Dutch Bros: Franchise Alternatives

If you’ve been eyeing a coffee franchise with strong brand loyalty and a fun, community-driven culture, Dutch Bros probably made your shortlist. While they’re unfortunately no longer franchising, the good news is that there are plenty of Dutch Bros franchise alternatives for aspiring owners who want to build a coffee business with the same energy and community spirit.

The brands below were hand-selected by the team at Franchise.com because they capture a similar mix of culture, profitability, and scalability that helped Dutch Bros become a household name.

Best Dutch Bros. Franchise Alternatives

After reviewing franchise disclosure documents (FDDs) and market data, we’ve identified the best Dutch Bros. franchise alternatives for investors seeking to capture the same loyal customer base and scalable business model. Each was chosen for its approachable investment range, strong brand presence, and reliable operational support.

​PJ’S COFFEE​

PJ’s Coffee blends New Orleans heritage with a franchise model built around strong training and reliable support. Founded in 1978, the brand is recognized for its small-batch roasting, high-quality Arabica beans, and its signature cold-drip brewing method, which gives PJ’s Original Cold Brew its distinctive flavor. For owners, that craftsmanship offers a clear point of differentiation in crowded coffee markets.

Training is a significant strength. Franchisees complete a multi-level program that includes 5–11 days of classroom and hands-on training in Mandeville, Louisiana, followed by 5–10 days of onsite support during opening week. Ongoing field training, refresher sessions, and operational consulting help new owners stay confident as they grow and develop.

Behind the scenes, PJ’s provides structured support in site selection, lease negotiation, design, construction, product distribution, and marketing. It’s a people-first system that emphasizes communication, hospitality, and long-term guidance from the corporate team.

Best for: Owners seeking a community-focused coffee brand with deep roots, intense training, and hands-on operational support.

7 Brew

7 Brew Coffee has quickly become a respected name in the drive-thru coffee space. The brand has that unmistakable small-town friendliness baked right into its DNA. Founded in Arkansas, it’s built around compact drive-thru kiosks that produce significant volume without the overhead of a full café.

What makes 7 Brew stand out is its culture and speed. The company tends to hire for personality as much as skill, and it shows. Franchisees train right alongside their crew through a tiered program that covers ownership, management, and barista certification. It’s all hands-on, with most of it taking place in Springdale and Fayetteville, Arkansas.

A certified “opening team” even joins you during launch week to ensure your first few days run smoothly.

Best for: Entrepreneurs who want a hands-on, high-volume drive-thru concept built on energy and customer connection.

Biggby Coffee

Founded in East Lansing, Michigan, Biggby Coffee embodies the essence of what happens when Midwestern warmth meets business acumen. It’s practical, unpretentious, and surprisingly scalable for what started as a college-town café. You’ll find Biggby shops everywhere, from strip centers to small downtowns. Their culture is centered on friendliness and consistency rather than flash.

What sets Biggby apart is its people-first training philosophy. Franchisees learn every position, from pulling espresso shots to balancing the books, through an 18-shift on-the-job process.

Online courses fill in the gaps with leadership and HR management. The result is owners who know exactly how the business runs and can coach new staff instead of outsourcing it. It’s approachable and grounded. It’s very much the “roll-up-your-sleeves” franchise option.

Best for: First-time franchisees or local operators who want a simple entry point into coffee ownership with strong cultural roots, who want to be hands-on with their local community.

Scooter’s Coffee

If you’re the type who color-codes your spreadsheets and appreciates a process that actually works, Scooter’s Coffee will make sense to you. Based in Omaha, it’s arguably the most dialed-in operational system in the coffee franchise world. Everything from training to supply chain is standardized, efficient, and repeatable.

What really distinguishes Scooter’s is its focus on multi-unit growth. The brand’s model is designed for foundational scalability, with clear pathways for franchisees to own and manage multiple drive-thru kiosks within a defined region. Its streamlined operations and corporate infrastructure allow owners to replicate success quickly across several locations, often with shared staff and centralized oversight.

Scooter’s runs a two-phase training system that covers ownership immersion and operational execution. Franchisees spend several weeks between Omaha and Dallas in classrooms, training kiosks, and real stores.

The sessions are taught by veteran operators, not career trainers, and they take you from financials to foam art with the same level of seriousness. Once your store opens, you’ll know exactly how to run it, down to inventory turn rates and labor targets.

Best for: Investors looking to scale multiple drive-thru units under a proven system with strict performance standards.

The Human Bean

Oregon’s The Human Bean feels like the quieter cousin of Dutch Bros., with the same heart, just a little less volume. The focus remains on fast, friendly service, but it trades hype for a warmer, more genuine customer interaction. You get the sense that the regulars know each barista by name, and that’s kind of the point.

Franchisees undergo a three-week course in Oregon that combines espresso skills with operational expertise. It’s a mix of classroom and hands-on time in real stores, capped off with a corporate rep onsite for your grand opening.

The approach is personal and steady: guidance without micromanagement. Owners are expected to learn the craft, not just manage from behind the counter.

Best for: Owner-operators seeking a community-driven coffee model that's approachable and free from corporate rigidity and noise.

Just Love Coffee & Cafe

Just Love Coffee Café takes a slightly different path. It’s part specialty coffee shop, part casual café. Think lattes and brunch under one roof. The model appeals to owners who enjoy hospitality as much as coffee, offering a broader menu that drives longer visits and higher ticket sales.

Training reflects that balance between art and business. Owners and managers head to Nashville for a two-week blend of classroom work and 80 hours of kitchen and barista training. You’ll learn the daily rhythm of the café, from inventory management to community outreach, and then receive on-site training during your grand opening. It’s a brand that builds relationships, not just repeat orders, and that ethos runs through the training.

Best for: Entrepreneurs who want to operate a true neighborhood café with food, coffee, and a place for regulars to linger.

Finding the Right Coffee Franchise Match for You

Every one of these Dutch Bros. franchise alternatives brings something a little different to the table or the drive-thru window. Some are built for speed and volume, cranking out coffees like clockwork. Others lean into craft, community, or that all-day café feel where folks linger and talk business over breakfast.

But here’s the thing: the real difference isn’t in the logo or the latte art. It’s in you, your goals, your market, and how you want to spend your time. The right franchise isn’t always the flashiest or the fastest-growing. It’s the one that actually fits your lifestyle, your neighborhood, and how hands-on you want to be.

Questions to Ask Yourself

• Do I want a fast-paced drive-thru model or a relaxed café environment?
• How hands-on do I plan to be day-to-day?
• What kind of investment feels sustainable?
• How much structure and corporate oversight am I comfortable with?
• Will this model work in my local market?

At Franchise.com, we take the guesswork out of it. Our team helps you find the franchise that fits you. From comparing FDDs to evaluating regional availability, we guide you through each step, enabling you to make a confident and informed investment.

If you’re serious about building something of your own, start your search with us. We’ll help you find a franchise that aligns with your goals and keeps your business brewing for years to come.

Start your franchise journey today.