Scooter's Coffee Explained

Scooter's Coffee
Type:Private
Industry:Coffee shop
Founders:Don and Linda Eckles
Hq Location City:Bellevue, Nebraska
Hq Location Country:United States
Num Locations:800
Num Locations Year:2024
Area Served:29 states

Scooter's Coffee is an American drive-through coffeehouse chain founded and headquartered in Bellevue, Nebraska., the chain has 800 franchises in 29 states, and is currently the second-largest drive-through coffee chain and the fifth-largest coffee chain in the United States.

Overview

Scooter's Coffee uses a franchise model to establish new stores. Its locations are drive-through only and do not have sit-in dining areas.[1] The buildings are standardized and measure .[2] Its coffee is produced by Harvest Roasting, which was founded alongside Scooter's Coffee.

The menu includes hot and cold drinks, including coffee, tea, and smoothies; and food items such as pastries, burritos, and sandwiches. It also has breakfast and kids menus. Its signature drink is the Caramelicious, an espresso drink with caramel sauce and whipped cream.[3] [4] [5]

History

Scooter's Coffee was founded in 1998 in Bellevue, Nebraska, by Don and Linda Eckles.[4] In November 2023, Joe Thornton was named the new chief executive officer.[6] John Owen, a former executive for McDonald's and Subway, was named chief operating officer in January 2024.[7]

Scooter's announced their goal to reach 1,000 stores by the end of 2024 and began rapidly expanding in 2021. Between August 2021 and 2022, its store count increased by 25%. By December 2022, it had 500 stores,[8] and by October 2023, it had established its 700th store.[9] A 750th store opened in December 2023.[10] In June 2024, after opening its 800th store six months behind schedule, Scooter's Coffee retracted their 1,000-store goal by the end of 2024.

In February 2024, Scooter's Coffee built its sixth distribution center, a 183000square feet facility in Whitestown, Indiana, to support 300 stores across the Midwest United States.[11]

Locations

As of July 2024, Scooter's has over 800 stores across 29 states, making it the second-largest drive-through coffee chain in the United States, behind Dutch Bros. Coffee.[12]

Notes and References

  1. News: Swaby . Ian . Scooter’s Coffee targets late 2023 opening in Bradenton . July 15, 2024 . Observer . March 14, 2023.
  2. News: Scooter’s Coffee Opens in Lisle, Illinois . July 15, 2024 . QSR Magazine . December 11, 2023.
  3. News: Young . Chloe . Scooter's Coffee to expand drive-thru coffee shops in North Austin area . July 15, 2024 . . July 9, 2024.
  4. News: Scooter’s Coffee to open in Las Cruces . July 15, 2024 . The Las Cruces Bulletin . February 8, 2022.
  5. News: Bunch III . Edward . Scooter's Coffee developers still working to bring the chain's first location to Navarre . July 15, 2024 . . May 15, 2024.
  6. News: Scooter’s Coffee President Joe Thornton to assume CEO role in 2024 . July 15, 2024 . World Coffee Portal . November 2, 2023.
  7. News: Scooter’s Coffee appoints John Owen as Chief Operating Officer . July 15, 2024 . World Coffee Portal . January 15, 2024.
  8. News: Scooter’s Coffee reaches 500 stores across the US . July 15, 2024 . World Coffee Portal . December 9, 2022.
  9. News: Scooter’s Coffee reaches 700 stores across the US . July 15, 2024 . World Coffee Portal . October 2, 2023.
  10. News: Morrell . Dominic . Scooter’s Coffee opens 750th location in Frisco, Texas . July 15, 2024 . Global Coffee Report . December 12, 2023.
  11. News: Scooter’s Coffee Opening Huge Indiana Distribution Center . July 15, 2024 . Daily Coffee News . Roast Magazine . February 15, 2024.
  12. News: Scooter’s Coffee reaches 800 stores as US drive-thru coffee competition heats up . July 15, 2024 . World Coffee Portal . June 18, 2024.