---
title: "Coffee chains in the United States: Which are searched most?"
description: "Compare the coffee chains people in the US buy from. Share of Search among Starbucks, Dunkin', Dutch Bros, Tim Hortons, Caribou Coffee and Peet's Coffee, the coffee chains Brandwave compares in the United States, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time."
canonical: "https://gobrandwave.com/demand/us/categories/us-coffee-chains"
publisher: "Brandwave"
---

# Coffee chains in the United States: Which are searched most?

Compare the coffee chains people in the US buy from. Share of Search among Starbucks, Dunkin', Dutch Bros, Tim Hortons, Caribou Coffee and Peet's Coffee, the coffee chains Brandwave compares in the United States, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.

## Key facts

- **Competitive set**: Coffee chains
- **Market**: United States
- **Brands compared**: 6
- **Month measured**: Sep 2026
- **Highest Share of Search**: Starbucks, 48.1%

## Which brand is most popular in search among coffee chains in the United States?

- In September 2026, Starbucks was the most searched among coffee chains in the United States, with an estimated 13.6M branded searches, 48.1% of all searches for the six we track.
- Dunkin' is in 2nd place, 9.8 percentage points behind at 38.3%.
- 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, Dunkin'’s share of searches among coffee chains in the United States increased from 26.4% to 38.3%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Dutch Bros’ share of searches among coffee chains in the United States increased from 4.7% to 6.5%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Tim Hortons’ share of searches among coffee chains in the United States increased from 2.1% to 3.5%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Caribou Coffee’s share of searches among coffee chains in the United States increased from 1.2% to 1.9%.
- 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.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Dunkin'’s share of searches among coffee chains in the United States peaked at 44.9% in June 2026 and was lowest at 25.8% in November 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Dutch Bros’ share of searches among coffee chains in the United States peaked at 9.2% in March 2026 and was lowest at 4.7% in October 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Tim Hortons’ share of searches among coffee chains in the United States peaked at 3.9% in August 2026 and was lowest at 2.1% in November 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Peet's Coffee held steady: its share of searches among coffee chains in the United States moved less than 0.5 percentage points.

## Top coffee chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In Brandwave's three ChatGPT questions, Starbucks, Dunkin', Dutch Bros and Peet's Coffee appeared every time. Starbucks was recommended most often, coming first in two out of three answers. Dunkin' was second, and Peet's Coffee was third. Tim Hortons, which ranked fourth in searches, was not mentioned at all.

Brands get a higher AI rank if they are mentioned earlier in the answers that list options.

| Brand | AI rank | ChatGPT answers that named it | All answers that named it |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Starbucks | 1st | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| Dunkin' | 2nd | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| Peet's Coffee | 3rd | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| Dutch Bros | 4th | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| Caribou Coffee | 5th | 1 of 3 | 1 of 3 |
| Tim Hortons | Not ranked | 0 of 3 | 0 of 3 |

## Every AI answer about coffee chains

- Asked ChatGPT "Which coffee chain is best in the US?": 1. Starbucks, 2. Dunkin', 3. Peet's Coffee, 4. Dutch Bros
- Asked ChatGPT "What are the best coffee chains in the US?": 1. Starbucks, 2. Peet's Coffee, 3. Dunkin', 4. Dutch Bros, 5. Caribou Coffee
- Asked ChatGPT "What's the best US coffee chain for iced coffee?": 1. Dunkin', 2. Starbucks, 3. Dutch Bros, 4. Peet's Coffee

Not named in any answer: Tim Hortons.

Brands are listed in the order each answer named them. The answers were collected in United States on October 22, 2026.

## Compare search popularity between leading brands

- [Starbucks vs Dunkin': compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/dunkin-vs-starbucks): 48.1% against 38.3% Share of Search.
- [Starbucks vs Dutch Bros: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/dutch-bros-vs-starbucks): 48.1% against 6.5% Share of Search.
- [Starbucks vs Tim Hortons: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/starbucks-vs-tim-hortons): 48.1% against 3.5% Share of Search.
- [Dunkin' vs Dutch Bros: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/dunkin-vs-dutch-bros): 38.3% against 6.5% Share of Search.
- [Dunkin' vs Tim Hortons: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/dunkin-vs-tim-hortons): 38.3% against 3.5% Share of Search.
- [Dutch Bros vs Tim Hortons: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/dutch-bros-vs-tim-hortons): 6.5% against 3.5% Share of Search.

