Brandwave

How popular isStarbucks?

In September 2026, people searched for Starbucks by name about 13.6 million times in the United States, a 55.2% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 48.1% of all United States coffee chain searches, placing Starbucks first out of six chains. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about coffee chains, Starbucks appeared in all answers and was the most recommended of the six.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Starbucks is the most searched of 6 competitors and the most recommended in AI answers.

  1. StarbucksShare of searches 48.1%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  2. Dunkin'Share of searches 38.3%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  3. Dutch BrosShare of searches 6.5%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
  4. Tim HortonsShare of searches 3.5%Mentioned in 0 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  5. Caribou CoffeeShare of searches 1.9%Mentioned in 1 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th

+1 more

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Top coffee chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, Starbucks appeared in all three answers. Starbucks is the most recommended of the six.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Starbucks1st
  2. Dunkin'2nd
  3. Peet's Coffee3rd
  4. Dutch Bros4th
  5. Caribou Coffee5th
  6. Tim Hortons–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Starbucks3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Dunkin'3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Dutch Bros3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Peet's Coffee3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Caribou Coffee1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Tim Hortons0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers

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 United States on October 22, 2026.

Which coffee chains compete with Starbucks?

Starbucks against coffee chains in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for Starbucks, Dunkin', Dutch Bros, Tim Hortons. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthStarbucksDunkin'Dutch BrosTim HortonsCaribou CoffeePeet's Coffee
Oct 202564.4%26.4%4.7%2.1%1.2%1.2%
Nov 202562.9%25.8%6.9%2.1%1.1%1.1%
Dec 202563.7%26.2%5.7%2.1%1.2%1.2%
Jan 202657.7%28.9%7.8%2.8%1.3%1.6%
Feb 202649.1%36.9%8.1%3%1.3%1.6%
Mar 202645.6%38.8%9.2%3.4%1.5%1.5%
Apr 202642.6%41.5%8.6%3.8%1.7%1.7%
May 202639.7%44.7%8%3.6%2%2%
Jun 202639.9%44.9%8%3.6%2%1.6%
Jul 202639.9%44.9%8%3.6%2%1.6%
Aug 202643.3%42.1%7.1%3.9%1.8%1.8%
Sep 202648.1%38.3%6.5%3.5%1.9%1.6%

  1. 1.Starbucks

    48.1%

    Held 1st. 13.6M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +4.8 points.

  2. 2.Dunkin'

    38.3%

    Held 2nd. 10.8M estimated branded searches, -18.1% vs prior month. Share -3.8 points.

  3. 3.Dutch Bros

    6.5%

    Held 3rd. 1.8M estimated branded searches, -18.3% vs prior month. Share -0.7 points.

  4. 4.Tim Hortons

    3.5%

    Held 4th. 1M estimated branded searches, -18% vs prior month. Share -0.3 points.

  5. 5.Caribou Coffee

    1.9%

    Held 5th. 550K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.

  6. 6.Peet's Coffee

    1.6%

    Held 6th. 450K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.

Compare popularity between Starbucks and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Starbucks

11 comparisons

How has branded search demand for Starbucks changed in the United States over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Starbucks in the United States fell from 30.4M to 13.6M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Starbucks’ share of searches among coffee chains in the United States decreased from 64.4% to 48.1%.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Starbucks’ share of searches among coffee chains in the United States peaked at 64.4% in October 2025 and was lowest at 39.7% in May 2026.

How did search popularity change for United States coffee chains in September 2026?

4 changes

  1. In September 2026, Starbucks gained share of searches among coffee chains in the United States, from 43.3% to 48.1%.

  2. In September 2026, Dunkin' lost share of searches among coffee chains in the United States, from 42.1% to 38.3%.

  3. In September 2026, Dutch Bros lost share of searches among coffee chains in the United States, from 7.1% to 6.5%.

  4. Estimated monthly branded searches for Peet's Coffee in the United States fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 550K to 450K in September 2026.

How are Starbucks’ branded searches counted?

2 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 creamer

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 648.1%Shown above
Coffee creamer brands3rd of 79.7%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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