Dutch Bros vs. Starbucks Which Should You Go To

Most people are torn between whether the franchise Dutch Bros or Starbucks is better than the other. Both are excellent in their own ways. Dutch Bros, in one way, are seen as better since they have a larger variety in drinks than Starbucks. To compare these two, it helps to know how it feels to be there and how the staff treats you. Knowing the comparison of their prices is another big factor in comparing them.

Menu

Starbucks is well known for its classic espresso drinks like their cappuccino and lattes, refreshers, cold or hot teas, and seasonal drinks like the pumpkin spice latte. Dutch Bros is more known for their variety in drinks like their Red Bulls drinks that you can add your own flavors making every drink unique. They have their own drinks too like Shark Attack (Red Bull fusion with blue raspberry, coconut, lime flavors and usually blended), Golden Eagle (Can get it iced or blended and it’s an espresso drink with half-and-half and added flavors like caramel and vanilla). Dutch Bros may beat Starbucks in drink variety, but Starbucks has something that Dutch Bros doesn’t and that is their delicious food that they serve. They sell sandwiches and pastries like cake pops that are really delicious. Both places offer great things but if you're more of a coffee than sugary and flavor type of person I would say Starbucks is your fit but if you like trying something new every time you go and like that sugary rich taste Dutch Bros is for you.

Environment

Starbucks is more like your typical cafe that you sit inside as long as you want, while they provide free wifi so you can enjoy your coffee and croissant while working on that assignment you haven’t finished or that work related stuff you haven’t finished or even going with friends to study and have a good time. Dutch Bros on the other hand is more of a fast paced drive thru to help you get through the day with your coffee or energy drink. At Dutch Bros, the staff like to make you feel welcomed and try to be friendly, often asking about your day and what you plan on doing just making the whole experience even better, and every worker is trained to treat you this way. The Starbucks that is located on Court St Pasco, WA, the staff don’t get me wrong, they aren't rude but aren’t always as jolly like at Dutch Bros and don’t like to make much conversation. So, if you enjoy having a quick chat with a friendly stranger, I would recommend Dutch Bros but if you want something that is quick and just give me my drink type of vibe I would recommend Starbucks.

Price

Dutch Bros is most of the time cheaper for the size of your drink. Sometimes it depends on the drinks because adding a lot of extra things, like popping boba or asking for extra thick, will make it pricier. Starbucks is a bit more expensive but not super excessive. Dutch Bros gives you better value though since you can get bigger sizes and they don’t charge a lot. Dutch Bros biggest size is 32oz and is usually around $7-$8 and Starbucks biggest drink is 30oz that is priced at around $8-$9, so they are kind of similar. Starbucks also has sandwiches and pastries that are usually kind of pricey compared to other places, but it is nice to have the accessibility to get some food with your drink unlike at Dutch Bros. Overall Dutch Bros is slightly cheaper since they give you more for your buck, but Starbucks has stuff that Dutch Bros doesn’t like bread to eat with your coffee, so I would just say it’s up to your preference since the price difference isn't huge.

Drink Comparison

I went to Dutch Bros and asked for a golden eagle to compare it to a Starbucks caramel macchiato with half and half and cold foam since they are very similar so I could do an accurate comparison. For Dutch Bros golden eagle I initially tasted a sweet caramel coffee that felt more sweet than the caffeine. Starbucks macchiato was more of a less sweet little bitter taste but you could easily feel that caffeine rush from just the first couple of sips. The Starbucks drink was for sure more of a straight coffee taste. Dutch Bros drink was more of a flavorful drink that felt less like coffee and more like a sugary drink. I would recommend the golden eagle for people that want a rich and flavorful drink but if you prefer a slightly sweet but bitter and more coffee like drink I would recommend Starbucks.

Important Ingredients

Another way to compare these two coffee places is their focus on ingredients. Dutch Bros is more a place where they focus on syrups and extras like popping boba and other things. They are more focused on making drinks unique and sweet. Their coffee is more dependent on their flavors instead of them standing out by themselves. Starbucks, on the other hand, is more focused on their espresso, coffee, and using milk and syrups to rely on the coffee and not overpower the coffee flavor unlike Dutch Bros where it’s the other way around. Even in Starbucks’s sweetest coffee drinks, the coffee flavor is very strong, making them more popular for their coffee. The difference between the two make Starbucks feel more like traditional coffee that you get for that caffeine feeling and Dutch Bros more of a dessert style drink that you go for flavor.

Accessibility and Pace

Starbucks is way more accessible compared to Dutch Bros. There are over 17,000 locations all spread out through the United States. Dutch Bros isn't as accessible since there are only around 1,000 plus stands in the United States so it makes it harder to find a Dutch Bros compared to a Starbucks which is in most grocery stores and cities. Starbucks are also in a lot of malls which makes them more accessible since most people get thirsty walking around in a mall. Dutch Bros is more convenient when it comes to their pace. They have people outside their stand taking people orders that are far back in the line speeding up the process for you to get your drink and continue with your day faster. Starbucks isn’t slow but they are compared to Dutch Bros since they only take your order once you are at the machine which can make the line bulk up and make you late to work especially if you are a person that barely runs on time. Dutch Bros will have you most of the time in and out so you can head to work faster and not risk being late. Starbucks is more of a sit down and relax so you can work or study and enjoy your drink at a slow pace while you never feel rushed.

Overall Comparison

Both Dutch Bros and Starbucks exceed in their own ways so you can’t just say one is better than the other. Dutch Bros excels in having a variety of drinks and having them unique to your personal customizations. Starbucks is more basic and has a set amount of drinks. Starbucks takes the win when it comes to an amazing coffee taste that gives you that rapid caffeine rush. Dutch Bros is more for you to enjoy your sweet dessert like drink that can have as much flavors as your heart contents. Starbucks wins when it comes to easy access since there is much more available Starbucks in the United States. Dutch Bros is less accessible since there are only about 1,000 or more available in the United States. Dutch Bros is superior when it comes to the quickness in receiving your drink. Starbucks is a slower pace to give you your drink but they are greater when it comes to wanting a traditional cafe to do work or study. Dutch Bros is more fit for people that want to have a nice conversation with a stranger while you wait for your drink. Overall it’s a difficult decision that is more decided based on personal preference than anything else with keeping in mind the positive aspects.

By: Jacob Contreras