Travis Boersma
Co-founder of Dutch Bros Coffee, the Pacific Northwest drive-thru coffee chain.
Travis Boersma's Bio
Travis Boersma co-founded Dutch Bros Coffee in 1992 alongside his brother Dane in Grants Pass, Oregon. What started as a single push cart selling espresso quickly grew into a regional phenomenon, driven by Travis's relentless focus on speed, consistency, and company culture.
Under his leadership, Dutch Bros pioneered the drive-thru-only model for specialty coffee, expanding across the West Coast and beyond. Travis became known for his hands-on approach, often working behind the counter alongside early employees and insisting on treating every customer like a neighbor.
In 2021, Travis transitioned from CEO to board member while Dane took the helm, a move that underscored the family-first ethos Travis built into the brand. The company remains privately held and continues to expand, with over 700 locations and a reputation for one of the industry's lowest turnover rates.
Travis's story is a hallmark of the How I Built This universe: starting small, prioritizing culture, and growing without losing the personal touch. His 2023 appearance on the Advice Line episode of How I Built This focused on scaling culture and hiring at speed.
Career Timeline
1992 — Co-founded Dutch Bros Coffee with brother Dane
Started as a single push cart in Grants Pass, Oregon selling espresso.
2004 — Opened first drive-thru location at Dutch Bros Coffee
Pioneered the drive-thru-only model for specialty coffee.
2015 — Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year
Recognized for building one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the U.S.
2021 — Stepped down as CEO, remained board member
Transitioned leadership to brother Dane while staying on the board.
2023 — Appeared on How I Built This: The Advice Line
Joined Guy Raz to discuss scaling culture and hiring at speed.
Episodes
Advice Line: Scaling Strategies
Guy Raz hosts a special mashup episode of How I Built This: The Advice Line, pairing three callers with three veteran founders to tackle scaling questions. Travis Boersma of Dutch Bros Coffee helps Andy from Nashville decide whether a brick-and-mortar burger joint can supercharge his food truck business. Michael Preysman of Everlane advises Tiffany from Cape Cod on breaking into large retailers with her inspirational jewelry brand. Chris Ruder of Spikeball counsels Peter from South Dakota on expanding his ice skating apparel to overseas markets.
Advice Line with Travis Boersma of Dutch Bros
Dutch Bros co-founder and former CEO Travis Boersma joins Guy on the Advice Line, where they answer questions from three early-stage founders. Plus, Travis reflects on the baby steps that scaled his initial espresso cart into a 900+ location national business. First we meet Sean in Atlanta, who’s trying to reach new customers for his Korean fried chicken as delivery apps cut into margins. Then Trenton in Central Pennsylvania, who’s considering whether to grow his coffee roastery through DTC or wholesale. And Yasmin in Austin, who wants to bring her social tonics to the mainstream as an alternative to alcohol. Thank you to the founders of Mukja Korean Fried Chicken, Pine Ridge Coffee, and Altar Native Bar for being a part of our show. If you’d like to be featured on a future Advice Line episode, leave us a one-minute message that tells us about your business and a specific question you’d like answered. Send a voice memo to hibt@id.wondery.com or call 1-800-433-1298. And be sure to listen to Dutch Bros’ founding story as told by Travis on the show in 2023. Cena Loffredo.