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

- In September 2026, Starbucks gained share of searches among coffee chains in the United States, from 43.3% to 48.1%.
- In September 2026, Dunkin' lost share of searches among coffee chains in the United States, from 42.1% to 38.3%.
- In September 2026, Dutch Bros lost share of searches among coffee chains in the United States, from 7.1% to 6.5%.
- 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.

## Share of Search ranking

| Rank | Brand | Share of Search | Estimated monthly branded searches | Change vs prior month | Owned by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Starbucks | 48.1% | 13.6M | 0.0% | Starbucks |
| 2 | Dunkin' | 38.3% | 10.8M | -18.1% | Dunkin' |
| 3 | Dutch Bros | 6.5% | 1.8M | -18.3% | Dutch Bros |
| 4 | Tim Hortons | 3.5% | 1M | -18.0% | Tim Hortons |
| 5 | Caribou Coffee | 1.9% | 550K | 0.0% | Caribou Coffee |
| 6 | Peet's Coffee | 1.6% | 450K | -18.2% | Peet's Coffee |

## Historical estimated branded-search demand

| Month | Brand | Estimated monthly branded searches | Share of Search | Rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Oct 2025 | Starbucks | 30.4M | 64.4% | 1 |
| Oct 2025 | Dunkin' | 12.5M | 26.4% | 2 |
| Oct 2025 | Dutch Bros | 2.2M | 4.7% | 3 |
| Oct 2025 | Tim Hortons | 1M | 2.1% | 4 |
| Oct 2025 | Caribou Coffee | 550K | 1.2% | 5 |
| Oct 2025 | Peet's Coffee | 550K | 1.2% | 6 |
| Nov 2025 | Starbucks | 30.4M | 62.9% | 1 |
| Nov 2025 | Dunkin' | 12.5M | 25.8% | 2 |
| Nov 2025 | Dutch Bros | 3.4M | 6.9% | 3 |
| Nov 2025 | Tim Hortons | 1M | 2.1% | 4 |
| Nov 2025 | Caribou Coffee | 550K | 1.1% | 5 |
| Nov 2025 | Peet's Coffee | 550K | 1.1% | 6 |
| Dec 2025 | Starbucks | 30.4M | 63.7% | 1 |
| Dec 2025 | Dunkin' | 12.5M | 26.2% | 2 |
| Dec 2025 | Dutch Bros | 2.7M | 5.7% | 3 |
| Dec 2025 | Tim Hortons | 1M | 2.1% | 4 |
| Dec 2025 | Caribou Coffee | 550K | 1.2% | 5 |
| Dec 2025 | Peet's Coffee | 550K | 1.2% | 6 |
| Jan 2026 | Starbucks | 20.4M | 57.7% | 1 |
| Jan 2026 | Dunkin' | 10.2M | 28.9% | 2 |
| Jan 2026 | Dutch Bros | 2.7M | 7.8% | 3 |
| Jan 2026 | Tim Hortons | 1M | 2.8% | 4 |
| Jan 2026 | Peet's Coffee | 550K | 1.6% | 5 |
| Jan 2026 | Caribou Coffee | 450K | 1.3% | 6 |
| Feb 2026 | Starbucks | 13.6M | 49.1% | 1 |
| Feb 2026 | Dunkin' | 10.2M | 36.9% | 2 |
| Feb 2026 | Dutch Bros | 2.2M | 8.1% | 3 |
| Feb 2026 | Tim Hortons | 823K | 3% | 4 |
| Feb 2026 | Peet's Coffee | 450K | 1.6% | 5 |
| Feb 2026 | Caribou Coffee | 368K | 1.3% | 6 |
| Mar 2026 | Starbucks | 13.6M | 45.6% | 1 |
| Mar 2026 | Dunkin' | 11.6M | 38.8% | 2 |
| Mar 2026 | Dutch Bros | 2.7M | 9.2% | 3 |
| Mar 2026 | Tim Hortons | 1M | 3.4% | 4 |
| Mar 2026 | Caribou Coffee | 450K | 1.5% | 5 |
| Mar 2026 | Peet's Coffee | 450K | 1.5% | 6 |
| Apr 2026 | Starbucks | 11.1M | 42.6% | 1 |
| Apr 2026 | Dunkin' | 10.8M | 41.5% | 2 |
| Apr 2026 | Dutch Bros | 2.2M | 8.6% | 3 |
| Apr 2026 | Tim Hortons | 1M | 3.8% | 4 |
| Apr 2026 | Caribou Coffee | 450K | 1.7% | 5 |
| Apr 2026 | Peet's Coffee | 450K | 1.7% | 6 |
| May 2026 | Dunkin' | 12.5M | 44.7% | 1 |
| May 2026 | Starbucks | 11.1M | 39.7% | 2 |
| May 2026 | Dutch Bros | 2.2M | 8% | 3 |
| May 2026 | Tim Hortons | 1M | 3.6% | 4 |
| May 2026 | Caribou Coffee | 550K | 2% | 5 |
| May 2026 | Peet's Coffee | 550K | 2% | 6 |
| Jun 2026 | Dunkin' | 12.5M | 44.9% | 1 |
| Jun 2026 | Starbucks | 11.1M | 39.9% | 2 |
| Jun 2026 | Dutch Bros | 2.2M | 8% | 3 |
| Jun 2026 | Tim Hortons | 1M | 3.6% | 4 |
| Jun 2026 | Caribou Coffee | 550K | 2% | 5 |
| Jun 2026 | Peet's Coffee | 450K | 1.6% | 6 |
| Jul 2026 | Dunkin' | 12.5M | 44.9% | 1 |
| Jul 2026 | Starbucks | 11.1M | 39.9% | 2 |
| Jul 2026 | Dutch Bros | 2.2M | 8% | 3 |
| Jul 2026 | Tim Hortons | 1M | 3.6% | 4 |
| Jul 2026 | Caribou Coffee | 550K | 2% | 5 |
| Jul 2026 | Peet's Coffee | 450K | 1.6% | 6 |
| Aug 2026 | Starbucks | 13.6M | 43.3% | 1 |
| Aug 2026 | Dunkin' | 13.2M | 42.1% | 2 |
| Aug 2026 | Dutch Bros | 2.2M | 7.1% | 3 |
| Aug 2026 | Tim Hortons | 1.2M | 3.9% | 4 |
| Aug 2026 | Caribou Coffee | 550K | 1.8% | 5 |
| Aug 2026 | Peet's Coffee | 550K | 1.8% | 6 |
| Sep 2026 | Starbucks | 13.6M | 48.1% | 1 |
| Sep 2026 | Dunkin' | 10.8M | 38.3% | 2 |
| Sep 2026 | Dutch Bros | 1.8M | 6.5% | 3 |
| Sep 2026 | Tim Hortons | 1M | 3.5% | 4 |
| Sep 2026 | Caribou Coffee | 550K | 1.9% | 5 |
| Sep 2026 | Peet's Coffee | 450K | 1.6% | 6 |

