The list is out…and once again, the College of Pharmacy has its place among the top 100 UGA alumni-owned businesses.
In early December, UGA announced the 2026 Bulldog 100, a list of the fastest-growing businesses owned or led by UGA graduates. Four alumni-owned businesses whose leaders graduated from the College of Pharmacy made the prestigious 2026 Bulldog 100 roster. These businesses include:
Former pharmacists-turned food entrepreneurs Chad Coulter, PharmD ’08, and his wife, Laura, founded Biscuit Belly to create a place where guests could savor authentic southern flavor with a flair. Specializing in brunch cuisine that features classic southern biscuits with a twist, Biscuit Belly is in 19 locations in nine states, with major plans to expand operations throughout the southeast in the next year.
“To improve the lives of our patients by making their health care needs our first and only priority,” is the mission of the Coastal Drug Company in Midway, GA. Owned and operated by Ben Ross, PharmD ’08, and Mary Nagel, PharmD ’16, along with Mona Patel, a UGA 2011 graduate from the Terry College of Business, the Coastal Drug Company provides a personalized pharmacy experience to everyone who visits this rural community pharmacy. Dr. Ross was the recipient of the 2025 Michael J. Bryan Award, which is presented to a returning Bulldog 100 honoree who demonstrates an entrepreneurial spirit and whose business has sustained growth.
Considered a patient-centric pharmacy, King’s Pharmacy has served the Murphy, NC community for almost 40 years. Owners and operators Dorris Hyer, PharmD ’12, and John Hyer, PharmD ’12, recently expanded into locations in Hayesville, NC and Blairsville, GA. Their new offerings include a full-service compounding lab, immunizations, and an innovative solution to simplifying medication regimens. Both Hyers have been named to UGA’s prestigious “40 Under 40” listing, which honors young alumni who are leaders in their profession and communities–John in 2021 and Dorris in 2024.
Reed Liggin, BSPH ’94, leverages advanced artificial intelligence to provide the necessary data to hold payers accountable, optimize revenue, and improve financial outcomes for community hospitals and specialty physician practices. Through SlicedHealth, located in Woodstock, GA, Liggin provides the expertise, services, and guidance that allows organizations to strengthen their financial performance.
“Our college’s honorees epitomize the values of innovation, leadership, entrepreneurship, and excellence,” said CoP Dean Kelly Smith. “We are proud to celebrate their achievements and the impact they are making across their communities and for those they serve.”
This year’s UGA Bulldog 100 class includes businesses that are headquartered in 10 states, with 85 of the businesses located in Georgia. In total, 140 alumni, representing industries from health care and engineering to construction and marketing, are being recognized on this year’s prestigious list. Bulldog 100 applicants are measured by their business’s compounded annual growth rate during a three-year period.
This class joins more than 900 leaders who have been honored on the Bulldog 100 roster since the program’s inception in 2010.
The 2026 Bulldog 100 celebration to recognize these alumni and count down the ranked list to reveal the No. 1 fastest-growing business will be held at UGA on February 7th. To view the entire 2026 Bulldog 100 roster and learn more about the program, see here.
