6 Starbucks alternative coffee shops (Coffee Shop Franchises Other Than Starbucks)

I used to order three coffee cups from Starbucks each day. If you are a coffee addict, you probably spend a lot of money trying to fulfill this craving. Since Starbucks is expensive, some people look for alternative shops. I created this post to help you find some Starbucks alternative shops where you can get your coffee from. You will also learn what each shop sells. Enjoy!

6 Starbucks alternative coffee shops

Though Starbucks is one of the most successful coffee companies in America, it faces competition from different coffee shop franchises. Some of the alternative coffee shops in this country include Dunkin Donuts, McCafé, The Human Bean, Gloria Jeans, McDonald’s, and Tim Hortons’d.

If you are interested in learning what these coffee shops offer, you should continue reading since each company is discussed in detail.

Dunkin Donuts

Do you enjoy Caramel Iced coffee? If yes, you should try this beverage from Dunkin Donuts. This is one of the Starbucks competitors that has been operating since 1950. Though the donut and coffee shop was initially established in Massachusetts, it has managed to expand and open branches in different parts of the world.

While Starbucks has around 15,000 locations, this company has over 8500 stores in around 35 countries. In 2021, this company had around 9000 locations in America. When it comes to revenue, this coffee shop generates around $1.5 billion every year. On the other hand, the annual revenue of Starbucks is around $23 billion. Dunkin Donuts is ranked the eighth largest fast-food coffee restaurant in the globe.

Due to the high number of customers that visit this brand, Dunk Donuts has managed to employ over 18000 employees in different countries. This company dropped donuts from its name to reflect the increasing emphasis on drinks like coffee. This company started gaining popularity in 2000 for its hot and iced coffee drinks.

Besides caramel iced coffee, you can also order other delicious drinks from Dunkin Donuts, such as lattes, soft drinks, and frozen drinks. One of the things that make this coffee shop a major Starbucks competitor is its cheaper products.

Feel free to order your favorite coffee drinks from this company with breakfast items like sandwiches or donuts. You can also get coffee to brew at home from this company.

McCafé

McCafé is also another Starbucks alternative coffee shop that gives the company stiff competition. This brand has been in existence since 1993 and was established in Australia. It is a subsidiary of McDonald’s. Apart from Starbucks, you can get all your favorite espresso drinks from McCafé. It not only operates in the US but also has branches in other parts of the world.

Since the coffee shop has been experiencing tremendous growth over the years, it keeps expanding its menu. It not only supplies high-quality coffee but also offers customers different types of smoothies made from fruits like mangoes, bananas, or strawberries. Apart from the drinks, this coffee shop is also famous for its delicious food items.

McCafé aims to establish more than 4000 coffee stores by the end of 2023. In 2015, this company was ranked among the top three coffee distributors in the world. It had a revenue of $1.4 billion. The company has also been investing in new equipment to continue delivering high-quality coffee that is similar to the standard of Starbucks.

Many coffee lovers also choose this coffee brand over Starbucks since it is more affordable. You can buy brewed coffee from McCafe at half the price of Starbucks. Though the taste is not very different, most McCafe customers reveal that it is a bit lighter than Starbucks’ brewed coffee.

The employees in this coffee shop have been working hard to improve the consistency and taste of coffee drinks to match the ones at Starbucks. Such efforts seem to be working since it continues to attract more coffee fans every day.

The Human Bean

This coffee shop has numerous stores across the US, North Carolina, and Colorado. This is a great Starbucks alternative shop that sells iced and hot espresso drinks. You can also get delicious smoothies, coffee beverages, eggnog lattes, or specialty items from The Human Bean. This coffee chain generates most of its revenue from selling coffee.

It also has a coffee sourcing program known as Farm Friendly Direct and has been establishing lasting relationships with coffee growers. This company encourages such farmers to maintain sustainable growing methods. The Human Bean was established in Oregon in 1998.

Many customers also like this coffee shop since it offers drive-through-only services, which are quite convenient. It also sells most of its services at great prices. Today, this coffee shop has over 300 locations open in around 25 states.

Gloria Jeans

You can also get all your favorite espresso drinks or classic coffee from Gloria Jeans. This coffee shop also gives Starbucks competition due to its amazing frozen chiller beverages. Since the company has hundreds of locations in America, you don’t have to drive very far to get to one of the stores.

Feel free to purchase coffee from this shop with K-cups, which you can get online or from a grocery store. Since the coffee shop was founded in the 70s, it has been expanding in different parts of the world. Though it started as a small gift and coffee shop, it has grown to become one of the greatest competitors of giant companies like Starbucks.

Gloria Jeans now has over 1400 franchised stores in over 35 countries. This company also puts a lot of emphasis on location. Gloria Jeans is famous for retailing some of its ground coffee, especially flavored coffees. Though this company gets its coffees from different locations, it roasts it in its headquarters in South Carolina. In 2014, the Australian Retail Food Group bought this coffee shop.

Apart from beverages, Gloria Jeans also sells some dessert items that you can purchase with your coffee. You can also save something by being a customer at this coffee shop since it is more affordable than Starbucks. This company also creates a relaxing environment for its customers. You can enjoy the cozy ambiance as you take coffee from Gloria Jeans. Feel free to sit there for hours without feeling pressured to leave.

In 2019, some people criticized this coffee chain for offering products with high fat and sugar content. It was not the best coffee shop for health-conscious customers. It was also criticized for not offering nutrition details to customers. After these complaints, Gloria Jeans started making some changes to boost its image. This company now offers ingredient and nutritional details to customers.

McDonald’s

If you enjoy fast foods, you have probably bought some of them at McDonald’s. This company specializes in such items and serves different types of coffee drinks. For instance, you can get iced or flavored coffee from McDonald’s.

It is a great Starbucks alternative coffee shop since it offers more menu options. Many coffee lovers also choose this brand since it has some impressive deals. For instance, you may receive premium-roast coffee of any size for only $1.

This company has over thirty thousand stores across the globe. It has a storefront in most states in America. In 2021, this company managed to generate sales of $23.2 billion despite the global pandemic.

Many McDonald’s customers who are coffee lovers cannot get enough of the rich flavor in its drinks. McDonald’s is a giant company with over 80 years of experience. It also competes with Starbucks due to its affordable prices.

Tim Horton’s d

Though this coffee house was established in Canada, it has managed to expand to other areas and now has numerous stores in the US. The coffee shop has been operating since 1964. Tim Horton’s d sells fast foods and has a long list of coffee drinks that you can order as per your preference.

In Canada, this is considered among the largest fast-food restaurants. Currently, the coffee shop has more than 4,000 stores in 13 countries. Whether you prefer lattes, tea blends, or espresso shots, you can get quality drinks from this coffee shop. Unlike Starbucks, which sells coffee at a high cost, Tim Horton’s d is much cheaper. The pricing can, however, vary based on location.

Tim Horton’s d also sells food items that you can buy with your beverage, such as sandwiches, muffins, doughnuts, bagels, or bread. In 2018, this coffee shop generated revenue of 3.2 billion. It has managed to employ more than 6,200 people. The company is also keen on providing nutritional information on its menu items.

Conclusion

Though Starbucks is an internationally recognized coffee shop operating for a long time, it is not the only coffee supplier in the US. You can still get delicious coffee drinks from other reputable companies. Most Starbucks alternative coffee shops offer different types of coffee at competitive prices. Take your time to compare the brands we have discussed to identify one that can meet your needs.