## What is being compared

- **Caribou Coffee**: Measured on the search term “caribou coffee”.
- **Dunkin'**: Measured on the search terms “dunkin” and “dunkin donuts”, summed into one figure.
- **Dutch Bros**: Measured on the search term “dutch bros”.
- **Peet's Coffee**: Measured on the search term “peets coffee”.
- **Starbucks**: Measured on the search term “starbucks”.
- **Tim Hortons**: Measured on the search term “tim hortons”.

- [Caribou Coffee](/demand/us/brands/caribou-coffee)
- [Dunkin'](/demand/us/brands/dunkin)
- [Dutch Bros](/demand/us/brands/dutch-bros)
- [Peet's Coffee](/demand/us/brands/peets-coffee)
- [Starbucks](/demand/us/brands/starbucks)
- [Tim Hortons](/demand/us/brands/tim-hortons)

## Methodology

- [How is the Brand Demand Index measured?](/demand/methodology): Where the figures come from, what they compare, and how they may be reused.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which brand is most popular in search among coffee chains in the United States?

In September 2026, Starbucks was the most searched among coffee chains in the United States, with an estimated 13.6M branded searches, 48.1% of all searches for the six we track.

## Cite this page

Brandwave. "Coffee chains in the United States: Which are searched most?". https://gobrandwave.com/demand/us/categories/us-coffee-chains

This page is also available as HTML at https://gobrandwave.com/demand/us/categories/us-coffee-chains. Brandwave publishes an index of its Markdown pages at https://gobrandwave.com/llms.txt.