By Sophia Do & Zachary Leach
Fountain Valley is buzzing with excitement as Dutch Bros Coffee makes its grand return, unveiling its second location in the heart of the city on Warner Street. Known for its colorful drive-thru experience and a menu packed with fan-favorite beverages, Dutch Bros is ready to serve up smiles and caffeine to their customers. With its signature upbeat vibe and commitment to community, this latest opening was undoubtedly a hit.
In February of 2024, Dutch Bros Coffee had its first grand opening as the first location in all of Orange County. The company had been a popular coffee chain that originated in Oregon and once it came to Fountain Valley, it took over the news and word got around fast. By offering an extensive menu featuring varieties of expressos, slushies, teas and lattes, Dutch Bros quickly became a favorite go-to coffee shop for many.
However, this small location alongside the street of Magnolia found itself constantly jam-packed with customers throughout the whole day. The drive-thru and walk-up lines were long and extended beyond the parking lot, making every trip a guaranteed wait.
“Dutch Bros has my favorite coffee, the Golden Eagle, and I had a hard time getting my hands on it often. I would try to get it after school or during lunch but found myself losing to traffic every time,” junior Athena Tran said.
Seven months later the company franchise decided to expand to another location in Fountain Valley, only two blocks from the first location. Similar to other places, the store offers drive-thru and walk-up options and their signature minimalistic ambiance. However, this new location is surrounded by a more popular area consisting of other cafes, grocery stores and restaurants. It is larger than the first shop, with more seating options and parking spots available.
“Business has been soaring and we are so excited to see its success. Customers are happy with another close-by location, and I love working here and interacting with them,” Mikkie Bilyeu, a staff member at the new location, said.
What makes it such a popular store is not only its expansive menu with unique creations and blends of flavor but also its customized nature, allowing people to create their own drinks. However, does this second location affect the business of the first location?
“Although it did attract many of our customers, it helped take off the workload and pressure a lot. The customers are happy too since there are not too long of waits anymore. We still find ourselves crowded every morning and night and the other store seems to be doing well, so I think everyone is satisfied,” Avery Marks, a staff member at the first Dutch Bros, said.
Whether you need a quick pick-me-up or your daily caffeine run, check out one of these locations and you will be greeted with a guaranteed welcoming service and satisfaction in your taste buds.
