QuikTrip vs. Starbucks: who will win the coffee war?

A cup of coffee is undeniably one of the best ways to start your morning. There are different places to purchase your coffee drink ranging from large chains like Starbucks and convenient stores, like QuikTrip, and you may be torn on where to get your favorite drink from.

I am a people person and I go for coffee dates occasionally with my friends. Coffee shops with an appealing space are always a top priority for our coffee dates. Although Starbucks has become my favorite meet-up place, there are other desirable locations I go to for coffee dates too. I created this article to help you find out which of the two organizations, Starbucks and QuikTrip, has the best coffee. In the end, you will also learn vital aspects about the two companies. Read on!

What are the differences between QuikTrip vs. Starbucks?

Features	QuikTrip	Starbucks
Ambience	Uses the standard convenient store style, with an outdoor open space with bright lighting for customers, and is suitable for small meet ups.	Has a warm glow of the lighting, has decorative wall hangings, it has tall ceilings, and it has more space that encourages interaction.
Location	Has over 900 stores in 14 states.	Has approximately 34,317 stores worldwide with just under 17,000 in the United States as of January 2022.
Menu	It has an extensive drinks menu. It also has a diverse food menu.	It has a diverse beverage menu, including a secret menu and seasonal drinks. The food menu is not extensive.
Price range	It has affordable pricing	Most of the items are relatively expensive
Beverage sizes	The beverage sizes range from 9 fl. oz for a small cup to 52 fl. Oz for an extra-large cup	The beverage sizes range from 8 fl. oz for a short serving to 31 fl. oz for trenta serving
Environmental consciousness	Has invested heavily in building automation system and energy management to reduce energy use.	Has an initiative to expand plant-based menu options, shift from single-use to reusable packaging, manage waste better, and innovate more responsible operations, delivery and stores.

QuikTrip vs. Starbucks – How they compare

Ambience

Starbucks is one of the top coffee chains worldwide, and it invests significant capital to make its customers feel at home. Visiting any Starbucks store, you will likely enjoy the warm glow of the lighting, decorative wall hangings, tall ceilings, and more space that encourages interaction.

On the other hand, QuikTrip is a convenience store, mostly known by most people as a gas station, and it focuses more on having enough space in the shop to avoid congestion and traffic while shopping. However, QuikTrip provides an outdoor open space with bright lighting for customers and is suitable for small meet-ups.

Therefore, Starbucks wins hands down in this category since it is specifically designed to be welcoming and make the customers stay and spend more. 

Location

Starbucks was founded in 1971 and it has grown into approximately 34,317 stores worldwide with just under 17,000 in the United States as of January 2022. The company has a better worldwide reach.

Contrary, QuikTrip was founded in 1958, and despite being in the business for longer; it has just over 900 stores in 14 states.

Starbucks, therefore, wins in this category since it has many stores worldwide. 

Menu

Starbucks offers an extensive beverage menu that includes hot coffees, hot drinks, cold coffees, frappuccino blended beverages, iced teas, hot teas, and cold drinks. It also has a secret menu and seasonal drinks. Starbucks’ food menu includes snacks and sweets, bakery, hot breakfast, lunch, and oatmeal and yogurt; but the food menu does not offer many options.

On the other hand, QuikTrip offers an extensive beverage and food menu. The QT Kitchen has numerous options to choose from ranging from breakfast, drinks, frozen treats, grab & go, lunch/dinner, pizzas, and pretzels.

QuikTrip wins in this category due to its extensive drink and food menu. 

Price Range

QuikTrip has affordable products with its small coffee serving being almost the size of Starbucks grande serving, and costs under $2 plus sales tax.

Therefore, QuikTrip wins in this category since it is more affordable.

Beverage Sizes

The beverage sizes range from 8 fl. oz for a short serving to 31 fl. oz for a Trenta serving in Starbucks. Contrary, the beverage sizes range from 9 fl. oz for a small cup to 52 fl. Oz for an extra-large cup

QuikTrip wins in this category since it offers bigger sizes. 

Environmental Consciousness

Starbucks has the initiative to expand plant-based menu options, shift from single-use to reusable packaging, manage waste better, and innovate more responsible operations, delivery and stores.

Similarly, QuikTrip has invested heavily in building automation systems and energy management to reduce energy use.

The companies draw in this category since they have implemented environmental sustainability approaches. 

QuikTrip vs. Starbucks – A Comparison Overview 

QuikTrip Overview

QuikTrip Corporation was created to offer opportunities for workers to grow and succeed. The privately held company was founded in 1958. It is currently headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma/ the organization has grown steadily to become an $11 billion corporation with over 900 locations in 14 states. Being a privately held company with such revenues, it is ranked high on the Forbes list of the largest privately-owned organizations. Chet Cadieux, a Tulsa native, is the current Chairman and CEO of QuikTrip Corporation.

QuikTrip offers different services including gas stations, convenience stores, and fast food. Therefore, you are likely to find different beverages, snacks, prepared foods, gasoline, and some groceries from a QuikTrip store.

Although QuikTrip is a gasoline/convenience store, it is interesting to know that its next-generation QT model has pushed the company to compete with large coffee chains. Its model has continued to include outdoor space for its customers to sit and enjoy their beverages and food.

Starbucks Overview

Starbucks was founded in 1971 when it had its first store in Seattle. The company was founded by Zev Siegl, Jerry Baldwin, and Gordon Bowker. It is currently headed by Howard D. Schultz who is the CEO. The company has expanded gradually and now boasts approximately 34,317 stores worldwide with just under 17,000 in the United States as of January 2022.

Starbucks is famously known as one of the top coffee chains. Starbucks offers high-quality coffee and keeps its menu interesting by offering seasonal and holiday drinks for its customers. However, the company offers other products besides coffee drinks, including tea, food, at-home whole bean coffee, and merchandise.

Did you know that coffee arrives at the company as green beans? Starbucks does not use already blended coffee but its master roasters roast the coffee beans expertly to create flavor and different roast levels that cater to different taste preferences.

Final Verdict: So, Which is Better? – QuikTrip vs. Starbucks

Starbucks is better than QuikTrip. Although Starbucks is more expensive than QuikTrip it has more quality coffee. Starbucks is also specifically designed to be welcoming and make the customers stay and spend more. It also has more stores worldwide, thus, more accessible. Starbucks also has a secret menu and seasonal drinks for its customers. It also has a customization option where customers can customize their drinks depending on their preference, such as the number of espresso shots, syrup, sauce and sweetener pumps, and decaf options. Therefore, Starbucks offers more value for your money with better quality products although you will have to go deeper into your wallet.

FAQ Section

Is QuikTrip Coffee stronger than Starbucks coffee?

The companies have different coffee options with varying caffeine content, thus some options in Starbucks may have more caffeine than QuikTrip and vice versa.

Who has a larger market share between QuikTrip and Starbucks?

Starbucks has a larger market share as it operates worldwide.

Does Starbucks coffee taste better than QuikTrip?

Starbucks coffee tastes better since it is of higher quality.