Dutch Bros VS. Starbucks

By: Itzel Paulin

Dutch Bros and Starbucks are two very popular coffee companies with many consumers; perhaps they are considered competitors but at the end of the day they both sell coffee. Dutch Bros is most known for the authentic twist that they add to not just their company but their drinks too! Whereas, Starbucks is seen as a little more basic but on the nicer side. Though each have their own pros and cons, and even differences. Like, Dutchbros can make just about anything that Starbucks can while Starbucks cannot make everything Dutch Bros can! Dutchbros tends to target a younger audience while Starbucks leans towards a more mature audience.

DRINKS

To start off, the main goal of each company is to supply their communities with high quality drinks. When it comes to drinks, Dutch Bros has an extremely customizable menu. You can add or remove anything in your coffee and it’ll be no big deal or just order something odd and they will not question it. Starbucks is much stricter regarding that. Apparently, there are certain requests that they cannot fulfill. But, at least you can still enjoy an iced or hot coffee in both Starbucks and Dutch Bros, however Dutch Bros offers a blended option which Starbucks does not! Furthermore when it comes to their drink sizes both companies follow the standard drink sizes of small, medium , large, and extra large drinks but Starbucks has a special name for their sizing, which are given the names tall, grande, venti, and Trenta. Dutch Bros also offers energy drinks made with Redbull. Their Redbull drinks also happen to be as customizable as their coffees. Starbucks does carry energy drinks but not any that are specific to their menu, they are canned energy drinks that are branded as a clean type of energy. Other than that, Starbucks sells any basic coffee imaginable along with matcha which is a drink that Dutch Bros does not carry. The Starbucks menu offers a wide variety of sandwiches and sweets, so it is possible to turn your Starbucks run into a lunch run! Unfortunately, that is not possible with Dutch bros because they only have around four sweets to offer and no sandwiches. Once you get your drink, Starbucks has a sticky note on the side with your exact order, name, and items that you purchased unlike Dutch Bros, you will get your drink in a standard cup with a colored straw.

BARISTAS

The way you are greeted in any place is very important! Especially if that place wants you to feel welcomed and comfortable. Dutch Bros and Starbucks both have a policy that requires their workers to greet their customers. As soon as you step into any Starbucks, the workers have to welcome you in or acknowledge you from the counter, same goes for when you leave, they need to acknowledge that you are exiting their building. A Dutch Bros barista/employee also needs to greet you, and even after they have taken your order they are encouraged to keep the conversation going until you get your drink. So, a more social person would perhaps want to go to Dutch Bros due to their very friendly and outgoing baristas, whereas a more introverted person who keeps to themselves would perhaps prefer a starbucks where they can just easily walk away and wait for their drink! I have noticed that there is less interaction when going to a Starbucks, when I go to a Dutch Bros it feels like I have to have a conversation with the people taking the order or when I am at the window.

APPS

Both Dutch Bros and Starbucks have their very own apps where you can easily download them on your cellular device. These apps were made to encourage the customer to visit the shops more often by sending daily or weekly reminders of any special that is happening that day or week. The Dutch Bros app is more colorful too and can be customized, compared to the Starbucks app which just sticks to a simple green theme. Sometimes, they even throw in points that can be added to their points system that will eventually get you a free drink! So, it is a fun way to earn and spend. But, for Dutch Bros, it is much easier to rack up points compared to Starbucks. Starbucks tends to be more stingy with the amount of points one drink gets you, or in order to earn those extra points you need to visit and buy a drink/ food multiple times a week before actually getting the points. Dutch Bros usually gives you extra points just by simply buying one drink, and sometimes they even give out fun little trinkets and stickers just by simply buying one drink! In hindsight, the Dutch Bros app requires less money spent, while it takes awhile to actually earn a free drink in the Starbucks app.

SETTING

When going to a Starbucks, you have the option of ordering inside the actual starbucks or going through the drive thru. If you decide to go through the drive thru you will have to order through a voice box and meet the worker up on the next window just like any basic drive through, they also have their menu next to the voice box along with prices but, if ordering inside is more your style, you walk into a modern cozy setting with low lighting and walk up to the register and order. When paying with a card, they have a little pin pad where the tip question comes up first and then it allows you to pay. The employees only job is to take your order, for the most part if you are not having trouble paying they will have no idea if you even tip or wont take your card to pay. Then, you can take a seat in any area they have while you wait for your drink! Unlike Starbucks, Dutch Bros is strictly only a drive thru, so it is not like you can get off and order inside because there is no inside! But, if you really want to get off your car you can get off and order through a window that is placed outside. Sometimes, they even have a bench where you can sit and wait, but they tend to serve their customers faster since they have a line of cars to go through. If you decide to stay in your car and go through their drive thru, the employee comes up to your window to take your order, sometimes you do not have the menu in front of you so you need to know what you are going to want to order beforehand. The employee takes your order on a tablet, and when you pay they ask you about a tip upfront, sometimes they give you privacy while other times they straight up ask you about a tip, which can be uncomfortable sometimes and put people in awkward situations. If you pay with a card they will allow you to pay right then and there, but if you pay with cash they often send you to the window to complete the payment, that is if they do not have any money on them.

AVAILABILITY

While Starbucks is available nationwide and can be found anywhere, even in other countries, Dutch Bros is mainly found on the West Coast and has some locations around Florida but not in the states more towards the center, and you will definitely not find a Dutch Bros location in another country. So, if you are craving Dutch Bros but you are out of the United States you are doomed! Also, Dutch Bros generally opens at 5am and closes at 11pm, while Starbucks opens a little earlier, at 4am but closes at 9:30, on Sundays it opens at 4:30am. It is great availability hours for those here in the Tri-Cities.

MERCH

Both Dutch Bros and Starbucks have their own brand merch you can buy! Both companies offer cups you can drink out of, but Starbucks tends to partner up with other brands for their cups, such as hello kitty! They also have their own designs, which you can take a look at online or any store. At any location you visit, they will have their own stand with their available cups that range from mugs, Stanley's, or just ones that you can sip out of with a straw. Dutch Bros has similar merch but they do not tend to collaborate with other companies and they also sell hoodies and hats. When it comes to buying their merch, you oftentimes have to buy it online because they do not always have it available in their in person locations.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Each company has a different vibe, oftentimes if you take a look at Dutch Bros they make it colorful and fun, which leads to a younger audience, while Starbucks tends to stick to a more mature vibe, leading to more older customers.

All in all, if you want a good coffee both companies are a great option! But, if you want something more fun or perhaps even an energy drink, Dutch Bros might be a better option for you, while if you want anything coffee related that will fill you up, Starbucks will easily meet your standards!