News Summary
San Antonio recently held the 2025 South Texas Summit, uniting business leaders to discuss future growth in the region. The event, organized by the South Texas Business Partnership, aimed to strengthen connections among entrepreneurs in the South Texas Triangle, with a strategic focus on the rapidly growing Rio Grande Valley. Notable developments, such as the expansion of Dutch Bros Coffee, highlight the area’s economic potential. Despite some recent challenges, the overall outlook for South Texas remains positive as leaders collaborate to foster business growth.
Texas – The South Texas Business Partnership (STBP) hosted its 2025 South Texas Summit on June 9, 2025, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Brooks Hotel & Spa. The summit aimed to foster regional growth by uniting business leaders from the South Texas Triangle, which encompasses South San Antonio, Laredo, the Rio Grande Valley, and the Coastal Bend. STBP was formerly known as the South San Antonio Chamber until its rebranding in 2022, which reflects a proactive approach to enhancing business opportunities in the region.
Rebecca J. Viagran, the president and CEO of STBP, emphasized the organization’s commitment to increasing its presence in the Rio Grande Valley during a recent interview. The change in branding indicates STBP’s intention to evolve and become a catalyst for a more unified business community across South Texas. This growth mindset positions the STBP as a driving force for economic development as it works to connect various stakeholders across the region.
One highlight of the summit was the increasing footprint of Dutch Bros Coffee in the Rio Grande Valley. As of June 2025, the national drive-thru coffee chain operates 12 locations within the region. The company is on an ambitious growth trajectory, aiming to reach 2,029 shops by 2029 and ultimately expanding to 7,000 locations nationwide. Dutch Bros celebrated a significant milestone in February 2024 when it reached its 1,000th store, just over 33 years since the first location opened.
Dutch Bros has continued to expand systematically since it went public in 2021. The company opens a minimum of 30 new locations every quarter, reflecting its robust growth strategy. Furthermore, Dutch Bros is developing a leadership pipeline, which includes 450 operator candidates, averaging more than seven years of tenure within the company. This initiative aims to bolster its operations while ensuring quality management across new locations.
In support of its aggressive expansion, Dutch Bros bolstered its real estate and construction teams in 2024. Brian Cahoe, the former Chief Development Officer for KFC U.S., was hired to streamline site development, underscoring Dutch Bros’ commitment to strategic growth and enhanced operational efficiency.
Currently, Dutch Bros has established locations in several cities across the Rio Grande Valley, including Rio Grande City, Mission, Palmhurst, Penitas, San Juan, Edinburg, Alamo, Donna, Weslaco, and Harlingen, with a notable presence in McAllen where two stores operate.
In a different development in the region, collaboration between local and federal law enforcement resulted in the arrest of five individuals by ICE agents at three sexually oriented businesses in the Rio Grande Valley. The specifics regarding the identities of those arrested and the nature of the charges remain undisclosed at this time. This incident highlights ongoing law enforcement activities aimed at maintaining order and safety in the community.
The South Texas Business Partnership’s summit and the continued expansion of businesses like Dutch Bros reflect the evolving nature of economic landscapes in Texas. As companies invest in the region, the potential for growth and collaboration appears promising. STBP’s mission to unite business interests will likely play a critical role in shaping the future economic climate of the South Texas Triangle.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Rio Grande Guardian: Introducing the South Texas Business Partnership
- Wikipedia: South Texas
- Texas Border Business: Dutch Bros Expands in the Rio Grande Valley
- Google Search: Dutch Bros Coffee expansion
- KRGV: ICE – 5 Arrested at Sexually Oriented Businesses in Harlingen
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration Law
- MyRGV: Cameron County Residents Win Big in Small Business Administration Awards
- Google News: Cameron County business awards
