Brandwave

How popular isStarbucks?

In September 2026, people searched for Starbucks by name about 48,600 times in New Zealand, about the same as the previous year. These searches made up 46.4% of all New Zealand coffee chain searches, placing Starbucks first out of seven chains. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about coffee chains, Starbucks appeared in one of the three answers and was the sixth most recommended of the seven.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Starbucks is the most searched of 7 competitors and the sixth most recommended in AI answers.

  1. StarbucksShare of searches 46.4%Mentioned in 1 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
  2. Columbus CoffeeShare of searches 22.5%Mentioned in 2 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  3. The Coffee ClubShare of searches 17.3%Mentioned in 2 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  4. Robert HarrisShare of searches 7.1%Mentioned in 2 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  5. Muffin BreakShare of searches 5.3%Mentioned in 0 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –

+2 more

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Top coffee chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, Starbucks was mentioned in one out of three: in one of the three ChatGPT answers. Starbucks is the sixth most recommended of the seven.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Columbus Coffee1st
  2. Robert Harris2nd
  3. The Coffee Club3rd
  4. Mojo Coffee4th
  5. Esquires5th
  6. Starbucks6th
  7. Muffin Break–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

See every answer about coffee chains

3 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.

Which coffee chains compete with Starbucks?

Starbucks against coffee chains in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Starbucks, Columbus Coffee, The Coffee Club, Robert Harris, Muffin Break. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthStarbucksColumbus CoffeeThe Coffee ClubRobert HarrisMuffin BreakEsquiresMojo Coffee
Oct 202542.8%26%18.5%5.4%5%1.2%0.97%
Nov 202547.7%24%17.1%4.9%4.6%0.82%0.79%
Dec 202543.6%26.5%18.7%5.5%4.2%0.82%0.71%
Jan 202644.3%27.6%17.2%5.7%3.6%0.85%0.74%
Feb 202646%28.9%14.8%5%3.8%0.74%0.79%
Mar 202645.4%28.3%14.4%5.8%4.5%0.75%0.86%
Apr 202642.2%26%18.5%6.4%5%0.82%0.97%
May 202639.2%28%18.6%6.9%5.4%0.93%0.93%
Jun 202640.4%29%18%6.2%4.6%1%0.8%
Jul 202639.1%28.1%18.8%7%5.4%0.86%0.77%
Aug 202645.8%25.8%16.1%5.8%5%0.83%0.85%
Sep 202646.4%22.5%17.3%7.1%5.3%0.8%0.74%

  1. 1.Starbucks

    46.4%

    Held 1st. 48.5K estimated branded searches, -4.2% vs prior month. Share +0.6 points.

  2. 2.Columbus Coffee

    22.5%

    Held 2nd. 23.6K estimated branded searches, -17.4% vs prior month. Share -3.3 points.

  3. 3.The Coffee Club

    17.3%

    Held 3rd. 18.1K estimated branded searches, +1.7% vs prior month. Share +1.2 points.

  4. 4.Robert Harris

    7.1%

    Held 4th. 7.4K estimated branded searches, +15.6% vs prior month. Share +1.3 points.

  5. 5.Muffin Break

    5.3%

    Held 5th. 5.5K estimated branded searches, +0.36% vs prior month. Share +0.3 points.

  6. 6.Esquires

    0.8%

    Moved from 7th to 6th. 840 estimated branded searches, -8.7% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  7. 7.Mojo Coffee

    0.74%

    Moved from 6th to 7th. 770 estimated branded searches, -18.1% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.

Compare popularity between Starbucks and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Starbucks

9 comparisons

How has branded search demand for Starbucks changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Starbucks in New Zealand held steady, from 47.2K to 48.5K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Starbucks’ share of searches among coffee chains in New Zealand increased from 42.8% to 46.4%.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Starbucks’ share of searches among coffee chains in New Zealand peaked at 47.7% in November 2025 and was lowest at 39.1% in July 2026.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand coffee chains in September 2026?

6 changes

  1. In September 2026, Robert Harris gained share of searches among coffee chains in New Zealand, from 5.8% to 7.1%.

  2. In September 2026, The Coffee Club gained share of searches among coffee chains in New Zealand, from 16.1% to 17.3%.

  3. In September 2026, Starbucks gained share of searches among coffee chains in New Zealand, from 45.8% to 46.4%.

  4. In September 2026, Columbus Coffee lost share of searches among coffee chains in New Zealand, from 25.8% to 22.5%.

  5. In September 2026, Esquires rose from 7th to 6th among coffee chains in New Zealand.

  6. In September 2026, Mojo Coffee fell from 6th to 7th among coffee chains in New Zealand.

How are Starbucks’ branded searches counted?

14 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Starbucks’ name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.

  • starbucks
  • starbucks cafe
  • starbucks company
  • starbucks cups
  • starbucks drinks
  • starbucks gift card
  • starbucks matcha
  • starbucks menu
  • starbucks nespresso pods
  • starbucks pods
  • starbucks pumpkin spice
  • starbucks tumbler
  • starbucks unicorn frappuccino
  • starbucks westgate

Do you work for Starbucks? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Where does Starbucks compete?

Starbucks is ranked in two competitor sets. Each share is worked out among that set's brands, so it differs from set to set.
Competitor setRankShare of searchesRanking
Coffee chains1st of 746.4%Shown above
Coffee pod brands1st of 470.9%Show ranking
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Is Starbucks your brand?

Put your own campaigns, spend and outcomes next to this demand line, so you can see which of your marketing lined up with the movements above.

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