Top 10 Best Coffee Chains In The US
Top 10 Best Coffee Chains in the U.S.
These are the must-visit stops for that daily cup o' Joe. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the Top 10 Best Coffee Chains in the U.S.
For this list, we'll be ranking the most popular and consistent coffee chains with franchise locations in the United States. These java joints don't necessarily need to be exclusive to the U.S., but they need to be firmly entrenched in the public consciousness as a solid place to score that first cup of the day.
#10: Dutch Bros. Coffee
There are quite a few coffee corporations on this list, but Dutch Bros. Coffee are one of the few to boast private ownership. In fact, this Oregon-based company has managed to expand to over 300 brick and mortar franchises in just seven west coast states. That's not too shabby, considering only employees and existing franchisees are allowed to open up their own Dutch Bros. location, making this chain one tightly run organization. So, if you're ever out west and are jonesin' for a good cup of Joe, then why not head to Dutch Bros. and try one of their flavored brews, or pick up some DB Cups to go?
#9: Dunn Brothers Coffee
The next coffee chain on our list are centered primarily in Minnesota and the American Midwest, where the Dunn Brothers Coffee brand has expanded to include over seventy locations in ten states. Quality and freshness are what makes Dunn Bros. locations stand out for their clientele, as customers are able to take home bags of beans which are roasted in house, every day. [1] This, combined with the Dunn Brothers brand's commitment to brewing their Fair Trade Certified coffee in small batches means that customers get a fresh cup all the time, every time.
#8: Gloria Jean's Coffees
Gloria Jean's Coffees was first established in Chicago back at the tail end of the 1970s, but it has since grown to become a franchise boasting over a thousand locations in countries around the world. The company possesses a presence in both the retail and brick and mortar environments, as Gloria Jean's supplies a number of K-Cup flavors to supermarkets, while also operating independent franchise locations. The company has also participated in a number of philanthropic ventures, while at the same time fending off criticism for the nutritional content of its sugary and indulgent line of flavored coffees.
#7: McDonald's
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There’s always been coffee available at the Golden Arches, but over the past two decades the fast food heavyweight has introduced their coffee-house chain McCafé in franchises around the world to huge success. Designed to compete with the espresso coffee giants of the world, McCafé was first experimented with in Australia in 1993, and the concept caught on immediately, quickly growing to over 35,000 locations worldwide. By offering specialty and iced drinks, smoothies and baked goods, McDonald’s has become a top player in the coffee world. So next time you’re craving a Big Mac, kill two birds with one stone and get your caffeine fix while you’re at it.
#6: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
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Can't decide whether you want coffee and tea? Then why not get you a chain that can do both? The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is just that, a company founded back in the early sixties by Herbert Hyman and his wife Mona, who first fell in love with coffee after spending their honeymoon in Sweden. The Coffee Bean is most well-known for their popular line of ice blended drinks, while The Hymans have received credit for their role in expanding the coffee industry into a gourmet direction. Currently, franchise locations for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf can be found in thirty countries, with its most prominent U.S. focus being the West Coast.
#5: Peet's Coffee
Dark roast coffees may be an acquired taste for some, but the next chain on our list, Peet's Coffee, have made a career out of catering this brand of brew to its customers. The chain is focused primarily on the West Coast, although some Peet's franchisees have tried their luck as far east as Massachusetts, a land ruled by another famous chain we may mention later on in this list. Peet's Coffee became a hit on college campuses in the early days of their business, and today feature almost 200 retail locations, all of which owe their success to founder Alfred Peet's search for the perfect roast.
#4: Seattle's Best Coffee
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Do you find the atmosphere in your local Starbucks to be snobby or stuffy? Or the coffee too bitter? Then perhaps you may find this subsidiary company more to your liking. Seattle's Best Coffee didn't start life under the Starbucks banner, despite boasting similarly humble origins in Washington State. The small company did a remarkable amount of business early on, before eventually being sold to Starbucks in 2003, where it currently exists as a comparatively relatable and "blue collar" brand of coffee. A smooth flavor is what Seattle's Best prides itself on within its branding, harkening back to its roastin' roots from the late sixties.
#3: Caribou Coffee
The Minnesota-based chain Caribou Coffee has been through some challenging times in the past, including turning over eighty franchised locations into Peet's brand stores between 2013 and 2014 [1]. Still, the flavorful and fun coffee brand features stores across the upper Midwest, while also boasting an international presence in over ten countries. This success might be due to the variety of flavor combinations present within Caribou Coffee's hot and iced brews, as well as their successful line of K-Cups which stock supermarket shelves clear into the East Coast.
#2: Starbucks
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You see them on almost every street corner, as an integral part of your morning coffee ritual. They're called Starbucks, a place millions of Americans visit, without fail, on a daily basis. There's a remarkable amount of brand loyalty when it comes to Starbucks customers, with many refusing to frequent any other coffee chain for their A.M. caffeine. The company's product has always enjoyed a reputation of being a bit strong and intense, a fact which may have influenced the introduction of Starbucks Blonde Roast in 2011, a smoother and more balanced brew designed to appeal to the average coffee drinker's palate.
Before we reveal our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions!
Stumptown Coffee Roasters
PJ's Coffee of New Orleans
#1: Dunkin' Donuts
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We've mentioned a lot of coffee franchises on this list, but none of them possess a sense of cultural identity quite similar to that of Dunkin' Donuts. The company is an East Coast institution, particularly in New England where their frequency rivals that of a Starbucks anywhere else in the country. The atmosphere of a Dunkin' is approachable and working class, offering brews in a variety of roasts and flavors, as well as their famous cold creation known as a Coffee Coolatta [1]. Dunkin' Donuts also serves as a popular fast foot spot, serving up breakfast and lunch throughout the day to its legions of fanatical followers.
