Top Coffee Franchises of 2026 (UPDATED RANKINGS)

This annual list of the top coffee franchises was revised for 2026.

By helping America to get up and go, coffee shops may be helping their own industry to grow.

One Nation Under Caffeine

65% of Americans drink coffee every day, making it one of the staples of the national diet. The country consumes 1.62 billion pounds of coffee per year, an addiction that America shows no sign of breaking.

This has fueled an important cultural and franchising phenomenon—the coffee shop. Selling beverages and snacks both to eat in and to take away, these are aren’t just stores, they’re important social venues. From low key first dates to business meetings to book clubs, a huge range of events take place in the casual calm of coffee shops, which is why there were around 38,000 coffee shops in the US in 2022.

Coffee shops have historically been most popular in high income cities. These cities’ larger populations made them a safer bet for new businesses looking to establish themselves, and this fostered a coffee shop culture that in turn supported more coffee shops. But that culture is now spreading, as regional cities see a boom in coffee shops, with new locations opening at a rapid rate.

Of course, coffee isn’t the only thing on offer. There are other beverages, including tea and often smoothies, and snack offerings that vary with the chain, but which often include pastries, donuts, and muffins.

Whatever else happens in the wider economy, Americans keep coming for their caffeine fix, and revenues from coffee production have risen by an average of 1.9% per year for the past five years. But that includes coffee consumed at home, in offices, and elsewhere, whereas coffee franchising is all about coffee shops and occasionally carts. So how is that side of the industry doing financially?

Coffee Economics

The coffee shop industry is currently worth $71.3 billion in the US, following a period in which average annual growth was 5%. There are some indications that this boom period may be at an end, as revenues fell by an estimated 1.1% in 2024. On the other hand, this may reflect a reinvestment of profits fueling the current wave of expansion. The rise of extra coffee shops in smaller cities and towns certainly seems at odds with an industry in decline.

This rapid expansion is possible partly thanks to the low start-up costs that make it easy to get new coffee shops open. It’s also relatively easy to draw new customers in, as at an average price of $3.77 per cup, trying out a new coffee place isn’t a big commitment.

Keeping those customers is harder though. There’s high competition between stores, which can sometimes lead to low margins on individual sales, as prices shift to keep people coming.

Around a quarter of the average store’s revenues come from coffee consumed in store, and when food is added to this, almost half of revenue come from customers who stay in. The rest consists of take-away and drive-thru sales. It’s therefore important to cater well to both of these markets when possible, to make the most of what the industry can do.

What’s on Offer?

When talking about the coffee market, it’s impossible not to think about the big chains. Starbucks has around 40% of stores, while it’s nearest rival, Dunkin, has only three stores for every five Starbucks. This level of concentration at the top means that other chains often have to respond to initiatives at Starbucks, as it sets customer expectations.

That said, the current boom isn’t just driven by the large chains—upcoming brands, including a variety of franchises, are also part of the wave of expansion beyond the traditional big cities. Everyone is in on the growth of coffee culture, and regional chains are prospering by building their own distinctive identities in contrast with the national brands.

Variety is also the name of the game within brands. Many consumers are excited for different flavors of coffee, with vanilla and mocha syrups topping the list, and all but the most minimal or elitist coffee franchises are making use of this trend. In-house specialties and seasonal offerings can be good for grabbing attention, while ongoing variety keeps customers interested.

Alongside this sits another strand of the developing coffee culture—premium beans. These selections for enthusiasts are becoming more common, with stores often offering a slightly more expensive brew or two for the more discerning palate. This appeals to a different audience from the sweetened syrups, expanding the customer base.

Another source of variety is the growing range of healthy snacks. As American diets become more diverse, vegan, gluten free, and other options are becoming more important to menus. By making sure that there are a range of tasty treats for everyone, coffee shops maximize their customer base.

The Future of Coffee Culture

Coffee culture is clearly expanding, and coffee shop franchises with it, but there are challenges ahead.

Climate change has had a negative impact on coffee yields, and while for the moment this hasn’t disrupted the industry, it is pushing up costs. This has potential to cause further problems in the long term if supplies become precarious. For now, the coffee production industry has plenty of manufacturers competing for business customers, and this helps to keep costs down for coffee shops, but costs are still rising, and it’s not clear yet at what point this will start turning customers off.

Fittingly, coffee consumers are increasingly interested in the sustainability of their drinks, and this is leading to the sort of change that might reduce the problem. Starbucks has been using its own farms to push towards more sustainable practices, taking economic risks to protect the coffee supply chain. The industry might yet play a part in preventing the disaster coming for it.

