It all started in California back in the 1990s. Specialty coffee was a hot commodity and coffeehouses were popping up everywhere. And while these shops had places to sit and sip, they were not practical for the busy consumer. After stumbling upon a drive-thru coffee hut, Don and Linda Eckles got an idea. “What if we combined coffeehouse quality with drive-thru convenience?” And just like that, Scooter’s Coffee was born!
Don and Linda opened their first Scooter’s Coffee location in Bellevue, Nebraska, with a simple formula in mind:a great location, high-quality drinks, speed of service, and a BIG smile. Customers loved it. Not long after, Scooter’s Coffee locations were opening all around the Omaha area and by 2001, Don and Linda began franchising to meet the growing demand for Scooter’s Coffee. Our brand is now approaching 500 locations throughout the country. It just goes to show, when you combine a great idea with an unwavering commitment to quality, AMAZING things can happen.
The very first Scooter’s Coffee location was known as “Scooter’s Java Express.” Our goal was to keep customers happy by providing fast service that allowed them to “scoot in and scoot out” with their order. We reviewed a list of name options including the word “Scooter,” and ultimately landed on “Scooter’s.” At our first location, Linda worked the drive-thru window while Don ground and brewed the beans. After working the drive-thru for some time, Linda got the idea to put smiley face stickers on every cup to symbolize the friendly, fast service they’d become known for.
By 2001, we had five stores and people were already clamoring for more. The Eckles decided to start franchising the business to meet demand and see how their idea could grow. The first Scooter’s Coffee franchise location opened in Council Bluffs, Iowa, laying the foundation for the hundreds of stores to follow. We updated our logo to reflect our continuing commitment to world-class coffee.
Our name evolved to “Scooter’s Coffeehouse” to reflect a more sophisticated image and attract coffee enthusiasts who appreciate a high-quality cup of coffee. The logo redesign and coffeehouse name brought a new era of the brand to life and helped fuel our reputation as a purveyor of premium coffeehouse products.
The brand name was shortened to become simply “Scooter’s Coffee,” which is more inclusive of the drive-thru concept at our locations. We redesigned our logo with the new name and a streamlined graphic that reflects our commitment to quality coffee.
Loyal customers continue to want more and more and so we keep growing, but we’ll always remain true to our original Brand Promise: Amazing People, Amazing Drinks… Amazingly Fast!”® It’s the cornerstone of our business, and the commitment we make to every customer, franchisee, and employee of Scooter’s Coffee.
