While Better Buzz has not yet announced an opening date or formally confirmed the project, the permit review signals active plans to bring the popular coffeehouse chain to the South Bay community - its first-ever location in Imperial Beach and a notable push into a part of the county where third-wave coffee options remain relatively limited.
The Imperial Beach proposal comes as Better Buzz has quietly withdrawn its earlier plans for a new store in Escondido, despite previously submitting paperwork for a site in the city. The decision underscores a strategic shift that leans toward coastal, high-foot-traffic areas where the brand has historically performed well.
If approved, the Imperial Beach café would join more than a dozen Better Buzz locations across the county, including Pacific Beach, Point Loma, Encinitas, Mira Mesa, Bonita, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Fashion Valley, Hillcrest, and its newest shops in Poway and Vista. The company - founded in 2002 as a single coffee cart - has expanded steadily in recent years, both locally and out of state, including openings in Arizona, Nevada, and Orange County.
The new Imperial Beach location is expected to feature Better Buzz’s full lineup of handcrafted espresso and cold brew drinks, teas, smoothies, energy drinks, and signature breakfast offerings. Fan favorites such as the Best Drink Ever, Horchata Iced Latte, Killer Bee, and seasonal nitro brews are likely to be available, along with acai bowls, breakfast wraps, sandwiches, and toast options. Better Buzz cafés traditionally blend modern, minimalist design with relaxed coastal aesthetics, and if the company follows its recent build-out patterns, the Palm Avenue site could see a substantial redesign should the Burger King structure be repurposed rather than demolished.
The location sits within a busy commercial corridor frequented by both locals and visitors heading to the Imperial Beach Pier, Navy housing, and nearby parks - positioning Better Buzz to tap into a growing customer base in a seaside city that has seen significant restaurant and retail activity in recent years.
Better Buzz’s rapid expansion has come alongside increased scrutiny of labor conditions. In April 2024, workers at the company’s Hillcrest headquarters unionized under UFCW Local 135, citing concerns about pay, scheduling consistency, and healthcare coverage. Organizers have signaled that unionization efforts may continue at other locations as the company grows.
Despite the shifting labor landscape, Better Buzz has maintained brisk expansion momentum, launching multiple cafés in San Diego County this year alone, including its new Poway shop that opened in March with an exclusive Peach Cobbler Best Drink Ever.
If finalized, the Imperial Beach café would be a meaningful addition to the South Bay dining scene. While neighborhood staples like IB’s longstanding mom-and-pop cafés continue to draw loyal customers, the addition of a major local chain like Better Buzz reflects the city’s ongoing evolution and its growing appeal to both residents and new businesses.
Better Buzz Coffee Roasters is expected to open in 2026 at 1180 Palm Avenue in San Diego's South Bay city of Imperial Beach. For more information, visit betterbuzzcoffee.com.
