For Mike and Bettie Chapman of Barboursville, business success has always been about more than numbers — it’s about people, family, and community. The couple, both proud Marshall University fans and season ticket holders for football and basketball, have built an impressive local footprint through two beloved brands: Marco’s Pizza and The Human Bean.

Before stepping into business ownership full-time, both Mike and Bettie had long and successful professional careers. Mike worked for Walmart, serving as a Market Health and Wellness Director in the Cincinnati, Ohio market, where he oversaw operations across multiple stores. Bettie spent over two decades in healthcare as a Department Administrator for Ophthalmology at Marshall Health. “We both loved what we did,” Mike shared, “but we wanted to build something together that would let us stay closer to home and make a real impact in our own community.”

Their journey into entrepreneurship began in 2012 when they opened their first Marco’s Pizza in Huntington, located in the former Jolly Pirate building on 1st Street and 5th Avenue. Over the next four years, they expanded to Barboursville, Milton, and Ironton, Ohio. They later purchased three additional Marco’s Pizza locations in Hurricane, St. Albans, and Charleston — bringing their total to seven restaurants.

Today, Marco’s Pizza operates more than 1,300 restaurants across 40 U.S. states and several international locations, making it the fifth-largest pizza chain in the world. Locally, the Chapmans’ stores are known for favorites like the Pepperoni Magnifico — featuring two types of pepperoni, special spices, and a garlic butter drizzle. Their menu also includes wings, salads, subs, pizza bowls, calzones, Pizzolis, and desserts, with options for dine-in, carryout, or delivery.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chapmans decided to diversify their portfolio. “We realized that drive-thru concepts were the way of the future,” Bettie explained. “When we found The Human Bean, we knew it was the perfect fit — not just for the business model, but because of the company’s genuine focus on community.”

The Chapmans opened their first Human Bean location in 2022 at Pea Ridge Plaza in Huntington, followed by Ashland, Kentucky, in 2024, and Hurricane this July. With plans to open more throughout the Huntington–Ashland–Ironton–Charleston corridor, their goal is to continue growing while keeping that local connection strong. Overseeing the Human Bean operations is Zak Fletcher, who is also the son-in-law of Mike and Bettie.

Known for friendly baristas and premium coffee, The Human Bean serves everything from handcrafted espresso drinks and teas to smoothies, granitas, and Bright Energy beverages. Seasonal favorites include the Pumpkin Snowy and other pumpkin specialties, along with a full lineup of breakfast sandwiches and bagels.

At the heart of their business is giving back. The Chapmans’ Human Bean locations support local sports and cheer fundraisers, participate in national initiatives like Coffee for a Cure — which donates 100% of one day’s sales to help uninsured breast cancer patients — and host St. Jude Giveback Day, where $1 from every drink sold goes directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. They also work with area food banks, helping provide over 200,000 meals to families in need.

“We’ve been blessed to grow these businesses,” Bettie told Stroll Barboursville. “But what matters most is being good neighbors, giving back, and creating places where people feel valued — whether they’re grabbing a pizza for dinner or a latte on the way to work.”

When they’re not busy running their restaurants, Mike and Bettie enjoy traveling — especially to the Caribbean — and spending time with their daughters, Ashley (Zak) and Kristen (Colten), and grandchildren, Trace and Penelope.