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If you live on the west coast, you've probably had to choose between Dutch Bros and Starbucks more than once. I've made that choice enough times to know it looks easy until you're standing there deciding what kind of coffee you actually want.
Both chains do different things well, so the better stop depends on what matters most to you.
I’m comparing price, menu range, taste, service, and rewards so the differences are easier to see.
Key takeaways
Dutch Bros vs. Starbucks – How do they compare?
Price range
Price is usually the first thing I notice when I’m choosing between Starbucks and Dutch Bros. Dutch Bros has a reputation for feeling a little easier on the wallet, while Starbucks can climb fast once you start changing the size, milk, or extras.
For instance, Dutch Bros small drink comes at a wallet-friendly $3.00, while their medium and large sizes go for $3.50 and $4.00.
Even their most expensive drink, the large Blue Rebel Energy, is only $6.50. So, is Dutch Bros cheaper than Starbucks?
Yes. Starbucks prices are higher across the board.
For example, a specialty drink at Starbucks will typically start at the cost of $5.95, and many options are pricier.
Menu options
The first time I looked over the Dutch Bros menu, what stood out was how far it stretches beyond coffee. Cold brew, hot cocoa, sodas, energy drinks, lemonades, milkshakes, smoothies, and tea all sit alongside the coffee drinks.
Dutch Bros’ menu doesn’t mention brewed coffee, but it does serve Americano. That threw me off the first time I looked for a plain drip-style option.
On the other hand, Starbucks’ menu is so much more extensive.
For example, they have espresso beverages, teas, hot cocoa, fruit juice, smoothies, apple cider, and milk. In practice, the menu feels broader for flavored drinks than for straightforward brewed coffee.
Starbucks coffee also has endless customizations and sizes, ranging from short to trenta size drinks.
Both coffee shops have unofficial “secret menu” items floating around in addition to the main menu you can order from.
With a broader range of options, Starbucks edges out Dutch Bros regarding food and drink offerings.
Signature drinks
Starbucks is also known for its regular and seasonal specialty drinks, which is a big part of why I end up back there when the weather changes.
Along with cappuccinos, teas, and espressos, they also serve a range of blended drinks, including Frappuccinos.
Their Frappuccino, a blended drink with whipped cream, coffee, or espresso, is one of the first drinks people usually think of at Starbucks. The Pumpkin Spice Latte gets the same kind of attention every fall, even from people who don’t order it the rest of the year.
On the other hand, Dutch Bros Coffee has plenty of fun signature drinks concocted with creativity and given catchy names like the Shark Attack, the Ninja, the Double RainBro, and the Dutch Bros Annihilator.
If you’re looking for a playful and imaginative approach to drinks, you’ll prefer Dutch Bros.
Customization options
Most Starbucks stores have made personalization an art form.
You can customize almost every part of your drink, from the number of shots to the type of milk and sweeteners. That flexibility is a big part of why the menu feels more open than it first looks.
Plus, with their variety of roasts and the convenience of the mobile app, ordering is easier when I already know exactly what I want.
On the other hand, Dutch Bros takes a simpler approach, offering their tea, coffee, and specialty drinks in either hot or cold brew, with the option to add extra shots or syrups.
Both menus feature predetermined flavor combinations, but you can ask for different flavor syrups or toppings with your order.
Customers can also choose from a limited selection of non-dairy milk options.
Beverage sizes
The difference in drink options becomes obvious after a few orders from each shop.
Starbucks offers various sizes, including trenta, venti, grande, tall, and short, which can get confusing if you’re used to Dutch Bros’ small, medium, and large options.
While this may seem limited compared to Starbucks, the medium size at Dutch Bros is roughly equivalent to a grande at Starbucks. I treat that as a rough comparison rather than an exact one.
That’s why Dutch Bros feels simpler to me, while Starbucks usually wins when I want more variety and more room to customize.
Coffee bean quality
Starbucks has built a reputation around high coffee quality and ethically sourced beans.
The company talks a lot about that commitment, which is part of why some people feel comfortable paying more there.
Dutch Bros, by comparison, leans harder into fun and flavor in its marketing, and it doesn’t talk about bean origin in quite the same way.
The origin of its Dutch Bros Private Reserve Coffee blend is tucked away on the Contact Us page.
While Dutch Bros offers excellent coffee, Starbucks is known for better coffee. It takes the lead in delivering its promise of high-quality, ethically-sourced coffee.
