This generation has grown a love for what we call ‘fun drinks’ that refers to coffee, energy drinks and other drinks you can get at several places. There are so many places people will get these drinks but right now the two more popular ones are 7 Brew and Dutch Bros. 7 Brew has over 500 locations with 35 states having at least one location. Dutch Bros has 1,088 locations across the US, their locations in 24 states. Both companies have plans to open more locations across the US.
Each location has a big menu with various options. Coffee, energy drinks, blended drinks, smoothies, flavored sodas, and more. With these places being so similar, having similar menus, I ask myself, Which one is more popular? And why? What is the point of having 2 companies that are so similar? Both places are a drive-thru style coffee shop where the employees walk up to your vehicle, take your order and you drive up to pick it up.
The thing that made me think about the similarities is when I found out Des Moines is getting a Dutch Bros on the south side of Des Moines. They are going to be three minutes away from each other on the same street, SE 14th Street. This is going to be an internal battle between the two because they are so similar and they will be so close to each other.
These are a few things on the menu that are the same or similar. 7 Brew Blondie and Dutch Bros Golden Eagle, both these drinks are caramel and vanilla breves. They both have flavored energy drinks that you can order with different flavors and cream. These drinks are one of the more popular things on the menu at both places. Similar to the energy drinks, they have Sparkling Sodas that you can get any flavor and cream in. Both 7 Brew and Dutch Bros have signature flavors that they recommend for their energy drinks and sparkling sodas (Dutch Bros) or 7 fizz (7 Brew). A popular thing to do with these energy and soda drinks is to add cream. I am not a energy or soda drinker actually, so I am not sure how good they are but the coffee at 7 Brew is delicious.
7 Brew opened up their 500th location this year in October. According to Restaurant Dive, “The opening means the drive-thru focused coffee chain has achieved more than 50% unit count growth in 10 months — the brand had 321 locations at the end of 2024, according to its franchise disclosure document.” That is quite a big jump in one year, that just shows how much the store’s popularity has grown in 2025. 7 Brew gives some credit to their rapid growth to their customers Chris Dawson, the chain’s president said, “Our race to 500
stands is a testament to our amazing customers, remarkable franchisees and the best Brewistas on the planet. This milestone isn’t a finish line, it’s just another lap,” Dawson said in the press release.”
Dutch Bros revenue has grown quite a lot within this last year. Nation’s Restaurant News wrote, “For the second quarter ended June 30, Dutch Bros reported revenues of $415.8 million, an increase of 28% from $324.9 million in the same quarter last year.” The revenue has grown by almost $100 million in that year. They have had a growth in store locations as well, “Dutch Bros opened 31 stores in the second quarter and plans to open at least 160 additional units in the second half of 2025.” wrote Nation’s Restaurant News It’s safe to say their growth has been pretty steady in the last year and will continue to grow in the rest of the year.
With both places being similar the question still stands, which one is better? I truly don’t believe one is better than the other. They are different companies, with different values and standards. I have never had Dutch Bros, so I can not pick a favorite. I am excited to find out what is going to happen with bpth 7 Brew and Dutch Bros being so close to one another. So now you decide, Dutch Bros or 7 Brew?
