Earlier this summer, Dutch Bros opened a new stand in Riverside that serves specialty drinks and raised concerns about traffic control.
The popular beverage spot serves more than just coffee. The extensive menu offers tea, lemonade, smoothies, shakes and their signature Rebel Energy Drink, all available to be combined with more than 20 flavored syrups.
Ashley Velasco, junior social work major, shared her favorite drink and why she loves Dutch Bros.
“My favorite drink is a strawberry horchata chai latte, you can never go wrong with that Dutch Bros drink,” Velasco said. “It is very delicious and perfect for the hot summer weather in California…”
Located less than 10 minutes away from California Baptist University, the location attracts both students and community members eager to see what the buzz is about. Regan Rodriguez, senior public health major, talked about her experience at the new location on Magnolia Avenue.
“Dutch Bros gets so busy cause it’s so popular and we don’t have any locations here… on Welcome Weekend, that stuff was insane.”
With endless options and rave reviews across social media, Dutch Bros solidified itself as a strong competitor in the drive-thru beverage market. It not only serves drinks, but also created connections with customers through friendly conversations and free promotions like monthly sticker drops.
The long lines sometimes spills out onto the street, which has affected nearby residents. The location has worked to address these concerns directly.
Ryan Macias, Dutch Bros barista, shared some of the issues residents raised as the new location settled into the neighborhood.
“A lot of the residents have voiced concerns with a lot of the parking areas, with a lot of workers and a lot of customers parking on their residential streets, but we completely stopped allowing that for any residential parking,” Macias said.
Despite concerns from residents, Dutch Bros employees have been proactive in redirecting parking and maintaining the flow of traffic to keep it safe and convenient.
“We were trained to have it extend … out towards Magnolia, going down the street and just to relieve congestion off the neighborhoods,” Macias said. “So we have it going out Magnolia and then we stop traffic once it reaches the turn lane and then we take orders once it reaches inside of our parking lot.”
As a popular franchise, new Dutch Bros stands across California are facing the same challenges. Their response remains the same: prioritizing customer comfort and safety while making a difference one cup at a time.
