A recent Technomic survey asked consumers to rank coffee chains based on their craveability, reported Restaurant Business.
When asked to describe what makes coffee craveable, consumers kept coming back to taste, specialty flavors, and high-quality beans. The top-ranked chain edged out the competition by delivering on all three accounts.
Here are the results:
10. Cinnabon
Cinnabon made the list for its flavored coffee offerings, but only 3.2% of consumers ranked the chain as most craveable. Those who sang Cinnabon’s praises cited Iced Coffee Caramel and “all the different Cinnabon flavored coffees” as favorites.
9. Baskin-Robbins
Though not technically a coffee chain, Baskin-Robbins received virtually the same score as Cinnabon, garnering 3.2% of the vote. Consumers with a sweet tooth spoke highly of Baskin-Robbins’ blended drinks that combine coffee and ice cream, especially the cappuccino blasts, which can be customized with any flavor.
8. Einstein Bros. Bagels
Among those who take their coffee with a bagel, Einstein Bros. won 4% of the vote. Specialty flavors such as the pumpkin spice iced coffee and the mocha frozen coffee drink were mentioned by consumers, who described the coffee as “very good.”
7. Corner Bakery Café
One respondent cited “the perfect taste of the coffee” at Corner Bakery Café as what makes it the most craveable, and 4.5% of consumers agreed. The variety of coffees was also noted as part of the appeal and the brand’s iced mocha coffee was mentioned by name.
6. Tim Hortons
The 16.6% of consumers who crave Tim Hortons most praised the Canada-based chain for its “unique brand of coffee.” But respondents added that Tim’s donuts are equally as craveable, and called out Timbits, blueberry donuts, and cream cheese donuts as their favorites.
5. Dunkin’ Donuts
Dunkin’ was the top choice for 20.2% of consumers, winning votes based on the large assortment of specialty coffee flavors available. Consumers mentioned iced coffee with flavor shots, as well as pumpkin spice, peanut butter, blueberry, and French vanilla as their go-to selections.
4. Dutch Bros Coffee
Seasonal offerings and unusual flavors—such as peppermint, Captain Crunch, and German chocolate cake iced coffee—won Dutch Bros craveability points and 27.6% of the vote. The nitro cold brew and double chocolate mocha blended coffee were also standouts.
3. Starbucks
Consistency is what makes Starbucks the most craveable coffee destination for 29.4% of consumers, who reported enjoying both traditional offerings, such as a brewed iced coffee, and specialty flavors, like white chocolate mocha. Whatever the order, “Starbucks makes it the same every time,” said one respondent.
2. Peet’s Coffee
Peet’s was lauded by dedicated fans for its “high quality” and “organic” coffee, with an “amazing taste and smell.” As such, 36% of consumers voted Peet’s coffee most craveable, with one avid coffee drinker adding, “it matters where it comes from and is grown.”
1. Caribou Coffee
Caribou Coffee was ranked most craveable by 36.9% of consumers, beating Peet’s by less than one percentage point. Based on respondents’ feedback, Caribou secured the top spot by having something for every kind of coffee drinker. While some consumers remarked that “even plain hot coffee is enjoyable” at Caribou, others praised the “dessert-like blended drinks” and specialty beverages like the signature turtle coffee.
