7 Brew vs Dutch Bros: Which Drive-Thru Coffee Is Better?
7 Brew vs Dutch Bros is the big drive-thru coffee matchup in America. Both chains serve sweet coffee, energy drinks and smoothies through fast drive-thru lanes. Dutch Bros is older and bigger, while 7 Brew is newer and growing fast. This guide compares their menus, prices, energy drinks, speed, rewards and locations so you can pick your favorite.
1992
Dutch Bros founded
2017
7 Brew founded
1,100+
Dutch Bros shops
775+
7 Brew stands
Quick answer
Is 7 Brew Better Than Dutch Bros?
Quick answer: It depends on what you want. 7 Brew is usually a little cheaper, a bit faster and does not charge for most add-ins. Dutch Bros has more shops, a longer history and a bigger food menu.
7 Brew and Dutch Bros look a lot alike from the road. Both use small buildings with two drive-thru lanes and friendly staff who walk out to take your order. Both sell lattes, breves, energy drinks, lemonades, sodas and smoothies. The main differences are price, size of the menu, food and how many shops are near you. Below, we break down each one side by side.
Many news stories call 7 Brew a Dutch Bros look-alike, and the two brands even have similar names for their staff. Dutch Bros workers are called Broistas, and 7 Brew workers are called Brewistas. Still, each chain has its own signature drinks and its own feel. If you live near both, the best test is to try one favorite drink at each stand. Our tables below show what to order to make that test fair.
Side by side
7 Brew vs Dutch Bros Comparison Table
This 7 Brew vs Dutch Bros table puts the key facts about both chains in one place. Store counts change every month, because both brands open new shops quickly. Prices are for a Medium iced latte, using numbers reported by each company or by news outlets in 2026. Speed numbers come from Placer.ai visit data. Your local shop may be a little different.
| Feature | 7 Brew | Dutch Bros |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 in Rogers, Arkansas | 1992 in Grants Pass, Oregon |
| Locations | About 775+ stands in 38 states | About 1,100+ shops in 25 states |
| Medium iced latte | From about $4.75 | About $4.95 |
| Free add-ins | Most flavors, milks, whip and drizzle | Varies by item |
| Average visit time | About 8.7 minutes | About 10 minutes |
| Energy drink | 7 Energy (own energy base) | Rebel |
| Food | Muffin Tops only | Muffin tops plus breakfast items in some states |
| Staff name | Brewistas | Broistas |
Tip: For an up-to-date count, check the official 7 Brew store locator and the official Dutch Bros website.
Prices
Is 7 Brew Cheaper Than Dutch Bros?
In most towns, the 7 Brew vs Dutch Bros price gap is small, but 7 Brew is a little cheaper. A news report in May 2026 found a Medium iced latte at 7 Brew for as little as $4.75. A Medium iced latte at a nearby Dutch Bros cost about $4.95 through online ordering. That is only a small gap, but 7 Brew also lets you add most flavors, milk swaps, whipped cream and drizzles at no extra cost. Those free add-ins can make a sweet, custom drink cheaper at 7 Brew.
Prices are set by each shop, so they can change from city to city. Specialty drinks cost more at both chains. At 7 Brew, signature 7 Originals and 7 Energy drinks sit near the top of the price list. At Dutch Bros, Rebel energy drinks and smoothies are among the most expensive. See our full 7 Brew prices guide for every category and size.
| Drink (Medium) | 7 Brew | Dutch Bros |
|---|---|---|
| Iced latte | From about $4.75 | About $4.95 |
| Energy drink | About $7.75 – $8.00 | About $4.75 – $6.00 |
| Smoothie | About $8.25 – $8.50 | About $5.00 – $6.00 |
Menu
7 Brew Menu vs Dutch Bros Menu
In a 7 Brew vs Dutch Bros menu test, both menus are built around sweet, flavored coffee. 7 Brew splits its menu into 7 Originals, 7 Classics, 7 Energy, 7 Fizz sodas, teas, lemonades, smoothies and shakes. The company says it offers more than 20,000 drink combos. Dutch Bros has its own classics, cold brews, Rebel energy drinks, lemonades, smoothies and freezes. Both chains also have a fan-made secret menu.
7 Brew favorites
- Blondie: breve with vanilla and caramel
- Sweet and Salty: breve with caramel and salted caramel
- Cookie Butter Cold Brew
- Ocean Breeze 7 Energy
- Pink Mermaid 7 Fizz
Dutch Bros favorites
- Golden Eagle breve
- Caramelizer
- Annihilator
- Rebel energy drinks
- Lemonades and freezes
If you love vanilla and caramel, both chains will make you happy. The 7 Brew Blondie and the Dutch Bros Golden Eagle are both sweet breve drinks with caramel. Energy drink fans should try 7 Energy at 7 Brew and Rebel at Dutch Bros, since those are each brand’s signature energy line. Kids and non-coffee drinkers have plenty of choices at both stands. Check our best 7 Brew drinks list to find a good first order.
