The 96th Street corridor in Fishers is quietly turning into one of the most concentrated stretches of drive-thru concepts in the Indianapolis metro. Portillo's. Raising Cane's. Starbucks. Add 7 Brew Coffee to the list.
The Arkansas-based drive-thru chain has filed plans to build a stand at 8764 E. 96th St., near the I-69 interchange. The project is in Fishers' Technical Advisory Committee review, the first stage of municipal approval before construction can begin.
What 7 Brew Is
7 Brew started in 2017 as a single drive-thru stand in Rogers, Arkansas. As of 2026, it operates more than 600 locations and has become one of the largest drive-thru-only coffee brands in the country.
The model: no indoor seating, no pastry case, just a small building with two drive-thru lanes and a long menu of customizable coffee, tea, energy drinks, and shakes. Crews of "Brewistas" take orders directly at the window, blast high-energy music, and chat with regulars by name. The chain targets a sub-three-minute transaction time.
There's also a thriving secret menu culture. Regulars order drinks with names like the Ocean Breeze and the Nightmare that never appear on any board. Asking a Brewista for their favorite is part of the experience.
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The Modular Build Trick
Here's something most readers don't know: 7 Brew stands aren't built in the traditional sense. They arrive on a flatbed truck in one or two pieces and get dropped onto the concrete pad by a crane.
Once the site is prepped (utilities, drive-thru lanes, signage, landscaping), the actual stand installs in 24 to 48 hours. That's why the lot at 8764 E. 96th St. will likely sit empty for months while site work happens, then seemingly overnight a fully formed coffee stand will appear.
Why the 96th Street Site Matters
96th Street is the dividing line between Marion County and Hamilton County, and it's been one of the metro's busiest commercial corridors for years. Drop a high-volume drive-thru concept here, and the morning rush around 96th and Kincaid is going to look different.
The bigger question for Fishers will come at the plan commission stage. The city is notoriously detail-oriented about "stacking," meaning how many cars can wait in line without backing into the street. 7 Brew's signature double-lane setup is designed for high volume, which can be a selling point or a sticking point depending on how the queue is configured.
The Real Competitive Story
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The competitive story isn't 7 Brew vs. Starbucks. It's 7 Brew vs. Dutch Bros, the Oregon-based drive-thru chain that's also expanding aggressively into central Indiana. The two brands operate similar models, target similar customers, and are quietly fighting for the same suburban morning commute.
If you want to sit with a laptop or have a slow Saturday latte, an independent cafe is still the better call. If you want to roll through at 7:45 a.m. and walk out with a customized iced drink in three minutes, this is built for that.
The 7 Energy program is also worth flagging. It's the chain's afternoon driver and a major draw for the high school and after-work crowd. Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern students will likely make this a regular stop.
What's Next
After TAC sign-off, the project still needs plan commission approval, building permits, and construction inspection. Construction typically takes two to four months from permit issuance to opening, plus the modular install and staff training.
An opening date has not been announced. The closest confirmation that 7 Brew is on the way is the parking lot itself. When grading and curb work begins on the empty lot at 8764 E. 96th St., the stand is close.
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