Scooter's Coffee
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Coffeehouse |
| Founded | January 1, 1998 in Bellevue, Nebraska, United States |
| Founder | Don Eckles, Linda Eckles |
| Headquarters | Omaha , United States |
Area served | 29 U.S. states |
Key people | Joe Thornton (CEO), John Owen (COO) |
| Products | Coffee, tea, smoothies, pastries, burritos, sandwiches, breakfast menu, children's menu |
| Website | www |
Scooter's Coffee is a U.S.-based drive-thru coffeehouse chain with its headquarters located in Omaha, Nebraska. By June 2024, the brand operated 800 franchised outlets in 29 states, making it the second-largest drive-thru coffee chain and the fifth-largest overall coffee chain nationwide.
Overview
The company expands primarily through a franchise model, with many stores designed exclusively for drive-thru service featuring uniform buildings approximately in size. Its coffee supply is provided by Harvest Roasting, a partner company founded concurrently with Scooter's Coffee.
The menu includes a variety of hot and cold drinks such as coffee, tea, and smoothies, alongside food items including pastries, burritos, and sandwiches. Additionally, there are dedicated breakfast and children's menus. The Caramelicious—a caramel sauce and whipped cream-topped espresso beverage—stands out as the brand’s hallmark offering.
History
Scooter's Coffee was established in 1998 in Bellevue, Nebraska by Don and Linda Eckles. In November 2023, Joe Thornton took on the role of chief executive officer, steering the company’s growth strategy. John Owen joined as chief operating officer in January 2024, bringing valuable leadership experience from his tenure at McDonald's and Subway to enhance operational efficiency.
The company embarked on an aggressive growth plan starting in 2021, aiming to reach 1,000 stores by the close of 2024. Between August 2021 and 2022, the store count rose by 25%, hitting 500 locations by December 2022. The milestone of the 700th store opening was reached in October 2023, followed by the 750th in December of the same year. After launching the 800th store in June 2024—delayed by six months—the company adjusted its initial expansion goals.
To support this rapid growth, February 2024 saw the inauguration of its sixth distribution hub: a 183,000-square-foot facility in Whitestown, Indiana, intended to supply up to 300 stores throughout the Midwest region.
Locations
By July 2024, Scooter's Coffee operated more than 800 outlets across 29 states, solidifying its status as the nation’s second-largest drive-thru coffee chain after Dutch Bros. Coffee. This extensive presence reflects its increasing market penetration and competitive positioning within the drive-through coffee segment.
Promotional activity
Starting in 2023, Scooter's Coffee has been a sponsor of the Frisco Bowl, an annual NCAA Division I FBS postseason college football event held in Frisco, Texas, boosting brand recognition and market reach.