Dutch Bros Inc.
For the period ended Mar 31, 2025. Filed May 8, 2025.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Mar 31, 2025 · Filed May 8, 2025
BROS$36.01+6.6%Stored close · as of Nov 9, 2026
What changed in Risk Factors?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-Q
Period ended 2024-09-30; filed 2024-11-07.
0001866581-24-000306
Item 1A. Risk FactorsUnregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of ProceedsDefaults Upon Senior SecuritiesMine Safety DisclosureCurrent report: 10-Q
Period ended 2025-03-31; filed 2025-05-08.
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ITEM 1A. Risk FactorsThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
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A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (8)
Current report
Except for the items noted below, there have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of our 2024 Form 10-K. The risk factors described in our 2024 Form 10-K, as well as other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, and should be carefully considered. The risks and uncertainties that we face, however, are not limited to those described in the 2024 Form 10-K. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also adversely affect our business and the trading price of our Class A common stock.
Current report
The recent announcements of substantial new U.S. tariffs and other restrictive trade policies have created a dynamic and unpredictable trade landscape, which may adversely impact our business.
Current report
Current or future tariffs or other restrictive trade measures may raise the costs of our imported green coffee beans and other goods, which may adversely impact our product offerings, operational expenses, and construction costs. Such cost increases may reduce our margins and require us to increase prices, which could harm our competitive position, reduce customer demand, and damage customer relationships. Our suppliers and distribution channels are also affected by the current trade environment, and we and they may experience supply chain disruptions as a result of increased costs and uncertainty, as well as risks to the long-term viability of key suppliers, which may impact our ability to meet customer demand or manage inventory efficiently. Tariff and other trade-related cost pressures and supply chain disruptions may lead to reputational harm if we are unable to supply our shops with sufficient products or supply products on expected timelines, or if any price increases are poorly received by customers. In addition, evolving trade policies, including tariffs and trade restrictions, may decrease consumer discretionary spending and result in decreased demand for our products.
Current report
Trade disputes, trade restrictions, tariffs and other political tensions between the U.S. and other countries may also exacerbate unfavorable macroeconomic conditions including inflationary pressures, foreign exchange volatility, financial market instability, and economic recessions or downturns, which may also necessitate pricing actions and result in a negative impact on customer demand for our products, limit expansion opportunities, limit our access to capital, or otherwise negatively impact our business and operations. Ongoing tariff, trade restrictions and macroeconomic uncertainty may contribute to volatility in the price of our Class A common stock.
Current report
Ongoing uncertainty regarding trade policies may also complicate our short- and long-term strategic planning, and that of our suppliers and distributors, including decisions regarding hiring, product strategy, capital investment, supply chain design, and geographic expansion.
Current report
We may be unable to identify all potential allergens present in our products at the time of purchase, whether they may have been introduced by us or by our third party vendors. This could result in the inability of some customers to purchase our products, or could result in negative health consequences for individuals sensitive to such allergens who choose to purchase our products regardless. A potentially serious allergic reaction to our products may result in negative public perception and could harm our business and results of operations.
Current report
In addition, social media has contributed to an increase in “secret menu” style drinks that are not created or marketed by us. Such drinks can be ordered by customers, for example, by asking for specific combinations of flavors or ingredients. We have no control over such trends, may not become timely aware of them, and may be unable to provide nutritional information for them. Such trends may also result in the mixture of ingredients in ways that could be perceived negatively, including with regard to health effects, and such perception could harm our business.
Removed paragraphs (360)
Previous report
Below is a summary of the principal factors that make an investment in our Class A common stock speculative or risky. This summary does not address all of the risks that we face. Additional discussion of the risks summarized in this summary, and other risks that we face, can be found below under the heading “Risk Factors” and should be carefully considered, together with other information in this Form 10-Q and our other filings with the SEC before making investment decisions regarding our Class A common stock.
Previous report
•Evolving consumer preferences and tastes or changes in consumer spending may adversely affect our business.
Previous report
•Our financial condition and quarterly results of operations are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, a number of factors, many of which are also largely outside our control and as such our results may fluctuate significantly and may not fully reflect the underlying performance of our business.
Previous report
•We may not be able to compete successfully with other shops, QSRs and convenience shops, including the growing number of coffee delivery options. Intense competition in the food service and restaurant industry could make it more difficult to expand our business and could also have a negative impact on our operating results if customers favor our competitors.