As in so many industries, tech is increasingly important. When investigating any franchise, look at how they use loyalty apps to track customers’ habits, shape their consumption, and target marketing. This has become a central tool of the industry, and any franchise that doesn’t use it is missing out on an important opportunity.

From environmental concerns to the use of social technology, coffee shops are shaped by the most important current trends, and their place in the future seems secure.

The Top Coffee Franchises of 2026

1. Dunkin’

Dunkin’ is by far the world champion of coffee franchising. Each of their main categories of beverages is available iced, including coffee, Americano, latte, signature latte, macchiato, and cappuccino. Also on the coffee menu are cold brew and espresso. Additional drinks include teas, refreshers, matcha, and chai, as well as several frozen drinks. Then there are the usual array of donuts and munchkins. Perhaps more surprising is the extent to which the chain has grown its menu to include sandwiches, wraps, bagels, muffins, croissants, hash browns, and stuffed bagel minis.

Founded by William Rosenberg in Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1948 and franchising since 1955, after a slight decline in 2021, the number of locations has resumed its steady upward march to the current total of 14,128 (up from the previously reported total of 13,790), of which 34 are company-owned and 4,360 are located outside the US.

2. Tim Hortons

Tim Hortons is a quick-service Canadian restaurant chain best known for its coffee and doughnuts. Its coffee is a premium blend of 100% Arabica beans and is always served within 20 minutes of brewing or it’s not served at all. In addition to a range of coffee beverages both hot and iced, there are a dozen different doughnuts and Timbits (donut holes), a variety of breakfast items (sandwiches, wraps, avocado toast, bagels, and omelette bites), lunch items (sandwiches, wraps, panini, and chili), and a number of baked goods (muffins, cookies, croissants).

Founded by Canadian hockey legend Tim Horton in 1964 and franchising since 1965, the number of locations has marched steadily upward in recent years from 4,853 in 2019 to the current total of 5,833 (up from the previously reported total of 5,291), of which four are company-owned and 5,202 are located outside the US (3,894 of which are in Canada, with approximately 1,400 spread across the globe in other countries). The US only has 631 locations.

3. Scooter’s Coffee

Scooter’s Coffee is a drive-thru coffeehouse chain committed to high-quality coffee drinks and customer-focused speedy service as captured in the company motto: Amazing People, Amazing Drinks … Amazingly Fast! Each and every coffee drink can be served hot, iced, or blended, and the menu also includes tea and smoothies, along with a selection of pastries, sandwiches, burritos, omelet bites, muffins, and cookies. The chain purchases its coffee beans directly from family farms all over the globe and values having direct relationships with coffee growers.

Founded by Don and Linda Eckles in Bellevue, Nebraska, in 1998 and franchising since 2001, the number of locations has more than quintupled in the past decade from 111 in 2014 to the current total of 878 (up from the previously reported total of 800), of which 24 are company-owned and all are located in the US.

4. Biggby Coffee

Biggby Coffee offers a full range of coffee beverages, teas and tea lattes, hot chocolate, sweet foam cold brew, Biggby Blast energy drinks (iced or frozen), Red Bull Mocktails, and smoothies. The food menu includes bagels, bagel sandwiches, waffle sandwiches, muffins, Kind bars, cookies, and donut holes. Franchisee store options include lobby + drive-thru (end-cap in strip center), lobby model (small footprint to take a space in a strip center, no drive-thru), standalone drive-thru only model, and kiosk model ideal for hospitals, college campuses, airports, and so on.

Founded by Bob Fish and Mary Roszel in East Lansing, Michigan, in 1994 and franchising since 1999, the number of locations has expanded over the past decade from 168 in 2014 to the current total of 445 (up from the previously reported total of 405), of which none are company-owned and all are located in the US.

5. PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans

PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans positions itself as a competitor to Starbucks and has a similar menu, priding itself on better beans, superior roasting, and an overall passion for coffee-making. It serves up a wide variety of iced, frozen, hot, cold brew, and nitro-infused coffees using only high-quality Arabica beans, along with organic tea and energy drinks. Food on the menu includes muffins, croissants, bagels, scones, cinnamon rolls, cookies, and freshly prepared beignets, which are a hot, billowy French pastry dusted with powdered sugar.

Founded by Phyllis Jordan “PJ” in the Carrollton neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1978 and franchising since 1989, the number of locations has grown in recent years from 66 in 2014 to the current total of 188 (up from the previously reported total of 180), of which none are company-owned and three are located outside the US.