Energy drinks
7 Energy vs Dutch Bros Rebel
Energy drinks are a big part of the 7 Brew vs Dutch Bros battle. At 7 Brew, 7 Energy drinks mix the brand’s own energy base with fruity flavors. Popular picks include Ocean Breeze, Pixie Stick and Firecracker. There is also a sugar-free version for people who want fewer calories. Our 7 Brew energy drinks guide lists every flavor with its caffeine and calories.
Dutch Bros makes its own energy drink called Rebel. It comes in many fruity flavors and can be ordered iced, blended or as a sugar-free drink. Both drinks have a lot of caffeine, so they are not a good pick for kids. The FDA says most healthy adults should stay under about 400 mg of caffeine a day. If you are sensitive to caffeine, ask for a smaller size or a caffeine-free drink.
Food, speed and rewards
Food, Speed and Rewards Compared
Food
7 Brew keeps food simple. It only sells Muffin Tops in Blueberry, Chocolate Chip and Lemon Poppy Seed flavors. Dutch Bros also sells muffin tops, and it has been testing a bigger food menu. In early 2026, Dutch Bros food was in about 300 shops across 11 states, with items like breakfast wraps and waffles. If you want a real breakfast with your coffee, Dutch Bros may be the better stop. See our 7 Brew food guide for calories and allergens.
Speed
Speed matters at a drive-thru, and in 7 Brew vs Dutch Bros, 7 Brew wins this one by a little. Placer.ai data showed an average visit of about 8.7 minutes at 7 Brew. Dutch Bros came in at about 10 minutes, and Starbucks was close to 14 minutes. Both chains use staff with tablets who take orders in the line to keep cars moving. Lines can still get long during the morning rush at either shop.
Rewards
Both chains have free rewards apps. The 7 Brew Rewards app lets you earn points on every drink and use them for free drinks. Dutch Bros has a similar program called Dutch Rewards, with points, free drinks and app-only deals. Dutch Bros also lets you order ahead in its app at many shops. Pick the app for the chain you visit most to get the most value.
Where to go
Which One Should You Choose?
After this 7 Brew vs Dutch Bros review, our advice is simple. Choose 7 Brew if you want a lower price, free add-ins and a huge list of flavor combos. It is also a great pick if you like very sweet coffee and fruity energy drinks. Choose Dutch Bros if you want more food, more shops to choose from or the Rebel energy drink. In the end, the best chain is the one with the drink you crave most.
| If you want… | Go to |
|---|---|
| The cheapest custom drink | 7 Brew |
| The fastest visit | 7 Brew |
| A breakfast wrap or waffle | Dutch Bros |
| The most shops nearby | Dutch Bros (in most areas) |
| A huge list of flavor combos | 7 Brew |
| Rebel energy drinks | Dutch Bros |
Not sure if there is a 7 Brew near you? Use our 7 Brew locations guide to see which states have stands. 7 Brew has been opening more than 100 new stands a year, so one may open in your town soon. You can also print our free 7 Brew menu PDF before your first visit. It makes ordering in the drive-thru quick and easy.
FAQ
7 Brew vs Dutch Bros FAQs
Is 7 Brew owned by Dutch Bros?
No. 7 Brew and Dutch Bros are two different companies. 7 Brew started in Arkansas in 2017 and is backed by private investors, including Blackstone. Dutch Bros started in Oregon in 1992 and is a public company.
Is 7 Brew cheaper than Dutch Bros?
Usually, yes, by a small amount. A Medium iced latte starts at about $4.75 at 7 Brew and costs about $4.95 at Dutch Bros. 7 Brew also includes most add-ins for free.
Which is bigger, 7 Brew or Dutch Bros?
Dutch Bros is bigger, with more than 1,100 shops in 25 states. 7 Brew has about 775 stands in 38 states, but it is growing very fast.
What is the 7 Brew version of the Golden Eagle?
The closest drink is the 7 Brew Blondie. It is a breve with vanilla and caramel, which is very close to the vanilla and caramel taste of the Golden Eagle.
Does 7 Brew have Rebel?
No. Rebel is a Dutch Bros drink. At 7 Brew, the energy drink line is called 7 Energy, and it comes in original and sugar-free versions.
Is 7 Brew faster than Dutch Bros?
Placer.ai data shows an average visit of about 8.7 minutes at 7 Brew and about 10 minutes at Dutch Bros, so 7 Brew is slightly faster on average.
Keep exploring
More 7 Brew Guides
Sources and How We Checked
We compared 7 Brew and Dutch Bros in October 2026 using company statements, news reports and the official menus. Store counts and prices change often, so we update this page when new numbers come out.
- Official 7 Brew menu
- AP via East Idaho News: 7 Brew expansion and prices (May 2026)
- Modern Retail: Dutch Bros 2026 growth plans
- 7 Brew on Wikipedia
- Official Dutch Bros website
- FDA: How much caffeine is too much?
Note: 7 Brew Menu is an independent fan guide. We are not owned by or connected to 7 Brew Coffee. Prices and drinks can change by location.
