Sales among the coffee cafe chains among the Top 500 increased 9.7% in 2016 to $24.8 billion, and units grew 4.8% to 24,391. The growth in this category comes, in part, from upping the food game. Coffee cafés prove to be tough competitors for brands like Panera, says Technomic Chief Insights Officer Darren Tristano, as they focus on more premium menu items, and for more than just breakfast.
2017 Rank | Chain Name | 2016 U.S. Sales ($000) | 2016 U.S. Units |
| 2 | Starbucks | 14,673,400* | 13,172 |
| 7 | Dunkin' Donuts | 8,226,100 | 8,828 |
| 60 | Tim Hortons | 760,000* | 683 |
| 134 | Peet's Coffee & Tea | 271,900* | 241 |
| 140 | Caribou Coffee | 255,000* | 405* |
| 176 | The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf | 199,100* | 310* |
| 178 | Dutch Bros. Coffee | 198,500* | 262 |
| 239 | Biggby Coffee | 130,000* | 260 |
*Technomic estimate; Source: Technomic's Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report