6. The Human Bean

The Human Bean is a drive-thru coffee chain offering a full range of coffee and tea classics, frozen favorites, and infused energy drinks, along with a selection of breakfast items and sweet treats that vary by location. Through its Farm Friendly Direct coffee sourcing program, it builds long-term relationships with coffee farmers and encourages them to adopt sustainable growing methods. The company also pays them above-market prices to allow for investing in their communities by funding local infrastructure improvement projects. The company does not charge franchisees any ongoing percentage-of-sales royalty or marketing fees, earning its revenues instead from the sale of coffee and supplies to franchisees.

Founded in Ashland, Oregon, in 1998 and franchising since 2002, the number of locations has risen over the past decade from 49 in 2014 to the current total of 185 (up from the previously reported total of 172), of which 12 are company-owned and all are located in the US.

7. Aroma Joe’s

Aroma Joe’s is another drive-thru coffee chain serving up handcrafted coffee and espresso drinks, unique flavor infusions, signature AJ’s RUSH Energy Drinks, and all-day food offerings. Its proprietary coffee blend, roasted in Maine, uses only the best Arabica beans and is sustainably grown, ethically sourced, and craft-roasted in Maine by award-winning roasters. It is also 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified. The food menu features a variety of breakfast sandwiches, bagels, hash brown bites, muffins, donuts, marshmallow squares, and stuffed pretzels.

Founded by brothers Marty and Tim McKenna and their cousins Brian and Mike Sillon in New Hampshire in 2000 and franchising since 2013, the number of locations has risen in recent years from 42 in 2016 to the current total of 127 (up from the previously reported total of 114), of which none are company-owned and all are located in the US.

8. Ziggi’s Coffee

Ziggi’s Coffee emphasizes sourcing its coffee and food ingredients from local vendors whenever possible. The menu features coffee, coffee alternatives, frozen “blenderz,” fruit smoothies, chai and teas, Italian sodas, energy infusions, and blenders. The food menu includes breakfast items (four different breakfast sandwiches), wraps, panini sandwiches, oatmeal, scones, cinnamon rolls, a selection of quick breads, cookies, and cake pops. Store formats include a double drive-thru, café with drive-thru, or just a standalone café, although the primary emphasis has always been on the double drive-thru model.

Founded by husband-and-wife team Brandon and Camrin Knudsen in Longmont, Colorado, in 2004, the number of locations has risen in recent years from six in 2016 to the current total of 111 (up from the previously reported total of 94), of which eight are company-owned and all are located in the US.

9. Beans & Brews

Beans & Brews serves high-altitude, locally mountain-roasted coffee. The company does its own coffee roasting of Arabica beans at 4,400 feet above sea level, which it claims results in a smooth intensity unmatched by coffees roasted at lower altitudes. They have developed their own coding system for coffee flavor profiles based on three different levels of characteristics, including flavor, body, and acidity so customers can figure out what profile they like best.

The beverage menu includes a full range of traditional favorites (hot or iced), energy drinks, frozen drinks, blended drinks, chocolate cravings, tea beverages, sodas, and more. The food menu includes breakfast sandwiches, breakfast tacos, bacon and cheese egg bites, oatmeal, avocado toast, a burrito, and various lunch sandwiches.

Founded by the Laramie family in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1993 and franchising since 2004, the number of locations has grown in recent years from 50 in 2018 to the current total of 89 (up from the previously reported total of 79), of which 31 are company-owned and all are located in the US.

10. Ellianos Coffee

Ellianos Coffee is another drive-thru coffee chain that serves Italian quality coffee at America’s pace. The menu features more than 15 signature coffee drinks spanning the full range of coffee, lattes, mochas, cappuccino, and espresso, most of which are available hot or iced. Other beverages include freezers, energy drinks, smoothies, shakes, teas, chai, and hot chocolate. The food menu includes breakfast bowls, breakfast sandwiches, bagels, muffins, croissants, cookies, brownies, and a chicken salad croissant.

Founded by Scott and Pam Stewart in Lake City, Florida, in 2002 and franchising since 2003, the number of locations has risen from 10 in 2016 to the current total of 69 (up from the previously reported total of 51), of which none are company-owned and all are located in the US.

An Important Note About Our Methodology

The franchises on this list were ranked according to the number of units in the franchise system. If you are a prospective franchisee searching for franchise opportunities that meet or exceed certain performance benchmarks for sales, profits, and return on investment, please check out this list of America’s Most Lucrative Franchises.