Yahoo Finance·2025-10-12 09:45Core Insights - Dutch Bros is diversifying its menu, with 25% of its 2024 sales coming from hand-mixed Rebel energy drinks, which are growing faster than hot coffee sales [1] - The company operates small coffee shops with minimal dine-in facilities, leading to faster store construction and lower operational costs [1] - Dutch Bros has experienced a significant stock decline of over 27% in the last month, while year-to-date performance shows declines of 9% for Dutch Bros and 10.9% for Starbucks, contrasting with a 14.2% gain in the S&P 500 [5] Dutch Bros Overview - The company aims to create a friendly customer experience through its "Broistas," primarily serving drinks at drive-through windows [2] - Dutch Bros has the potential for significant growth, with an average annual return of 14.3% over nearly three decades, although past performance does not guarantee future results [2][6] - The company is positioned differently from Starbucks, which is seen as a mature business with limited long-term growth prospects [4] Starbucks Challenges - Starbucks has struggled with stock performance, down slightly over the past six years, while the S&P 500 has more than doubled [7] - The company has faced challenges in expanding its international business, particularly in China, and has relied heavily on price increases for growth, which is no longer sustainable [8] - Starbucks' customer experience has become more transactional, leading to pressure on margins and stagnating growth [9] Strategic Moves by Starbucks - Starbucks is undergoing a transformation under CEO Brian Niccol, focusing on improving store quality rather than expanding the number of locations [12][13] - The company plans to renovate 1,000 existing stores and eliminate 900 non-retail partner roles, signaling a shift from growth mode to stabilization [12][13] - Despite challenges, Starbucks remains a strong brand with a recent dividend increase, indicating potential for long-term investment [15][16]