shakes, salads, and bar beverage options are also included.

According to Patterson, the location is hoping to offer live trivia and music bingo on various nights.

“When the opportunity was presented that the franchise wanted to expand by opening another pub, we thought the downtown area of Big Rapids would be a perfect place. We hope (it becomes) another spot for people to get together to eat some good food, maybe have a cocktail and some fun.”

More information on the opening will be released later this year.