This energy drink drive-thru chain is coming to KC market, starting with Johnson County
Hyper Energy Bar — an energy drink drive-thru chain — is planning its first Kansas City area location.
The Iowa-based company, which says it serves “hundreds of thousands of flavor combinations” of made-to-order energy drinks and coffee, is venturing outside its home state with the opening of a new drive-thru in west Olathe, 2250 W. Dartmouth St.
And that’s just the beginning.
CEO Chris Whalen said Hyper is currently looking at five to six locations in the Kansas City area, including a few in Overland Park. He wouldn’t say just where yet, adding that he didn’t want to “jump the gun.”
The Olathe spot is estimated to open in the second quarter of 2025.
“We will definitely grow quickly in the metro,” Chris said.
Chris grew up in the restaurant business. His family owns several restaurant concepts in the Midwest, including Olathe’s Burger Shed in Embassy Suites at 10401 S. Ridgeview Road.
Chris and his wife, Izabella Whalen, first opened Hyper in Des Moines in 2021.
On the energy drink side, Hyper’s menu includes Pink Power (strawberry, watermelon and white chocolate), Violet Voltage (blue raspberry and watermelon) and Cosmic Lightning (peach, mango and pineapple).
“We’re really unique. We have a great product,” Chris said. “We pride ourselves on having great customer service.”
Hyper’s “energistas” (that’s their play on the word “barista”) take orders face-to-face. It’s how the brand maintains personability with its customers, Chris said.
Izabella handles the “other 10%” of the business — coffee. Hyper’s coffee and espresso menu includes several milk alternatives. It also offers more than 100 regular syrup flavors and close to 50 sugar-free syrups.
“It’s really good and light,” Izabella said. “We have lots of options.”
On the coffee menu: Caramel Crush latte (French vanilla and caramel), Campfire latte (marshmallow, chocolate, brown sugar and cinnamon), chai, cold brew and more.
Long term, Hyper is looking to expand across the Midwest. Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska, are also target markets.
Chris believes his concept stands out in a market that tends to overlook non-coffee options.
“There’s a few concepts that kinda also (do) energy drinks, but we’re gonna focus on having the best energy drinks — and the best coffee.”
Meanwhile, drive-thru coffee chains are pouring into Johnson County.
Dutch Bros is adding two Overland Park locations. The first is at 9721 Metcalf Ave., where Sears once operated, and the second will be in the Prairiefire district at 135th Street and Nall Avenue.
Texas-based 151 Coffee completed construction of its first metro location, at 9180 Metcalf Ave., near the potential Dutch Bros location. It has yet to open.
Arkansas’ 7 Brew Coffee entered the market in 2022. It now has five locations in the metro, including at 11001 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the business owner’s name.
This story was originally published October 23, 2024 at 5:06 PM.