Dutch Bros started in 1992 in downtown Grants Pass, Oregon. Starting as a pushcart on the side of a railroad, with the mission of making a difference, just one coffee at a time, no matter how big or small. Dane and Travis Boersma started this business, leaving behind the dairy industry to begin working in the coffee industry.
Their business was lively with music and the sound of talking from making connections with their community. The growth of Dutch Bros had support from their family and friends, along with their loyal customers. Having all of this support led them to expand in Oregon, along with the opening of their first franchise in 2000. Following the expansion in Oregon and the first franchise opening, they continued to expand throughout the Northwest. Dutch Bros continues to grow, spreading their sense of community one coffee at a time.
In 2006, Dutch Bros started hosting company-wide give-back days. This is where they donate a dollar from every drink that is sold on a certain day. Later, this idea got a name, turning into Dutch Luv because of all the growing support from all their customers. Now, each February 13th, the donations collected go to local communities or food banks, anything that helps the youth, like non-profit organizations. After the success of Dutch Luv, they proceeded with the idea of “Drink One For Dane”, which officially started in 2007.
Drink one for Dance was started in honor of the co-founder, Dane Boersma, after he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This event is held on a Friday in May to support ALS research, in which a portion of the proceeds from every drink sold goes to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). ALS stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, which is a neurodegenerative disease that targets the nerve cells (neurons) in people’s spinal cord and Brain. ASL affects your muscle control, with symptoms that worsen as time goes on.
Dutch Bros stands on how sweet and caring their workers are, saying “creating connections is part of who we are; sometimes, a single connection touches an entire community.” In 2016, Dutch Bros broistas went viral for supporting a customer, in Vancouver, WA, some Dutch Bros workers noticed that the woman sitting in the drive-through was falling apart emotionally. They took time to see if she was alright, soon finding out that this reaction was from recently losing her husband. Hearing this, the Dutch Bros workers took several minutes to pray for her, making sure she didn’t need anything before she left. Sharing the good vibes like Dutch Bros always does. Dutch Luv doesn’t just go to their customers, it expands to their broistas as well. In 2019, Dutch Bros baristas made headlines again when they formed together during a company event to Venmo a fellow barista enough money to be able to go to college. This unprompted, unexpected, unbelievable act is what Dutch Bros culture is all about.
In 2021, they began serving more in the Southeast, particularly in Texas and Oklahoma. Dutch Bros serves many types of drinks that are all customizable, letting you make anything you want. Dutch Bros sells coffees, Italian sodas (sparkling sodas), lemonades, Rebels (energy drinks), teas, chai’s, hot chocolate, shakes, and smoothies, along with a few flavors of muffin tops. Now you can stay up to date on any announcements through their social media platforms. “Remember every trip to Dutch Bros should feel like a celebration”.
