No matter where you turn, there always seems to be a coffee shop. Starbucks and Dunkin’ dominate the coffee industry, with some even having multiple locations within one town. These options can quickly become repetitive. Seeing the same menu and the same drinks everywhere increases demand for a new option. Fortunately, multiple towns in the McHenry area have seen a new player enter the coffee market: 7Brew.
7 Brew, a drive-thru coffee shop chain, has aggressively expanded its presence in Illinois. Within the last year, three locations have been, or are planning to open, in McHenry County: Huntley, Crystal Lake, and, more recently, Algonquin. This followed two locations previously opened in Lake Zurich and Naperville.
7 Brew is a relatively new coffee chain in the coffee industry.
The first stand opened back in 2017 in Rogers, AR. The biggest difference that sets them apart is that they are drive-thru only: no walk-up window, no coffeehouse interior, just two lanes for cars. The stands themselves take up almost no footprint, allowing them to be placed anywhere with low costs. As a result, within nine years of operation, the chain has expanded from one Arkansas stand to 500 locations in the United States.
The chain has also received backing from investment group Blackstone, giving it even more resources for expansion.
The Algonquin location opened in early January 2026 to rave reviews. Given the success of the Huntley location, it was decided to build one right on the corner of Randall Road. Cars backed up into the streets, waiting patiently to order their favorite beverages.
What most consumers enjoy about 7 Brew is the unique menu.
While they do serve typical coffee drinks, they also serve beverages that deviate from the standard. For example, the shop’s “Smooth 7” drink features a blend of Irish cream and white chocolate. These flavors are mixed with half-and-half milk and espresso shots.
On top of coffee, they also sell sodas, energy drinks, and even shakes. Seven Brew fans also cite the vast amount of options available as a reason to love the brand.
“[Seven Brew] gives me the opportunity to try something new or stick to an order I’m familiar with,” junior Karolina Wiecek said. “Since [the drinks] are customizable, the possibilities are endless.”
Customizability is a big part of the 7 Brew experience. Multiple
groups on social media share new recipes people have created. These drinks can range from “Orange Dreamsicle” sodas to banana bread blonde lattes. The vast amount of drink customization keeps customers and fans alike coming back to try new flavors.
Given 7 Brew’s relative newness to the community, some enjoy a new option to get their coffee fix.
“I like Seven Brew because it’s a change from Dunkin’ and Starbucks,” said sophomore Shane Saxsma.
Beyond the customers, 7 Brew creates a positive work environment for its employees. The employees, known as “Brewistas”, often share their work experiences on TikTok and Instagram. Often, high school and college students, Brewistas have the opportunity to socialize with coworkers within the same age range.
“Unlike other workplaces, [our stand] encourages people to know each other more about themselves beyond being a
Brewista,” said senior and employee A. Sadowski. “The vibes are pretty chill as well.”
Despite being a smaller chain, 7 Brew has received love from die-hard fans and employees alike. They continue to choose it for their daily coffee run.
