Dutch Bros is on the rise in the Inland Empire.
The self-described “fun-loving, mind-blowing drive-thru coffee company” opened one in Moreno Valley on Friday, Sept. 13, and at least six others are in the works in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
The Moreno Valley drive-thru is at 23140 Hemlock Ave., across the street from In-N-Out Burger off Pigeon Pass Road.
The other projects include two proposals for drive-thrus recently approved by planners in the city of Riverside, which doesn’t have any Dutch Bros yet. The other five are in various stages of construction.
Dutch Bros was founded in Grants Pass, Oregon, in 1992 by brothers Dane and Travis Boersma. The chain went public in 2021. According to Forbes, it is the fourth largest branded coffee chain in the nation. It has nearly 1,000 locations has been rapidly growing, with more 30 shops opening in 11 consecutive quarters, according to its first quarter highlights for 2024.
Dutch Bros sells a lot of coffee and tea, a sales volume of $2 million per location in the first quarter. Some of the drinks are highly caffeinated, such as the signature 9-1-1, which has six shots of espresso.
Dutch Bros locations typically have long drive-thrus, a few parking slots and no interior dining.
When asked about upcoming locations, Dutch Bros representatives acknowledged in an email Friday that Moreno Valley had opened but called other locations in “very early stages.” Residents of cities such has Hemet report the buildings look ready to open, and Google searches of upcoming San Bernardino locations yield messages such as “open September.”
Here are upcoming Inland locations:
Fontana: A restaurant is in the works at 8100 Cherry Ave., which was a vacant pad in a shopping center at Foothill Boulevard.
“We’re Dutchin’ it up in Fontana!,” proclaims a YouTube reel with an influencer dated Aug. 22. “Our newest drive thru shop is #comingsoon and our Broistas are getting ready to craft some killer coffee, Rebel energy drinks and so much more!”
Fontana already has a Dutch Bros at 17010 S Highland Ave. It opened in March, 2023.
Hemet: A drive-thru is under construction at 3121 W Florida Ave., which is in the Village West shopping center anchored by Stater Bros., Ross Dress for Less and Joann Fabric and Craft. Plans called for a 871-square foot building and a drive-thru that could stack 23 vehicles. It appears to residents as nearly complete.
Riverside: City planners approved rezoning 4990 and 4970 Van Buren Blvd. for a 950-square foot drive-thru on Thursday, Sept. 12. The land is currently occupied by a vacant single family residence built in 1946. The project would include a two-lane drive-thru that could stack 29 vehicles and nine parking spaces. It would be staffed by eight people at a time, including an employee dedicated to directing traffic. If cars in the drive-thru spill out onto Van Buren, they would be redirected into an adjoining Walmart parking lot.
There is a 10-day window to appeal the project.
The commission approved a 950-square foot drive-thru at 9604-9624 Magnolia Ave. on Aug. 15. The site is near Van Buren and Arlington Park.
San Bernardino: Two drive-thrus are close to completion, according to city officials. One is at 877 E Hospitality Lane, near Hampton Inn & Suites and Costco. The other is at 4236 N. Varsity Ave. in a new development called University Crossings.
Information: dutchbros.com
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