Dutch Bros Coffee opened its first location in Buffalo Grove on Wednesday, drawing a crowd of enthusiastic customers, some of whom arrived the night before to be among the first to order. Located in The Clove, a mixed-use development at the intersection of Lake-Cook and McHenry roads, the new coffee shop took over a space formerly occupied by Burger King.

The anticipation for the grand opening was evident early on, with more than 20 cars lined up in the drive-through lane by 5 a.m., along with customers gathered outside the entrance. Some patrons documented their wait on social media, posting updates on TikTok starting at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Among the early visitors was Monica Orozco, who joined the opening day crowd with family and friends. She noted that her children were eager to participate, saying she had seen online that the location would open at 5 a.m. and decided to bring them along to wait.

The company’s Chicago-area business coach, Allie Lahti, described Dutch Bros as a “people-first coffee business,” emphasizing the customer experience beyond simply serving coffee. Staff members, known as “mobsters,” engaged directly with guests, while designated “line busters” took orders from customers in vehicles to help maintain the flow.

The menu offers a variety of specialty coffee drinks, including the Golden Eagle, which combines vanilla and caramel flavors, and the Cocomo, a coconut mocha blend. In addition to coffee, patrons can choose from fruit-based beverages, teas, lemonades, and sugar-free options. Food items are also available.

Dutch Bros Coffee originated in Oregon and has expanded to more than 1,200 locations nationwide. With this new opening in Buffalo Grove, the company is continuing its expansion into the Chicago market. Lahti expressed optimism about the future growth opportunities in the area.