Previous report
•Our failure to manage our growth effectively could harm our business and operating results.
Previous report
•Our inability to identify, recruit, and retain qualified individuals for our shops could slow our growth and adversely impact our ability to operate.
Previous report
•Our shops are geographically concentrated in the Western United States, and we could be negatively affected by conditions specific to that region.
Previous report
•Interruption of our supply chain of coffee, flavored syrups or other ingredients, coffee machines and other restaurant equipment or packaging could affect our ability to produce or deliver our products and could negatively impact our business and profitability.
Previous report
•Increases or sustained inflation in the cost of high-quality arabica coffee beans, dairy, or other commodities or decreases in the availability of high-quality arabica coffee beans, dairy, or other commodities could have an adverse impact on our business and financial results.
Previous report
•Our success depends substantially on the value of our brand and failure to preserve its value could have a negative impact on our financial results.
Previous report
•Food safety and quality concerns may negatively impact our brand, business, and profitability, our internal operational controls and standards may not always be met and our employees may not always act professionally, responsibly and in our and our customers’ best interests. Any possible instances or reports, whether true or not, of food and/or beverage-borne illness could reduce our sales.
Previous report
•Changes in the availability of and the cost of labor could harm our business.
Previous report
•Our culture has contributed to our success, and if we cannot maintain this culture as we grow, we could lose the high employee engagement fostered by our culture, which could harm our business.
Previous report
•Our Co-Founder continues to have significant influence over us, which could limit your ability to influence the outcome of matters submitted to stockholders for a vote.
Previous report
•We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange rules and, as a result, qualify for, and may rely on, exemptions and relief from certain corporate governance requirements. You do not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to such requirements.
Previous report
•Our growth strategy depends in part on opening new shops in existing and new markets. We may be unsuccessful in opening new shops or establishing new markets, which could adversely affect our growth.
Previous report
•Our operating results and growth strategies are closely tied to the success of our franchise partners, and we have limited control with respect to their operations. Additionally, our franchise partners’ interests may conflict or diverge with our interests in the future, which could have a negative impact on our business.
Previous report
•We have previously identified and remediated material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to maintain effective internal controls, we may be unable to produce timely and accurate financial statements, and we may conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective, which could adversely impact our investors’ confidence and our Class A common stock price.
Previous report
You should carefully consider the risks described below in addition to the other information set forth in this Form 10-Q, including “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk,” our consolidated financial statements and related notes in this Form 10-Q, before making an investment decision. If any of the risks and uncertainties described below occur, it could have a material adverse impact on our business, reputation, financial position, results of operations or cash flows, and the trading price of our Class A common stock. Although it is not possible to predict or identify all such risks and uncertainties, they may include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed below. The risks described herein are not the only risks we may face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may become material and adversely affect our business, reputation, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, or the trading price of our Class A common stock. The risks relating to our business set forth in our 2023 Form 10-K, are set forth below and are unchanged substantively as of the date of this filing, except for those risks designated by an asterisk (*).
Previous report
Evolving consumer preferences and tastes or changes in consumer spending may adversely affect our business.
Previous report
Dutch Bros’ continued success depends on our ability to attract and retain customers. Our financial results could be adversely affected by a shift in consumer spending away from outside-the-home beverages, decreases in general discretionary consumer spending (including due to higher gas prices, inflation or lack of consumer confidence), lack of customer acceptance of new products (including due to price increases necessary to cover the costs of new beverages or higher input costs), brand perception (such as the existence or expansion of our competitors), platforms (such as features of our mobile application and changes in our loyalty rewards programs and initiatives), a reduction in individual car ownership, which in turn may reduce the usefulness and convenience of our drive-thru shops, or customers reducing their demand for our current offerings as new beverages are introduced. We may not be successful in introducing new products or new features to our mobile application that are adopted by our customers. Experimentation with and implementation of innovations in products and technologies may result in inefficiencies, such as a slowdown in our shop operations and traffic flow, disruption of workflows, technical glitches, disruption of current systems and technology, and negative customer experiences.
