Muffin Break vs Starbucks:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Starbucks had more branded searches than Muffin Break among coffee chains in Australia. Starbucks had about 165,000 branded searches, while Muffin Break had 18,100. Starbucks made up 54.4% of all coffee chain searches we track, and Muffin Break accounted for 6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about coffee chains, Muffin Break appeared in one of the four answers and Starbucks in none.
Who do people search for more?
Starbucks, about 9 searches for every 1 for Muffin Break
Who does AI mention more?
Muffin Break, mentioned in 1 of 4 answers, Starbucks in 0
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Top coffee chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Muffin Break was mentioned in one out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Starbucks did not appear in any of the four answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
The Coffee Club2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Campos Coffee2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Dôme Café2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Merlo Coffee2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Zarraffa's Coffee1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers- Muffin Break1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Gloria Jean's1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers- Starbucks0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about coffee chains
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which coffee chain has the best coffee in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best coffee chains in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which café chain in Australia is best for a quick coffee and snack?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“coffee shops”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“coffee near me”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in Australia on October 22, 2026.
Is Muffin Break or Starbucks more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Muffin Break and Starbucks by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight coffee chains we track, month by month, from searches in Australia.
Share of searches by month for Starbucks, Muffin Break. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Starbucks | Zarraffa's Coffee | The Coffee Club | Muffin Break | Campos Coffee | Dôme Café | Merlo Coffee | Gloria Jean's |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 60.9% | 12.2% | 8.2% | 4.5% | 5.5% | 6.7% | 1.6% | 0.4% |
| Nov 2025 | 66.1% | 10.9% | 7.3% | 4% | 4.9% | 4.9% | 1.8% | 0.29% |
| Dec 2025 | 63.2% | 15.5% | 7% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 4.7% | 1.7% | 0.34% |
| Jan 2026 | 60.3% | 14.8% | 8.1% | 4.4% | 4.4% | 5.4% | 2% | 0.39% |
| Feb 2026 | 62.8% | 12.6% | 8.5% | 3.8% | 4.6% | 5.7% | 1.7% | 0.33% |
| Mar 2026 | 62.1% | 12.5% | 8.4% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 5.6% | 2% | 0.33% |
| Apr 2026 | 56% | 16.8% | 11.3% | 4.1% | 4.1% | 5% | 2.3% | 0.36% |
| May 2026 | 58.4% | 14.4% | 9.6% | 5.3% | 5.3% | 4.3% | 2.4% | 0.38% |
| Jun 2026 | 54.2% | 16.3% | 10.9% | 4.9% | 5.9% | 4.9% | 2.7% | 0.33% |
| Jul 2026 | 54.2% | 16.2% | 10.9% | 5.9% | 4.9% | 4.9% | 2.7% | 0.43% |
| Aug 2026 | 51.2% | 18.8% | 10.3% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 2.5% | 0.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 54.4% | 16.3% | 10.9% | 6% | 4.9% | 4.9% | 2.2% | 0.43% |
How has the Muffin Break and Starbucks comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Starbucks was ahead of Muffin Break in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Muffin Break’s share of searches among coffee chains in Australia moved from 4.5% to 6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 18.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Starbucks’ share of searches among coffee chains in Australia moved from 60.9% to 54.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 246K to 165K.
How did search popularity change for Australia coffee chains in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Starbucks gained share of searches among coffee chains in Australia, from 51.2% to 54.4%.
In September 2026, Muffin Break rose from 6th to 4th among coffee chains in Australia.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Muffin Break’s and Starbucks’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Muffin Break
1 branded search term
- muffin break
Starbucks
1 branded search term
- starbucks
Other head-to-heads among coffee chains
- Starbucks vs Zarraffa's Coffee: compare popularity
- Starbucks vs The Coffee Club: compare popularity
- Starbucks vs Campos Coffee: compare popularity
- Zarraffa's Coffee vs The Coffee Club: compare popularity
- Zarraffa's Coffee vs Muffin Break: compare popularity
- Zarraffa's Coffee vs Campos Coffee: compare popularity
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