A neon-lit 7 Brew drive-thru is on the way to Ashland’s Bailey Lakes area, with franchise operators planning a modular stand at 729 US-250. Construction is expected to kick off this summer, and the shop is targeting a fall 2026 opening. If the timeline holds, the stand will roll in alongside a new Culver’s and other projects on a long-quiet corner just north of town.
Site Plan and Permit
A National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit submitted to the Ohio EPA lists a proposed construction start of June 2 and an estimated completion date of Sept. 2, according to Richland Source. The outlet reports the permit was filed Feb. 23 and that Ashland’s mayor confirmed the city engineer has received preliminary site plans. Those documents cover stormwater work and give city staff a timeline for review before any building permits are issued.
Who’s Behind the Build
The kiosk will be developed by Motley 7 Brew, a franchise group that organized in January 2023 to expand 7 Brew’s drive-thru format in Ohio, Texas and Georgia, according to the company’s about page. Motley 7 Brew is led by Tom Cook and Rick Nader, and the group has been tapping outside investment to speed up openings, per a recent BusinessWire notice about Orangewood’s backing. Company materials describe an aggressive growth target of hundreds of stands, aimed at building a larger regional footprint.
What to Expect at the Window
Customers can expect the familiar 7 Brew lineup of hot and cold coffees, energy drinks, the chain’s fizzy creations, flavored lemonades, teas and shakes. That snapshot tracks with local coverage and company materials that highlight the brand’s customizable drinks and rotating seasonal offerings, according to What Now Columbus. Recent Ohio openings have also included limited-time items such as cereal-milk matcha lattes and other new flavor experiments.
Local Context and Timeline
The site sits on a 10-acre parcel that the city subdivided for multiple businesses after a sale last October. Richland Source reported the land sold for roughly $2.3 million following a city-approved tax abatement. Ashland’s planning commission split the property into four parcels to house a Culver’s, a hotel and other restaurants, and the 7 Brew stand is slated to take one of those pads near the Goasis station. Those local approvals, along with utility work and broader site prep, will ultimately decide whether the June start date listed on the permit becomes reality.
Motley 7 Brew has told local outlets it is planning additional Columbus-area locations and more openings around Northeast Ohio and Cincinnati over the next two years, and What Now Columbus reports it reached out to the company for comment. As Motley 7 Brew puts it on its site, “we’re not just brewing coffee—we’re serving up connection, energy and joy with every cup,” a pitch the franchisee is using as it scoops up suburban corners across the state.
