Venki Krishnababu appointed Dutch Bros’ new CTO

UK – Drive-thru coffeehouse Dutch Bros Coffee has appointed Venki Krishnababu as its new Chief Technology and Information Officer (CTO).

Krishnababu, with over 30 years of experience in corporate technology leadership, has joined Dutch Bros as chief technology officer, according to a press release by the drive-thru coffee chain.

He assumed his role on Monday after spending more than seven years at Lululemon. Previously, he served as chief technology officer at Premera Blue Cross and held senior leadership roles at Nordstrom. 

Christine Barone, CEO and president of Dutch Bros, praised Krishnababu’s expertise, stating, “Venki brings extensive experience in technology strategies across areas such as data analytics, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. His leadership will be crucial as we continue investing in technology to enhance our customer experience.” 

In his new position, Krishnababu aims to position technology as a “strategic enabler” while maintaining the company’s people-first culture.

He emphasized that technology plays a vital role in delivering excellent customer experiences, building community, supporting employees, and scaling the business for future growth. 

Dutch Bros has already established a strong digital foundation, with 66% of its first-quarter transactions made by Dutch Rewards members.

Barone noted that this robust digital penetration offers a solid base for advancing mobile ordering capabilities. 

Krishnababu’s expertise is expected to play a significant role in refining the coffee chain’s mobile ordering strategy.

After initial tests earlier this year, Dutch Bros expanded mobile ordering to about 90% of its locations, including 95% of its company-owned stores, as of September 30. By October 31, customers had placed 2.8 million mobile orders. 

To support the rollout, Dutch Bros partnered with Olo for backend technology integration.

The company plans to reallocate labor to enhance customer service at the drive-thru and improve beverage production efficiency without reducing overall staffing levels. 

Barone highlighted the success of mobile ordering, reporting that over 90% of users expressed satisfaction and indicated they would recommend the service.

Mobile ordering has boosted customer frequency by 5% and currently represents 7% of orders. Additionally, it has accelerated growth in the Dutch Bros Rewards program, which now has over 1 million members. 

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