Even during times of economic hardship, coffee is a luxury that most consumers simply aren’t willing to part with. And, according to a new report by Placer.ai, coffee was one of the strongest dining performers in 2025.
The report noted several tips that business leaders throughout the food and beverage industry can learn from the most successful coffee chains. Let’s drink it in:
Find New Markets
Coffee chains are prioritizing growth in markets with lighter competition. As a result, year-over-year visits to coffee chains are growing the fastest in America’s southeast and the Sun Belt.
Northwestern metros – where the coffee market is extremely saturated – are no longer areas of momentum for cafes. Instead, operators are looking for markets with lower competition, which is a strategy that other operators can take note of.
The lesson for operators: find the markets with low penetration and lean into those.
Focus on Service
Coffee joints are proving that human connection and personalization remain key.
Exceptional service is something every market desires. Aroma Joe’s is a prime example, Placer.ai noted. Customers love the rapidly expanding coffee chain’s signature beverages and friendly staff. In October 2025, nearly one quarter of Aroma Joe’s visitors stopped at the chain at least four times during the month. Great products backed with great service create loyalty.
Fast, reliable service is imperative for coffee chains. Scooter’s Coffee, which was named for its promise to help customers “scoot” in and out, saw a 3.1% YoY increase in average visits per location. A major factor of this is how quickly it’s able to get customers their beverages. Customers at Scooter’s averaged a dwell time of 7.3 minutes, according to the report – lower than most competitors.
Drop Exciting LTOs
Limited-time promotions create urgency and excitement among consumers. Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte serves as a prime example. On August 26th, 2025, “PSL Day” drove a 19.5% spike in traffic compared to the prior ten-week average, per Placer.ai.
Others in the industry can do this by creating limited time products that are released on a consistent basis, creating a ritual that customers look forward to.
Similarly, merchandise that’s available for a limited time can create a surge of customers. Again, Starbucks is a great example of a successful LTO drop with its “Bearista” launch. Last November, customers stood in line to buy a limited-edition, bear-shaped reusable cup for $30. This became Starbuck’s biggest sales day ever.
Leaders throughout the F&B industry would be wise to take note, offering buzz-worthy merchandise.
Recognize the Value of Collaboration
Dunkin recently created an intriguing partnership, capitalizing on a major pop-culture moment when it partnered to promote the “Wicked” cinematic release. Using thematic branding, seasonal flavors, and LTOs, it attracted an enthralled movie fanbase.
Any major F&B company can take advantage of pop culture moments, by creating attention-grabbing collaborations that will attract new customers.
Food for Thought Leadership
It’s undeniable that restaurants were challenged heavily in 2025, but what does that mean for 2026? Foodservice industry veteran John Inwright discusses the prospects for a new year, what’s working for successful operators, and the headwinds and tailwinds that could define the year.
