The Arkansas Story: A Coffee Revolution Begins
In the heart of Rogers, Arkansas, what started as a simple drive-thru coffee stand in 2017 has transformed into one of America’s fastest-growing restaurant chains. 7 Brew Coffee, originally offering seven signature coffee options that gave the brand its name, has become a phenomenon that is redefining the drive-thru experience across the South and beyond.
Founded by John and Jenna Ramsey, 7 Brew began with a clear mission: to turn the mundane drive-thru coffee experience into something joyful and memorable. The company’s original seven drinks included the Blondie (caramel and vanilla breve), Brunette (hazelnut and caramel mocha), and the Triple 7 (their Smooth 7 blend with six espresso shots). What set them apart from the beginning was not just their coffee, but their commitment to what they call “cultivating kindness” – treating every customer interaction as an opportunity to spread joy.
The company is now headquartered in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and operates under the parent company Brew Culture LLC. Under the leadership of CEO John Davidson since 2020, 7 Brew has experienced explosive growth that few restaurant chains can match. From just fourteen locations at the start of 2022, the company has expanded to over 320 locations across more than twenty-five states by 2025.
Arkansas: The Home Base Advantage
Arkansas remains the birthplace and testing ground for 7 Brew’s innovative approach to drive-thru service. The state currently hosts nineteen locations, including stands in Little Rock, North Little Rock, and various smaller communities. These Arkansas locations serve as more than just coffee shops – they are laboratories for the brand’s customer experience innovations and training grounds for what the company calls its “Brew Crew.”
The Arkansas locations highlight 7 Brew’s unique operational model: prefabricated modular buildings with double drive-thru lanes, no indoor seating, and employees who take orders outside with iPads rather than through traditional drive-thru speakers. This approach allows for more personal interactions and faster service, with most locations operating from 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM (11:00 PM on weekends).
Financial data reveals the success of this model. According to the company’s franchise disclosure documents, 7 Brew locations generate median gross sales of approximately $2.06 million annually, with some high-performing locations exceeding this figure significantly. The Arkansas locations, benefiting from brand loyalty in the company’s home state, often serve as benchmarks for performance metrics.
Louisiana: A Strategic Expansion Market
7 Brew’s expansion into Louisiana represents a significant milestone in the company’s growth strategy. The Pelican State has become one of the most important markets for the brand’s continued expansion, with multiple locations already operational and several more in development.
Current Louisiana Footprint:
Louisiana is home to nine locations, strategically positioned across key metropolitan and regional markets:
Greater New Orleans Area:
- Metairie: 7100 Veterans Memorial Boulevard, near I-10 and Clearview City Center
- Chalmette: 8111 W Judge Perez Drive, across from St. Bernard Parish Hospital – the first 7 Brew to open in the New Orleans metro area in January 2025
- Harvey: 1635 Barataria Boulevard, opened with a ribbon-cutting on August 29, 2025
- LaPlace: 1421 W Airline Highway, opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in July 2025
Baton Rouge Area:
- Baton Rouge (2 locations): 5117 Essen Lane near BREC Olympia Stadium, and 5821 Creek Centre Drive near LSU
North Louisiana:
- Bossier City: Located on Airline Drive, convenient to Barksdale Air Force Base
- Ruston: 1110 Cooktown Road, across from Louisiana Tech University
- Natchitoches: Kyser Avenue just east of the Cane River bridge
Louisiana Growth Strategy:
Louisiana’s selection as a key expansion market was not accidental. The state’s coffee culture, combined with its drive-thru friendly climate and growing suburban population, makes it ideal for 7 Brew’s business model. According to regional manager Landon Evans, who oversees east Texas and western Louisiana operations, the company has identified Louisiana as a market with significant untapped potential.
The Louisiana expansion is being managed through franchise partnerships, including the Brew Crew franchise group, which holds rights to develop over fifty locations across Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Texas. Each new Louisiana location brings 50-65 jobs to the local community, contributing to the state’s economic development. The brand now has over two hundred jobs in the New Orleans metro area alone.
The 7 Brew Experience: What Sets Them Apart
Menu Innovation: What began with seven coffee options has evolved into a menu boasting over 20,000 possible drink combinations. Louisiana customers can choose from:
- Traditional espresso-based coffee drinks
- Custom energy drinks (including 7 Brew’s proprietary energy blend)
- Smoothies and shakes
- Specialty teas and Italian sodas
- Flavored lemonades and 7 Fizz (sparkling water infusions)
Service Philosophy: The company’s “Cultivate Kindness” motto is not just marketing – it is embedded in their operational DNA. Employees, known as the “Brew Crew,” are trained to create positive interactions that go beyond typical fast-food service. This approach has resonated particularly well in Louisiana, where hospitality is deeply valued.
Technology and Efficiency: 7 Brew locations use iPads for order-taking, allowing employees to engage face-to-face with customers while maintaining speed. The double drive-through lanes and prefabricated building design enable high-volume service without sacrificing quality.
Financial Performance and Investment
The company’s financial trajectory has been remarkable. 7 Brew reported total revenues of $43.5 million in 2024, up from $15.4 million in 2023 and just $4.1 million in 2022. This growth attracted significant investment from Blackstone Growth, which made a major growth equity investment in 2024 to accelerate the company’s expansion plans.
The investment has proven prescient, as 7 Brew has been recognized by QSR Magazine as the “Breakout Brand of 2023” and was deemed the fastest-growing restaurant chain in America by research company Datassential. The brand’s rapid expansion has been accompanied by strong unit economics, with franchise locations requiring investments between $887,000 and $1.85 million.
Community Impact and Corporate Culture
In both Arkansas and Louisiana, 7 Brew has made community engagement a priority. The company regularly partners with local organizations and schools and has established the “7 Brew Heroes” program, which recognizes community members who exemplify kindness and service. Monthly winners receive $500 and free coffee for a year, with an annual grand prize winner receiving $10,000.
This community focus has been particularly important in Louisiana, where local connections and community support drive business success. The brand’s emphasis on treating “people like people” and creating genuine connections has helped it establish strong footholds in Louisiana markets.
Future Outlook: Continued Growth Plans
Looking ahead, both Arkansas and Louisiana are positioned for continued 7 Brew expansion. The company has contracted to potentially open as many as 3,500 locations domestically, with significant growth planned for the South and Midwest regions.
For Louisiana specifically, industry observers expect continued expansion into markets like Shreveport, Lafayette, and Lake Charles. The state’s geography and demographics make it an ideal testing ground for 7 Brew’s rural and suburban expansion strategies.
Arkansas, meanwhile, will see densification of existing markets and expansion into smaller communities that fit the brand’s operational model. The state’s role as the company’s home base ensures it will continue to receive priority for new concept testing and operational innovations.
Bottom Line
7 Brew has cracked the code on drive-thru coffee by combining genuine hospitality with operational efficiency. Starting from humble Arkansas roots in 2017, the company has achieved extraordinary 2,100% growth since 2022, generating $43.5 million in revenue while maintaining strong unit economics with locations averaging over $2 million in annual sales.
Arkansas remains the innovation hub where 7 Brew perfects its “Cultivate Kindness” culture, while Louisiana serves as the proving ground for scalable expansion across the South. With Blackstone’s investment backing and contracts for up to 3,500 domestic locations, 7 Brew is positioned to reshape the drive-thru coffee landscape.
The company’s success formula is straightforward: treat customers like people, not transactions, while delivering consistent quality at speed. For Arkansas and Louisiana, this means continued economic impact through job creation, community engagement, and a homegrown success story that is becoming a national phenomenon.
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