Oregon-Based Dutch Bros Coffee Launches Suburban Chicago Expansion

Dutch Bros Coffee officially entered the Chicago market on Tuesday, May 14, with the opening of its first regional location in Melrose Park . The new drive-thru facility, situated at 1931 N. Mannheim Road, marks the Oregon-born company’s first foray into the Chicago metropolitan area as part of a broader expansion strategy across northern Illinois.

Founded in 1992 in Grants Pass, Oregon, Dutch Bros has grown from a single espresso cart into the third-largest coffee chain in the United States. The company currently operates more than 1,177 locations across 25 states. Unlike traditional sit-down cafes, the Dutch Bros model focuses on high-volume drive-thru service, specializing in customizable beverages including energy drinks and specialty iced coffees.

The Melrose Park opening is the first of several planned outposts for the region. Company officials confirmed that additional locations are slated for Oak Park and Elk Grove Village. Furthermore, shops in Rockford, Buffalo Grove, and New Lenox are expected to open as early as this summer, while a proposed location in Oswego is currently moving through the local planning stages.

While the chain already maintains a presence in downstate Illinois—including Urbana, Edwardsville, Fairview Heights, and Mt. Vernon—the Melrose Park site represents its first move into the state's most populous region. Allie Lahti, the local market lead for Dutch Bros Coffee, stated that the Chicago area has been a long-term goal for the company and described the Melrose Park opening as the beginning of their local operations.