Meet the 50 Facilities Leaders to Watch This Year
Learn more

Insights for facilities leaders across retail, restaurant, grocery, and c-store operations.

All articles

7 Brew’s Drive-Thru Blitz Hits 600 Stores

Facilities News Desk
Published
January 6, 2026

Drive-thru coffee brand 7 Brew reaches 600 locations nationwide, nearly doubling its store count since the start of 2025 through a franchise-powered expansion.

Credit: Outlever

Key Points

  • Drive-thru coffee brand 7 Brew reaches 600 locations nationwide, nearly doubling its store count since the start of 2025 through a franchise-powered expansion.
  • The company's small-footprint, double-lane drive-thru model generates average unit volumes of over $2 million, backed by private equity firms Blackstone and Drink House Holdings.
  • To manage its rapid growth and explore new formats like walk-thru locations, 7 Brew has expanded its C-suite with new executive hires, including a CFO from Burger King's parent company.

Drive-thru coffee brand 7 Brew announced it has crossed 600 locations nationwide, a growth spurt that has nearly doubled its store count since the start of 2025 and solidified its position as a major player in the beverage space.

  • An explosive formula: The company’s hypergrowth is fueled by a franchise-powered model backed by private equity giants Blackstone and Jimmy John Liautaud's Drink House Holdings. Its small-footprint, double-lane stands are engineered for speed, reportedly generating average unit volumes of over $2 million.

  • The strategic blend: While perfecting its drive-thru playbook, 7 Brew is already experimenting with new formats, opening its first walk-thru locations in a Walmart and on a college campus. The move complements its core appeal of extreme customization—with over 20,000 drink combinations—and a fast-growing energy drink category that attracts a younger demographic.

  • Scaling the machine: To manage this breakneck expansion, 7 Brew has bolstered its C-suite with a new Chief People Officer, Chief Supply Chain Officer, and Chief Financial Officer. President Chris Dawson noted the new leadership is key to managing the growth without sacrificing operational quality.

As part of its leadership build-out, 7 Brew recently tapped a veteran from the parent company of Burger King to be its new CFO, signaling its ambition to compete at the highest level.

Related Stories