Dutch Bros Expands into Florida, Targets Tampa Bay for Growth
Dutch Bros Coffee is accelerating its nationwide expansion, with Florida playing a key role in its ambitious growth plan. The company aims to surpass 2,029 locations by 2029 and has set a long-term goal of 7,000+ stores across the U.S. As part of this effort, Tampa Bay will soon welcome its first Dutch Bros locations, marking a significant milestone for the drive-thru coffee brand in the Sunshine State.
The Tampa Bay expansion will include a new drive-thru-only location in South Tampa, situated at 3616 W. Ballast Point Boulevard, where it will replace an existing car wash. This site has been strategically selected for its high-volume traffic patterns and proximity to a dense residential population. Additionally, a second location is set for development at the corner of State Road 54 and Sunlake Boulevard in Lutz, furthering the brand’s reach into Pasco County.
Dutch Bros’ presence in Florida was solidified earlier this year with the opening of its 1,000th store in Orlando. That milestone underscores the company’s strong interest in Florida’s growing consumer base and its commitment to gaining market share in high-demand metro areas.
Several factors are driving this momentum. The company’s market entry approach is rooted in strategic site selection, prioritizing high-visibility, high-traffic areas to optimize customer access and sales performance. This data-driven site acquisition process is supported by a shift toward build-to-suit leases, enabling Dutch Bros to limit capital expenditure and streamline new store rollouts. Financially, this model has proven effective, with same-store sales increasing by 5.3% in 2024. Newly opened locations have outperformed prior openings by approximately 20% in their first year.
The company’s growth trajectory is further supported by a scalable operational model. Dutch Bros currently maintains a bench of over 450 operator candidates, all of whom began as hourly employees. This internal leadership pipeline is designed to maintain consistency in service and operational excellence as the brand continues to scale nationally.
As Dutch Bros moves into the Tampa Bay market, commercial real estate professionals will likely observe heightened demand for well-situated drive-thru parcels in suburban and urban-adjacent corridors. Dutch Bros’ entry serves as both a signal of continued retail tenant activity in Florida and a benchmark for how consumer-facing brands are evolving their site strategies to align with population trends and convenience-driven retail formats.
