The skies were blue with a chill in the air when the rapidly growing drive-thru beverage chain 7 Brew officially opened its Vadnais Heights location on Monday, Mar. 6. This marked another step in its expansion across the Twin Cities. The Arkansas-based company, founded in 2017, has quickly built a reputation for fast service as a popular drink destination. Located just off Highway 35E near a busy strip mall with a Target, Chipotle, CherryBerry and Marshalls, the new store has brought heavier traffic, long lines and plenty of excitement to the area.
Even before its official opening, the excitement was hard to miss. During preopening events, cars backed up down Country Road E, with traffic stretching far beyond the intersection. Music blasted from vehicles, horns sounded and despite rain clouds overhead, both customers and employees brought a high-energy atmosphere. Workers in bright neon vests ran along the line of cars holding signs, while police stepped in to help direct traffic as the backup began blocking stoplights. At one point, Apple Maps showed the road marked in red, indicating heavy traffic in the area.
Much of the buzz came from the company’s soft-opening events at the end of March, during which 7 Brew offered free drinks while accepting donations for Gillette Children’s Hospital. Over the course of a weekend, the store served more than 10,000 drinks, so many that it ran out of supplies by Saturday afternoon. Still, employees stayed upbeat, handing out flyers and inviting customers back for an additional free small-drink event the following weekend, before opening day. The turnout highlighted just how quickly the brand has captured local attention.
7 Brew’s appeal goes further than the opening hype. The two-lane drive-thru is designed to handle large crowds, and although the company does not offer indoor seating, it is designed to operate only as a drive-thru. The menu features more than 20,000 possible flavor combinations. Customers can choose from coffee, energy drinks, sodas, teas, lemonades, smoothies and shakes, all of which can be customized to fit personal tastes.
Its fast popularity also reflects a broader trend. Beverage chains like Dutch Bros and Scooters Coffee, as well as local brands such as Sota and Bevvie, have gained popularity largely through social media. Where platforms like TikTok and Instagram are filled with customers sharing drink reviews, colorful orders and unique custom combinations.
The online presence has helped attract customers to 7 Brew, especially younger audiences. The Vadnais Heights opening showed how online popularity can quickly translate into real-world demand.
The Vadnais Heights location is especially notable as the first in the Twin Cities, with the nearest existing store being all the way in St. Cloud. With more locations planned to be in Apple Valley, Minnetonka and Maplewood, the chain’s presence in the area is set to expand quickly across the area.
