Starbucks might be the most popular coffee chain worldwide, but it doesn’t need to be your only option. With technology and innovation at an all-time high, competition is fierce, and the time to be a consumer couldn’t be better. With brands that come from all over the world, there is sure to be something to suit your taste.
#1. Dunkin’ Donuts
- Founded: 1950
- Headquarters: Canton, MA
Need to know
Dunkin’ Donuts was founded in 1950 by Bill Rosenberg in Quincy, MA. It only took Bill five years to turn a modest coffee shop into an impressive franchise legacy. Not only will you find over 50 types of donuts across their locations, but their wide selection also includes hot breakfast sandwiches, fresh bagels, and all sorts of delicious baked goods. With over 3 million loyal customers visiting their chains each day, Dunkin’ proudly claims their spot as “the world’s leading baked goods and coffee chain.”
Today, Dunkin’ operates in over 36 countries, amassing over an impressive 11,300 stores across the globe. Clearly, it isn’t just America that runs on Dunkin’. For anyone interested in franchising opportunities, they boast the highest ratings among competitors in the “Quick Service Restaurant” industry.
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#2. McCafé
- Founded: 1993
- Headquarters: Oak Brook, Illinois
Need to know
McDonald’s McCafé first launched in 1993, opening the first installment in Melbourne, Australia. To offer more than just the typical drip coffee you’ll find at any quick-service restaurant, the McCafé launched with a menu offering cappuccinos, lattes, and mochas. It didn’t take long for the brand to follow suit with the likes of Starbucks and begin to offer frappés and smoothies. Hearty items like the triple-thick shake were also introduced around this time.
To keep up with competitors, McCafé underwent an extensive rebranding effort, which is reflected in their modern, elegant, espresso-crafted beverages. Efforts like this are sure to keep the chain competitive with more coffee-centric competitors. There is the added convenience of a more extensive food menu as well.
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#3. Costa Coffee
- Founded: 1970
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Need to know
In 1971, Sergio and Bruno Costa left their life in Italy and arrived in London with a passion for spreading the joy one can find with a simple, quality cup of coffee. Fifty years later, Costa Coffee still boasts the title of “England’s favorite coffee brand.” Not only is it enjoyed frequently in the UK, but coffee enthusiasts worldwide can also enjoy a great cup of Costa Coffee.
After the first storefront opened in 1981, Costa was quick to find success. Today, you can find over 4,000 shops across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Their convenient Smart Café machines are also popular, with 10,000 scattered across the globe! More recently, they have made products like ground coffee, whole bean, and pods available for purchase to ship to US customers here.
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#4. HeyTea
- Founded: 2012
- Headquarters: Shenzhen, China
Need to know
While there are plenty of coffee brands out there to compete with, some people prefer to get their caffeine fix from tea. A surefire brand to watch is HeyTea, founded in 2012 in Jiangmen, China. They offer traditional hot and iced teas, along with their innovative “cheese tea.” While it might be more of a niche taste, it finds excellent popularity among customers. They also introduce different flavors for different seasons, much like other tea and coffee houses.
The company received a hefty investment of roughly $15 million in 2016 and has seen remarkable continued growth. HeyTea outlets can be found all over Asia and are often competing with brands like Starbucks, which also offers specialty teas on their menu.
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#5. Café Coffee Day
- Founded: 1996
- Headquarters: Bangalore, India
Need to know
More commonly known as “CCD,” Café Coffee Day serves as one of India’s hottest coffee brands. The company strives emphasize the experience of sitting down for a cup of coffee. Their brand messaging encourages customers to take a step back from their busy lives and be present over a cup of coffee in one of their many locations. Not only are they the largest retail café chain in India, but you’ll find their shops in other destinations such as Austria, the Czech Republic, and Malaysia.
Coffee Day also exports to various retailers worldwide. They have also retained the title of India’s largest exporter of green coffee since 1999. With growing awareness about the environment, this is certainly a notable quality in such a large corporation.
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#6. Tim Horton’s
- Founded: May 17, 1964
- Headquarters: Oakville, Canada
Need to know
The story of Tim Horton’s began in 1964, when it was founded in Hamilton, Ontario Canada, by National Hockey League Legend and company namesake, Tim Horton. By the 1970s, the chain became a household name in Canada and was on track to becoming an icon among Canadian coffee shops, and later, worldwide. Drinks like “The Timbit” and the “Iced Capp” gained widespread popularity, becoming identifying items of the brand.
The brand celebrated the millennial new year quite appropriately by opening its 2000th restaurant in downtown Toronto. Their rapid expansion led to additional menu items such as sandwiches, wraps, and other food items and specialty coffees. In 2017, Tim Horton’s decided to expand their brand and bring their coffee and a full line of products to the United Kingdom.
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#7. Krispy Kreme
- Founded: July 13, 1937
- Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Need to know
With over 75 years in business, Krispy Kreme is no stranger to the world of coffee and quick service. Krispy Kreme founder, Vernon Rudolph, began selling doughnuts to local stores on July 13, 1937. His inspiration came from New Orleans French chef, who sold him his now-famous “secret yeast-raised doughnut recipe.” As the story goes, people became so curious by the delicious scent of his doughnuts, constantly inquiring about fresh batches, he ended up creating a walk-up counter to sell directly onto the sidewalk.
Krispy Kreme went public on the stock market in April 2000 and has seen soaring success since. Besides their many retail locations in North America, you’ll find their shops in Australia, England, Asia, Turkey, and the Middle East!
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#8. Peet’s Coffee
- Founded: April 1, 1966
- Headquarters: Emeryville, California, United States
Need to know
Born in 1920, Alfred Peet was destined for success with Peet’s Coffee. After spending many years learning from his father’s small coffee business, B. Koorn & Company, he decided against college in favor of more hands-on experience. Peet later pursued an apprenticeship at Twining’s, a well-known British tea company and later worked as a tea taster in Indonesia.
After spending time in San Francisco, Peet opened his first shop in Berkeley, California. Not far from a college campus, the brand took off and is known today as one of the most prominent players in the modern craft coffee market. Unfortunately, Alfred Peet passed in 2007, but his legacy lives on today, with their 50th-anniversary blend paying tribute to Mr. Peet in 2016.
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#9. Folger’s
- Founded: 1850
- Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States
Need to know
Folger’s boasts a rich history dating all the way back to 1850, when a 14-year-old James Folger decided not to join his two brothers working in the mines in favor of The Pioneer Steam Coffee and Spice Mills. Although he eventually became a partner in the organization, economic collapse led him to find creditors that would help him pay off debts and rebrand the company J.A. Folger & Co.
With a history spanning multiple centuries, the company has overcome many times of hardship, including the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. Folger’s was the only coffee company still standing after the devastation wreaked havoc on San Francisco. The famous “The best part of wakin’ up” marketing campaign took the coffee world by storm in the 1980s, securing Folger’s as synonymous with morning routines.