Dutch Bros Acquires Drive-Thru Chain Clutch Coffee Bar – CoffeeTalk

Dutch Bros has announced its acquisition of Clutch Coffee Bar, a drive-thru coffee chain with 20 locations in the Carolinas. The closure of Clutch Coffee’s stores will take place on Friday at 4 p.m., after which renovations will transform these establishments into Dutch Bros locations. Currently, Dutch Bros operates only two shops in the Carolinas: one in Morrisville, North Carolina, and another in Summerville, South Carolina. The financial terms of the acquisition remain undisclosed.

Clutch Coffee, founded in 2018, highlights its achievement with this acquisition as a means to further its mission while maintaining shared values such as servant leadership and community engagement. The company’s co-founder and CEO, Darren Spicer, who began his coffee career at Dutch Bros, expressed excitement about this transition, recognizing it as a ‘full-circle moment’ that reflects the connection between the two brands. With over eight years of service in the coffee industry, Clutch has focused on customer experience, evident in practices like engaging music for customers and using runners to take orders instead of traditional drive-thru speaker boxes.

Spicer emphasized that despite the transition, the core values of Clutch—positive energy, quality service, and a strong community focus—will persist and even be amplified under Dutch Bros’ leadership. The acquisition is seen as a strategic move for Clutch, allowing it to continue its growth without compromising its principles. Clutch’s locations span across North Carolina and South Carolina, with notable presence in cities such as Greensboro and Columbia.

Dutch Bros is currently pushing toward a target of 2,029 shops by 2029 and aims for over 7,000 locations in the long run. The chain reported a positive performance in recent quarters, with a 5.7% increase in same-store sales in Q3 and an overall growth strategy that included expansion into new states. With the acquisition of Clutch Coffee, Dutch Bros aims to enhance its footprint in the Carolinas, emphasizing its commitment to human connection and community through its operational expertise. The transition will provide new growth opportunities for employees and customers alike, reinforcing both brands’ dedication to quality, speed, and service.

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