7 Brew Coffee has proposed drive-thru locations in both Clovis and Visalia that could mark the chain’s California debut. 7 Brew photo
Two Central Valley cities are in the running to host what could be the first California locations of one of the nation’s fastest-growing coffee chains.
7 Brew Coffee, an Arkansas-based drive-thru chain, has filed development proposals in both Clovis and Visalia — part of a broader California push that also includes a proposal in Roseville. None of the locations have received final approval, and it remains unclear which would open first.
The Clovis proposal calls for a 910-square-foot stand with dual drive-thru lanes at the northeast corner of Shaw and Clovis avenues, between McDonald’s and El Pollo Loco. In Visalia, two locations have been proposed at 2800 N. Dinuba Blvd. and 3627 S. Mooney Blvd., according to published reports.
7 Brew did not respond to a request for comment about entering the Central Valley market.
A chain on the rise
Founded in Rogers, Arkansas in 2017, 7 Brew had just 14 locations at the start of 2022. It now operates more than 600 across 38 states — a 4,200% expansion in four years, according to the chain’s franchise disclosure document as reported by QSR Magazine.
The chain’s growth accelerated sharply in 2025, when it added 281 net locations — as many as the previous two years combined, according to the FDD. The brand has 437 new franchised outlets projected for 2026.
Per-store performance has kept pace with the expansion. Average annual sales per location reached $2.658 million in 2025, outpacing Dutch Bros at $2.16 million and Starbucks at $1.9 million on a per-store basis, according to QSR Magazine. Those figures cover 320 locations open for the full year.
The chain received a major equity investment from Blackstone in 2024 and acquired its second-largest franchisee, 7 Crew, in 2025, according to The California Post.
A city built for business
Clovis Business Development Manager Shawn Miller and Economic Development Director Chad McCollum say the city’s reputation as a business-friendly community is a major draw for new investment.
“Clovis is well known as being extremely business friendly and we work hard to attract businesses of all types to our area,” they said in a joint statement. “Our Economic Development Team supports these businesses from first phone call, all the way through until the ribbon cutting ceremony.”
With several coffee brands expanding into the Fresno-Clovis metro area, some may question whether the market can absorb more operators. Miller and McCollum say the chains themselves are often the best judges of demand.
“What we have learned is that these businesses who are looking to expand into Clovis often know as much or more about their target customer than we do,” they said. “They want to be where their customers are and they would not be expanding into our area, and would not be choosing Clovis, if they didn’t think they would make a profit from doing business here.”
Shaw Avenue corridor
The proposed 7 Brew site sits along Shaw Avenue, a commercial corridor that has seen growing development interest in recent years. Habit Burger, Chick-fil-A and Dutch Bros are among the brands slated for the area.
Dutch Bros, widely seen as 7 Brew’s chief competitor, has also been growing, with locations in Kerman, Sanger, northeast Fresno and the Loma Vista area of Clovis.
Miller and McCollum described Shaw Avenue as “a top-notch commercial district, offering food, goods, and services stretching from Willow Avenue all the way to Leonard Ave in Loma Vista.”
While coffee shops are common across the region, city officials note that business models vary widely — from quick drive-thru service to destinations built around specialty drinks, remote work or social gathering. 7 Brew’s format most closely resembles Dutch Bros, with a drive-thru-focused model and a menu featuring more than 20,000 drink combinations, according to The California Post.
Third spaces growing
Beyond coffee and quick service, Clovis is also attracting businesses centered on “third spaces” — social environments outside the home, workplace or school where people gather and build community.
Recent additions include Tilt’s, which features classic pinball machines, while Beer for the Meeples, Backyard Social Club and Crow & Wolf mix food and beverages with games, events and family activities. Boutique and large-scale fitness concepts have also expanded in recent years.
Bookstores have seen a resurgence as well. Barnes & Noble recently opened a Clovis location in a former Joann Fabrics store.
City leaders say the cumulative activity reflects something larger.
“We are extremely proud anytime an out-of-the-area restaurant or retailer chooses to expand into Clovis,” Miller and McCollum said. “It confirms what we already know — Clovis is a fantastic place to do business.”