Previous report
In addition, most of our beverages contain sugar, caffeine, dairy products, and other compounds, such as taurine and artificial coloring, the health effects of which are the subject of public and regulatory scrutiny, including the suggestion of linkages to a variety of adverse health effects. There is increasing consumer awareness of health risks that are attributed to ingredients we use, particularly in the United States, including obesity, increased blood pressure and heart rate, anxiety and insomnia, as well as increased consumer litigation based on alleged adverse health impacts attributed to the consumption of various food and beverage products. While we offer alternatives, including reduced sugar and sugar-free items, negative publicity or an unfavorable perception of the health effects of sugar, caffeine, or other ingredients in our products could significantly reduce the demand for our beverages and could harm our business.
Previous report
*Our financial condition and results of operations are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, a number of factors, many of which are also largely outside our control.
Previous report
Our results of operations will be subject to a number of factors and may vary significantly in the future as they have in the past, many of which are outside of our control, and may not fully reflect the underlying performance of our business. Factors that may cause fluctuations in our results of operations and key metrics include, without limitation, those listed elsewhere in this Risk Factors section and those listed below. Any one or more of the factors listed below or described elsewhere in this section could harm our business:
Previous report
•increases in real estate or labor costs in certain markets, which we have recently experienced;
Previous report
•the impact of shortages or inflation on our cost of goods or labor, including construction labor, which we have recently seen;
Previous report
•changes in governmental laws and rules, including those regarding minimum wage, and approaches to taxation;
Previous report
•severe weather or other natural or man-made disasters affecting a large market or several closely located markets that may temporarily but significantly affect our business in such markets, including the price or availability of goods;
Previous report
•labor discord or disruption, geopolitical events, social unrest, war, including repercussions of the war between Russia and Ukraine or the war between Israel and Hamas and the related risk of a larger regional conflict, terrorism, political instability or uncertainty, including the US presidential election, acts of public violence, boycotts, hostilities and social unrest, or resurgence of or new epidemics; and
Previous report
Our marketing programs may not be successful, and our new menu items and advertising campaigns may not generate increased revenues or profits.
Previous report
We incur costs and expend resources in our marketing efforts on new menu items and advertising campaigns to raise brand awareness and attract and retain customers. For example, we engaged in 2023 in new marketing efforts, including “Fill-a-Tray” promotions. These initiatives may not be successful, resulting in expenses incurred without the benefit of higher revenue. Additionally, some of our competitors have substantially greater financial resources than we do, which enable them to spend significantly more on marketing, advertising, pricing and other initiatives. Should our competitors increase spending on marketing and advertising and other initiatives or our marketing funds decrease for any reason, or should our advertising, promotions and new menu items fail to reach our customers effectively and efficiently, for example if our marketing efforts do not continue to appeal to our current customers or are perceived negatively, there could be an adverse effect on our revenues and profits could decrease.
Previous report
We may not be able to compete successfully with other coffee shops, QSRs, and convenience shops, including the growing number of coffee delivery options. Intense competition in the food service and restaurant industry could make it more difficult to expand our business and could also have a negative impact on our operating results if customers favor our competitors.
Previous report
The food service and restaurant industry is intensely competitive. We expect competition in this market to continue to be intense as we compete on a variety of fronts, including convenience, taste, price, quality, service, and location. If our company-operated and franchised shops cannot compete successfully with other beverage and coffee shops, including Dunkin’, CosMc’s, Starbucks, other specialty coffee shops, drive-thru QSRs, and the growing number of coffee delivery options in new and existing markets, we could lose customers and our revenue could decline. Our company-operated and franchised shops compete with national, regional, and local coffee chains, QSRs, and convenience shops for customers, shop locations, and qualified management and other staff. Compared to us, some of our competitors have been in business longer, have greater brand recognition, or are better established in the markets where our shops are located or are planned to be located. In some markets that we may grow into, there are already well-funded competitors in the drive-thru coffee or beverage business that may challenge our ability to grow into those regions. Certain markets may limit the number of drive-thru businesses operating within their geographic region, which could negatively affect our ability to grow into those markets. Some of our competitors have substantially greater financial and other resources to devote to innovation in products, technology, and market and consumer data analytics, including integration, use, or offering of new technologies, including artificial intelligence. We may be unable to offer new or innovative products and technologies to our customers that are offered by our competitors, or there may be a delay in our ability to innovate or implement new technologies. Any of these competitive factors may harm our business.
Previous report
Additionally, if our competitors begin to evolve their business strategies and adopt aspects of the Dutch Bros business model, such as our drive-thru convenience, digital ordering, and similar product offerings or branding, our customers may be drawn to those competitors for their beverage needs and our business could be harmed.
