7 Brew, a rapidly expanding chain of drive-thru coffee shops based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, is planning to establish its first location in Niagara County, specifically in Lockport. This move marks the company's entry into the Western New York market.
The new store will be situated in the Transit Road Plaza which also houses Steak Stone & Sushi, Harbor Freight, and Office Depot.
The design features a two-lane drive-thru similar to those found at Chick-fil-A where staff members, referred to as "texters," will approach vehicles to take orders and deliver drinks. While there won't be a service window for cars, a walk-up window will be available for pedestrians.
Coffee represents a significant portion of 7 Brew's sales, accounting for 40%, while the menu also includes a variety of beverages such as lemonade, milkshakes, smoothies, and teas. The company emphasizes the importance of personal interaction, aiming to create a unique experience for customers that differs from the pre-order model commonly seen at other coffee chains (ahem Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts and Tim Hortons).
Originating at the University of Arkansas, 7 Brew has expanded to 360 locations across 31 states. The franchisee for the Lockport location, Brewtopia Buffalo LLC, is owned by Gaurav Aggarwal who also manages multiple Tropical Smoothie Cafes and a Wingstop in the region. His company holds development rights for 7 Brew in both Western New York and Detroit.
The planned structure for the Lockport location will be a 510-square-foot prefabricated building manufactured in Springfield, Missouri, and transported to the site.
The Niagara County Planning Board has already expressed support for the site plans, area variance, and special use permit. The project is now pending approval from the Town of Lockport planning board. Construction is expected to commence later this year with an estimated duration of 100 days once permits are secured.
In addition to the Lockport location, another 7 Brew is planned for Amherst at the former Scotch and Sirloin site on Maple Road.
7 Brew Chooses Lockport for its First Niagara County Location