TEMPE, Ariz. (Aug, 5, 2026) — Dutch Bros Coffee has reached an agreement to acquire the real estate and related site assets of up to 65 former Salad and Go locations across Arizona, Nevada, Oklahoma and Texas, a move that would significantly accelerate the company’s expansion into several of its fastest-growing markets.
The proposed transaction, valued at approximately $105 million, was disclosed Wednesday in bankruptcy court filings following Salad and Go’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. The agreement remains subject to approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and customary closing conditions before it can be finalized.
The acquisition comes just days after Salad and Go announced it would permanently close its remaining restaurants after years of financial challenges. The fast-casual chain, known for its affordable salads, wraps and breakfast offerings, had previously expanded rapidly across the Southwest but struggled amid rising labor and food costs, slowing consumer spending and increased competition in the restaurant industry.
According to court documents, Dutch Bros intends to convert the former Salad and Go properties into drive-thru coffee locations beginning in 2027. The existing sites already feature drive-thru infrastructure, utility connections and commercial development, allowing the company to reduce construction timelines and development costs compared with building new locations from the ground up.
The proposed purchase includes dozens of properties in Arizona and Nevada, along with additional locations in Oklahoma and Texas. Bankruptcy records indicate Dutch Bros has submitted a $10 million deposit toward the purchase price, with the remaining balance expected to be paid upon closing if the sale receives court approval.
The deal represents another step in Dutch Bros’ aggressive nationwide growth strategy. Founded in Grants Pass in 1992 by brothers Dane and Travis Boersma as a single pushcart espresso stand, the company has grown into one of the largest and fastest-growing drive-thru coffee chains in the United States.
Over the past several years, Dutch Bros has expanded well beyond its Pacific Northwest roots, opening stores throughout the Southwest, Mountain West, Midwest and Southeast. As of June 30, the company operated 1,225 locations across the country and has continued to target long-term expansion through both new construction and strategic real estate acquisitions.
Industry analysts have noted that acquiring existing drive-thru properties can significantly shorten development timelines by avoiding lengthy zoning, permitting and infrastructure work. Converting former restaurant locations also allows companies to enter established commercial corridors where suitable development sites can be difficult to obtain.
Salad and Go’s bankruptcy filing cited mounting financial pressures that ultimately made continued operations unsustainable. Court filings pointed to declining customer traffic, inflationary pressures affecting food and labor costs, and broader economic conditions that weighed on restaurant sales. The company also said an industrywide Cyclospora outbreak earlier this year, although not linked to Salad and Go, negatively affected consumer confidence in fresh produce and further impacted business.
If approved by the bankruptcy court, the acquisition is expected to close during the third quarter of 2026. Dutch Bros has indicated it expects the conversion of the former Salad and Go properties into coffee shops to begin in 2027, further expanding its presence in key Sun Belt markets.
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