Dutch Bros Coffee won sign-variance approval in Oak Park after the Zoning Board of Appeals cleared the way for new signage at the drive-thru under construction at 316 Madison St.

The ZBA granted the variances Wednesday, Oct. 7, according to the Village Manager's weekly report. The approval covers four departures from the village sign code: two wall signs on the south-facing side of the building, both mounted higher than the five-foot limit above the first-floor window; a wall-mounted menu board on the east side facing an interior lot line; and permission for that menu board to display more than six items of information.

Two mature trees directly in front of the storefront drove the request. The variance application, filed by Doyle Signs Inc. of Addison on behalf of Dutch Bros, argued that the trees block the view for passing drivers. Placing signs on opposing ends of the south elevation would let both eastbound and westbound traffic on Madison Street spot the business before reaching the entrance.

The approved package includes three signs: a channel-letter set of about 32 square feet mounted 14 feet above grade, a windmill logo sign of about 18 square feet at 23 feet above grade, and a backlit menu board of about 10.7 square feet near the walk-up window.

The Oregon-based coffee chain is building a 1,236-square-foot shop on the site of a former Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant that sat vacant for years. The property sits near Madison Street and Ridgeland Avenue, adjacent to Percy Julian Middle School. The plan calls for dual drive-through lanes with stacking for up to 13 vehicles, a bypass lane, a walk-up window with covered outdoor seating and surface parking for 14 spaces.

Oak Park's Village Board unanimously approved zoning variances for the project in October 2025. Village President Vicki Scaman said at the time, "This is revitalizing a piece of property for a productive use that's appropriate for the land," as reported by the Wednesday Journal.

The property is owned by L2 Oak Park LLC, a Miami-based entity. No opening date has been announced.