Dutch Bros now operates 538 US locations | Photo credit: Dutch Bros Inc.

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US drive-thru coffee chain Dutch Bros has started the new year on a strong footing after posting robust 2021 results.  
 
In the year ended 31 December 2021, Dutch Bros opened 98 new coffee shops, of which 83 were company operated, bringing its total to 538 stores in the US. Meanwhile, like-for-like store sales grew 8.4% over the period and 10.3% on a two-year basis, with the company entering the Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas markets in 2021.
 
The chain, which marks its 30th anniversary in 2022, also posted significant growth in its Dutch Rewards loyalty programme, which added 500,000 registered members in the fourth quarter to reach 3.2 million.
 
Dutch Bros now says it is on track to open 125 new stores in 2022, revised up from the 112 it forecast last year.
 
“Consistent with our experience in the third quarter, thankfully the fourth quarter did not present significant outages in operating hours due to staffing shortages, reinforcing our belief in the strength of our culture and operating model,” said Joth Ricci, CEO and President of Dutch Bros Inc.
 
“As we approach our 30th anniversary, 2022 is already shaping up to be exciting for Dutch Bros, and we look forward to introducing more customers to the Dutch Bros brand and having the opportunity to serve them,” Ricci added.
 
In September 2021, Dutch Bros. revealed significant growth ambitions for the US market as it pitched investors for an IPO that raised approximately $557m. The following November, Dutch Bros surpassed 500 stores in the US with Ricci saying the brand’s had the potential for ‘at least’ 4,000 stores in the US.