Dunn Brothers Coffee

Did You Know?

• Scott Harvey, appointed president on July 10, 2023, previously held roles at Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery, Einstein Bros. Bagels, and Black Rifle Coffee.
• Benjamin Anderson, named president in June 2025, helped launch Caribou Coffee's cabin drive-thru concept.

History

The Dunn brothers packed their belongings into an old Dodge van and drove from Portland, Oregon, to Minnesota in search of a good spot for a coffee business. They opened their first store in 1987 at 1569 Grand Avenue in St. Paul, using a refurbished 1950s Probat roaster they found in Cincinnati, Ohio. A second location opened in Uptown Minneapolis in 1991, which temporarily became the only store while the Grand Avenue location was rebuilt after a fire that same year.

That original Grand Avenue store still operates as Dunn Bros Coffee but is not part of the Dunn Brothers Coffee franchise. In July 2022, Gala Capital Partners, which also owns Cicis Pizza and Mooyah, acquired the brand. Scott Harvey was named president in July 2023, bringing experience from Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery, Einstein Bros. Bagels, and Black Rifle Coffee. He led franchise development and introduced a new store prototype with a smaller footprint and a focus on drive-thru operations.

In June 2025, Benjamin Anderson took over as president, bringing more than 25 years of experience in food and beverage, including roles at Pentex Restaurant Group, Caribou Coffee, and Jamba Juice.

Franchise

At every traditional location, coffee is roasted in-store, usually daily, allowing customers to buy freshly roasted whole beans. Small batch sizes typically yield 12–15 varieties of whole beans. The company partners with certification bodies including Fair Trade USA and Rainforest Alliance.