Previous report
*Our strategic initiatives and growth strategy may be unsuccessful which could adversely affect our business and financial results.
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Reworded paragraphs (4)
Previous wording
Legislation and regulations requiring the display and provision of nutritional information for our menu offerings, and new information or attitudes regarding diet and health or adverse opinions about the health effects of consuming our menu offerings, could affect consumer preferences and negatively impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Current wording
Legislation and regulations requiring the display and provision of nutritional information for our menu offerings, and new information, attitudes, or regulations regarding additives, diet and health or adverse opinions about the health effects of consuming our menu offerings, could affect consumer preferences and negatively impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Previous wording
Government regulation and customer consumption habits may impact our business as a result of changes in attitudes regarding diet and health or new information regarding the health effects of consuming our menu offerings. These changes have resulted in, and may continue to result in, the enactment of laws and regulations that impact the ingredients and nutritional content of our menu offerings, or laws and regulations requiring us to disclose the nutritional content of our food offerings.
Current wording
Government regulation and customer consumption habits may impact our business as a result of changes in attitudes regarding diet and health (including use of weight-loss or appetite-suppressing drugs) or new information regarding the health effects of consuming our menu offerings. These changes have resulted in, and may continue to result in, the enactment of laws and regulations that impact the ingredients and nutritional content of our menu offerings, or laws and regulations requiring us to disclose the nutritional content of our food offerings.
Previous wording
For example, a number of states, counties, and cities have enacted menu labeling laws requiring multi-unit restaurant operators to disclose certain nutritional information to customers, or have enacted legislation restricting the use of certain types of ingredients in food sold at restaurants. Furthermore, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (the PPACA) establishes a uniform, federal requirement for certain restaurants to post certain nutritional information on their menus. Specifically, the PPACA amended the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to require certain chain restaurants to publish the total number of calories of standard menu items on menus and menu boards, along with a statement that puts this calorie information in the context of a total daily calorie intake. The PPACA also requires covered restaurants to provide to consumers, upon request, a written summary of detailed nutritional information for each standard menu item, and to provide a statement on menus and menu boards about the availability of this information. The PPACA further permits the Food and Drug Administration to require covered restaurants to make additional nutrient disclosures, such as disclosure of trans-fat content. An unfavorable report on, or reaction to, our menu ingredients, the size of our portions or the nutritional content of our menu items could negatively influence the demand for our offerings.
Current wording
For example, a number of states, counties, and cities have enacted menu labeling laws requiring multi-unit restaurant operators to disclose certain nutritional information to customers, or have enacted legislation restricting the use of certain types of ingredients in food sold at restaurants. Furthermore, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (the PPACA) establishes a uniform, federal requirement for certain restaurants to post certain nutritional information on their menus. Specifically, the PPACA amended the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to require certain chain restaurants to publish the total number of calories of standard menu items on menus and menu boards, along with a statement that puts this calorie information in the context of a total daily calorie intake. The PPACA also requires covered restaurants to provide to consumers, upon request, a written summary of detailed nutritional information for each standard menu item, and to provide a statement on menus and menu boards about the availability of this information. The PPACA further permits the Food and Drug Administration to require covered restaurants to make additional nutrient disclosures, such as disclosure of trans-fat content. More recently, U.S. regulatory authorities, including the Food and Drug Administration, have indicated their intent to restrict or prohibit the use of certain food dyes currently permitted for lawful use in the food supply. Should such regulatory change affect the ingredients currently used in our products and we are unable to identify or secure comparable and cost-effective alternative ingredients, such change could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position. An unfavorable report on, or reaction to, our current or future menu ingredients, the size of our portions, or the nutritional content of our menu items could negatively influence the demand for our offerings.
Previous wording
We cannot make any assurances regarding our ability to effectively respond to changes in customer health perceptions or our ability to successfully implement the nutrient content disclosure requirements and to adapt our menu offerings to trends in drinking and consumption habits. The imposition of menu-labeling laws could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position, as well as the food service and restaurant industry in general.
Current wording
We cannot make any assurances regarding our ability to effectively respond to changes in customer health perceptions or our ability to successfully implement nutrient content disclosure requirements or other resulting regulations, including potential regulations around the use of certain ingredients, dyes, or other additives, or to adapt our menu offerings to trends in drinking and consumption habits. The imposition of menu-labeling laws, additional restrictions on certain food additives, and such other regulations could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position, as well as the food service and restaurant industry in general.