Food options
Although Dutch Bros doesn’t offer as many breakfast and lunch baked items as Starbucks, the muffin tops are the items I notice most, especially orange cranberry, lemon poppyseed, and chocolate chip.
Dutch Bros also makes granola bars that work well when I want a quick snack instead of a full breakfast.
Starbucks has a much wider bakery case, with bagels, bars, muffins, brownies, cakes and cake pops, cookies, croissants, loaves, scones, and tarts. My usual pick is the blueberry muffin, mostly because it holds up well with coffee instead of getting lost under it.
Starbucks has more food choices, including meal options and baked goods like breakfast and lunch sandwiches, wraps, oatmeal, and yogurt parfaits.
Their food items also include bistro boxes with cheese and crackers, nuts, fruit, and even hard-boiled eggs.
When it comes to food options, Dutch Bros has a much more limited selection than Starbucks.
Healthy options
If you’re counting calories, you need to pay close attention to what’s on both menus.
Dutch Bros offers low-calorie drinks and sugar-free syrups as well. You’ll also find plenty of non-dairy milk options like soy, almond, and oat milk.
Between the two companies, Starbucks offers more options under 100 calories. This is partly because they offer unflavored coffee drinks.
I usually see the biggest calorie shift when I switch to nonfat milk or almond milk, since both keep the drink lighter without changing the order completely.
Starbucks also makes it easier to build a more balanced stop if you want food with your coffee, since the snack case is broader and the milk options are more varied.
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Ambiance in the cafe
Dutch Bros and Starbucks have entirely different cultures; you really can’t compare the two. Dutch Bros is a drive-through company, so there’s little opportunity for interaction.
At Dutch Bros, the drive-through is the norm, and the walk-up window makes it easy to grab your drink and keep moving. Some locations have a place to sit, but I wouldn’t count on it.
Starbucks feels different because the quieter atmosphere makes it easier to stay a while, especially if I’m bringing a laptop or meeting a friend.
The seating, wall art, and softer lighting do make it more comfortable when I want to slow down instead of just pick up coffee.
All in all, if you’re looking for coffee houses with a chill vibe and captivating atmosphere, Starbucks is the way to go.
Number of locations
Starbucks has over 33,000 stores in 84 countries. Starbucks locations are everywhere, from bustling city centers to quiet suburbs.
They’ve also placed stores widely enough that you can usually find one without much effort.
Dutch Bros is a much smaller coffee chain.
You can find Dutch Bros in 12 states with around 538 stores, primarily serving coffee drinkers in the Western United States.
Its limited geographic reach means it can’t match Starbucks for global accessibility.
That smaller footprint does make some locations feel a bit more local and personal.
Environmental sustainability approach
The two chains talk about sustainability in different ways.
Starbucks has taken steps to minimize its carbon footprint by partnering with other companies and reducing water consumption in its stores.
However, Dutch Bros has not made any significant strides in this area.
Starbucks puts more emphasis on ethical sourcing and environmental language around its menu.
Dutch Bros says it cares about sustainability too, but that side of the brand feels less visible in the way it markets drinks.
Employment opportunities
Starbucks and Dutch Bros are well-known for their commitment to providing excellent employment opportunities.
Starbucks is the much larger company, so it naturally has more roles and more room for advancement.
It also offers benefits like health insurance, stock options, and a 401(k) plan.
Its training program is one reason the drinks can feel fairly consistent from store to store.
Dutch Bros is a much smaller company, so there are fewer opportunities for advancement.
However, it is known for a positive and supportive work culture, and it offers benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, and employee discounts.
It also provides training that focuses on communication and customer service, which fits the upbeat tone most customers notice right away.
Reward system for customers
Starbucks has a rewards program called “Starbucks Rewards” that lets customers earn stars for each purchase, which can be redeemed for free food and drinks.
The program also offers bonus star opportunities, personalized offers, and the ability to pay with the Starbucks app.
Dutch Bros has a loyalty program called “Dutch Rewards” that gives customers points for each purchase, which can be redeemed for free drinks, merchandise, and other perks.
They also offer exclusive member-only deals and promotions.
The rewards programs for both cafes have their unique benefits, and it ultimately depends on what you are looking for as a customer.
Stock options
Starbucks is a publicly traded company whose stock can be bought and sold on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the “SBUX” ticker.
For several years, they have offered their employees stock options as part of their compensation package.
Dutch Bros, on the other hand, went public under the ticker “BROS.”
It is unclear if they offer stock options to their employees.
