Dutch Bros Coffee, the Oregon-bred drive-thru juggernaut, is brewing up excitement with the opening of its first shop in Orange County this Friday. The celebrated chain, known for snappy service and a loyal clientele, will debut its latest addition in Fountain Valley, a sign that the caffeinated giant is expanding its reach in SoCal. The opening marks the first of two planned locations, with a second outpost set to shake up La Habra later in the year, as FOX LA reported.
Serving up an array of beloved beverages from teas to energy drinks, Dutch Bros has quickly become a staple in the drive-thru coffee scene since its humble beginnings as a pushcart operation in 1992. With its inaugural OC shop located at the corner of Magnolia Street and Talbert Avenue, customers are ready to get to drink creations like the Caramelizer and the heart-racing 9-1-1 concoction, featuring a staggering six shots of espresso. “I am so very excited Fountain Valley will welcome the first Dutch Bros for Southern California,” said Kim Constantine, Fountain Valley councilperson, in a statement obtained by the Orange County Register. The new outlet is bound to cater to their demands with its 950-square-foot facility featuring a double drive-thru.
The chain isn’t just known for its off-the-wall drinks but for a level of customer engagement, that’s rare in fast-food service. The so-called "bro-istas" are celebrated for their upbeat service style, personal touches, and a knack for creating a chummy rapport with the clientele, often memorizing drink preferences and life details. Some have even been known to offer a sympathetic free cup of joe to customers having a rough time. All this, alongside a selection of muffin tops and granola bars meant to tide over the peckish, creates the kind of repeat business that other chains can only foam at the mouth over.
While the new Dutch Bros location plans to operate from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and to extend service until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, the company has also devised clever methods to rapidly serve the throngs of thirsty customers. Implementing "runners" to take orders directly from the lines of cars and employing a bypass lane are just a couple strategies they have brewed up to alleviate the inevitable traffic jams, according to FOX LA's coverage. For those not a fan of the energy drink scene, take solace; the fan-favorite drive-thru stops short of selling drip coffee, sticking mainly to espresso-based options, both hot and cold.
