Yahoo Finance Another Starbucks is coming to Manatee County. A new coffee competitor is coming too
With coffee consumption in the United States at the highest level in more than 20 years, according to the National Coffee Association, it’s no wonder that new coffee shops continue to pop up in the Bradenton area.
That includes chains like Seattle-based Starbucks, which has over 20 stores in Manatee County, and a very different newcomer, Scooter’s Coffee, which specializes in drive-thru coffee houses.
Scooter’s has its first Manatee County coffee house nearing completion at 6625 State Road 70 E., between Zaxby’s, 6591 S.R. 70 E., and a Synovus Bank branch, 6705 S.R. 70 E.
As far as an opening date, Scooter’s hasn’t said.
“We anticipate it will open this summer season. Stay tuned to our Instagram and Facebook as announcements will be on those pages,” the company told the Bradenton Herald.
The nearly 1-acre site where Scooter’s is under construction is owned by Uncle Chubby’s Properties LLC of Longboat Key, according to the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s web page.
Scooter’s Coffee nears Bradenton opening
Scooter’s Coffee, based in Omaha, Nebraska, specializes in artisan espresso drinks, fruit smoothies, and baked-from-scratch pastries. The chain is known for its signature drink, the Caramelicious.
What’s a Carmelicious? Caramel sauce, frothy milk and espresso, topped with whipped cream drizzled with more caramel.
Scooter’s was approaching 450 stores operating across 23 states, according to a 2022 news release.
The key to that expansion: great locations, a commitment to high-quality drinks, speed of service and a big smile, the company says.
“The U.S. coffee market is an estimated $48-billion-a-year, recession-resistant industry, and with a 664-foot proven kiosk model, Scooter’s Coffee is striving to become the #1 drive-thru coffee franchise in the nation,” the company said.
Although an opening date for Scooter’s has not been announced, the company is hiring, according to a sign at the construction site.
Another Manatee County Starbucks
Also coming to the Bradenton area is another Starbucks at 901 Cortez Road W., west of Cody’s Original Roadhouse and near the new Sprouts Farmers Market, according to paperwork filed with Manatee County Development Services.
The owner of the half-acre property is listed as RCC Cortez Plaza LLC of Richmond, Virginia, according to the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s web page.
Previous businesses at that location have included a cell phone company and a Juicy Lucy’s restaurant.
Coffee popularity on the rise, study says
The number of American adults who have had coffee in the past day has increased by 37% since 2004, putting past-day coffee consumption at its highest level in more than 20 years, according to consumer polling published in April by the National Coffee Association (NCA).
The NCA report showed that 67% of American adults had coffee in the past day (more than any other beverage, including tap or bottled water), compared to 49% in 2004.
“Increased past-day coffee consumption is driven by consumers ages 25+. The greatest increase is among consumers 60+, whose past-day consumption increased by 9% (from 67% to 73%). Consumers aged 25–39 and 40–59 both saw consumption rise by 4.5% (from 67% to 70% and from 66% to 69%, respectively). Consumption by 18–24-year-olds held steady at 47%,” the report said.
