7 Brew has outbid Dutch Bros in a $143 million offer for 73 former Salad and Go units, according to a court filing. The salad chain declared bankruptcy in early August, closing all of its remaining locations.
The auction occurred over a week after 7 Brew lawyers shared concerns over Dutch Bros entering into an exclusive agreement for the aforementioned sites, even though 7 Brew was in talks with Salad and Go for a higher amount.
Acquiring 73 locations would help speed up 7 Brew’s pace of openings. The chain opened its 777th drive-thru location in June and is on pace to surpass 1,000 units this year.
7 Brew is projected to open more than 400 franchised units this year, according to its franchise disclosure document. Adding another 73 locations would bring its unit count nearly even with Dutch Bros, which had nearly 1,200 units as of the end of Q2 2026.
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7 Brew’s bid is split between two groups of Salad and Go restaurants. It agreed to pay roughly $125 million for 49 sites, or over $2.5 million per restaurant, and over $18 million for a further 24 sites, or $750,000 per restaurant.
Dutch Bros’ bid resulted in less than $2 million per restaurant, on the other hand. 7 Brew was designated as a lead bidder, while Dutch Bros has become a backup bidder.
Salad and Go lawyer Omar Alaniz, managing partner of Reed Smith, said during a Tuesday hearing that 7 Brew’s bid was above robust and will cover payments to the defunct salad chain’s creditors.
Eric Chafetz, a partner with Lowenstein Sander, who represented the official committee of unsecured creditors, said of 7 Brew’s bid during the hearing, “This is a great result. The committee is extremely supportive and we do like where things are headed.”
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Dutch Bros indicated on Monday that it would not increase its total offer for locations in Arizona, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Texas, opening the possibility it might pull out of the deal.
Christine Barone, CEO and president of Dutch Bros, said in a statement, “New shop growth is one of the most important drivers of our long-term strategy, and we remain highly confident in our path to 2,029 shops in 2029.”
Dutch Bros said it would focus on its ongoing strategy to invest in its people, providing exceptional customer service and expand its presence across the country. The company’s decision not to increase its bid may be a sign that it is prioritizing its existing strategy over expansion through acquisition.
As the process moves forward, 7 Brew’s bid will need to be reviewed and approved by the court, and the company will need to work with landlords to finalize the acquisition of the Salad and Go locations.