What exactly is Dutch Bros? (Brief history)
Dutch Bros was established in 1992 in Oregon when Travis and Dane Boersma wanted to start a coffee cart where they could sell espresso beverages.
By 1996 they were sourcing coffee beans and roasting them. They offer an array of coffees, teas, and cold, creamy drinks.
The founders, who had experience in the dairy industry, take pride in serving high-quality products and providing excellent customer service.
Although they tend to focus on creamy drinks, they also offer traditional cups of coffee and tea.
Why do people like Dutch Bros?
People love Dutch Bros for many reasons, but one of the main ones is the customer service.
The staff at Dutch Bros are known for being extremely friendly, personable, and upbeat, and that energy is part of the experience whether I’m ordering quickly or staying in the line a little longer.
Dutch Bros also offers a unique menu of bean coffee drinks and other specialty drinks you won’t find everywhere else, which helps it stand out from other coffee chains.
They also offer a wide range of non-coffee drinks, so it works well for anyone who wants something other than espresso.
Dutch Bros also values its community, and it shows in the way they treat customers and give back to local charities.
Dutch Bros drawbacks
The menu is still narrower than many coffee shops, and that shows if I’m looking for a very specific drink.
If you’re looking for a specific beverage or flavor, you might not find it at this coffee house.
Additionally, the high sugar content in some drinks can become an issue if you’re trying to keep things lighter.
Even so, the quality ingredients and customer service keep a lot of people coming back.
Brief history of Starbucks
Starbucks is one of the most iconic coffee franchises globally, with a vast selection of hot and cold beverages.
Founded in 1971, it took a while to gain momentum, but once it did, the brand became hard to miss.
Nowadays, you can find a Starbucks on almost every corner, and the breakfast and lunch options make it an easy stop when I’m in a hurry.
What’s so great about Starbucks?
Starbucks Coffee has become synonymous with quality coffee and dependable customer service.
One thing that sets Starbucks apart is the vast selection of hot and cold beverage options available.
From classic coffee drinks like lattes and cappuccinos to seasonal creations, there is usually something new to try. That variety is a big part of why people keep checking the menu.
In addition to quality drinks, Starbucks also prides itself on personalized customer service, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere in its cafes.
Starbucks drawbacks
While Starbucks has gained a reputation as a go-to spot for coffee lovers worldwide, it’s not without its drawbacks.
One of the most significant concerns is the environmental impact of their products, with widespread use of single-use cups contributing to the global waste problem.
Their prices are also on the higher side, which can make it an expensive daily habit.
There have also been criticisms of the company’s labor practices, with some employees reporting poor working conditions and low wages.
FAQs
Is Starbucks coffee stronger than Dutch Bros coffee?
Starbucks coffee usually tastes stronger to me than Dutch Bros. The roast comes through more clearly, and the aroma feels fuller before the first sip.
Where is the biggest Starbucks in the world?
The biggest Starbucks in the world is located in Chicago, USA. The Starbucks Reserve Roastery spans 35,000 square feet and five floors, making it a coffee lover’s dream come true.
What was Starbucks’ first drink?
Starbucks’ first drink was a simple cup of coffee. When the company was founded in Seattle in 1971, its main focus was selling premium coffee beans and equipment to local coffee shops and individuals.
Where is the cheapest Starbucks in the world?
Some lists point to Turkey as home to one of the more affordable Starbucks tall lattes. It’s one of those details that changes depending on exchange rates and local pricing, so I’d treat it as a rough comparison rather than a fixed fact.
What drink is Dutch Bros famous for?
Dutch Bros is most famous for their Rebel energy drinks. They’re a delicious blend of unique flavors and a shot of caffeine, perfect for those who need an extra energy boost to get through the day.
What are Dutch Bros baristas called?
A Dutch Bros barista is known as a “bro-ista,” which matches the company’s friendly tone. The name also reflects the way staff refer to each other as “brothers” and “sisters.”
Conclusion - Who wins?
When it comes to Starbucks or Dutch Bros, everyone has their own opinions. They both have clear strengths, and the better choice usually depends on what kind of coffee run I’m making.
Some people may prefer the unique and bold flavors of Dutch Bros, while others may prefer Starbucks’s classic and consistent full-bodied flavor. I usually choose Dutch Bros when I want something sweeter or quicker, and Starbucks when I want more control over the drink itself.
The best coffee is the one you enjoy enough to order again. For me, that usually means picking the shop that fits the moment rather than chasing a single winner.
