Every state’s favorite coffee brand

By Samantha O’Rourke

The first sip of coffee can set the tone for the whole day. For some, it’s a drive-thru stop they never skip. For others, it’s a familiar bag from the grocery aisle that always tastes like home. No matter how you take it, coffee has a way of becoming personal and a little regional.

So what are people across the country actually searching for when they’re craving a cup? To find out, we pulled Google Trends data from the past year to identify the most searched coffee chains and store-bought coffee brands in each state.

Below, you’ll find a state-by-state look at the favorites, plus a few standout patterns by region and the top names that rise to the top nationwide. Discover which brand and chain your state can’t stop thinking about.

Quick insights

• Starbucks^® is the most searched coffee chain overall, leading in 27 states.
• Folgers^® is the most searched store-bought coffee brand overall, ranking #1 in 14 states.
• Starbucks leads as the most searched chain in the West, Midwest, and South, while Dunkin’^® is the top chain in the Northeast.
• NESCAFÉ^® is the most-searched store-bought brand in the West; Folgers leads the Midwest; Gevalia^® leads the South; and Café Bustelo leads the Northeast.
• A few home-turf favorites stand out, including Peet’s Coffee in California, Caribou Coffee in Minnesota, Cafe Du Monde in Louisiana and Seattle’s Best Coffee in Washington.

The most popular coffee chain in each state

Most-searched coffee chains overall (by number of states where they rank #1):

• Starbucks (27 states)
• McCafé^® (8 states)
• Dunkin’ (7 states)
• Dutch Bros (4 states)
• Scooter’s Coffee (2 states)
• Peet’s Coffee (1 state)
• Caribou Coffee (1 state)
• Tim Hortons (1 state)

When it comes to coffee runs, one name dominates the map. Starbucks is the most-searched chain in 27 states and leads across three of the four regions we analyzed. From the West Coast to the Midwest to the South, Starbucks shows up as the top coffee chain search in much of the country, including Alaska and Hawaii.

The Northeast tells a different story. Dunkin’ takes the top spot across the region, leading in seven states. That local loyalty makes sense given Dunkin’s New England roots, where it has long been a familiar part of the daily routine.

Overall, Starbucks leads by a wide margin, with McCafé and Dunkin’ rounding out the top three. McCafé is the most-searched chain in eight states, with wins spread across multiple regions.

Beyond the biggest players, a few regional favorites carve out their own territory. Dutch Bros claims four states in the West, including Oregon, where the drive-thru chain got its start opens in new window. In the Plains, Scooter’s Coffee wins in both Nebraska and South Dakota, which fits for a brand that began in Nebraska opens in new window.

Finally, in the “home-state pride” category, a few chains hold down their turf: Peet’s Coffee leads in California, Caribou Coffee tops Minnesota and Tim Hortons takes Michigan.

The most popular coffee brand in each state

Most-searched store-bought coffee brands overall (by number of states where they rank #1):

• Folgers (14 states)
• NESCAFÉ (7 states)
• Gevalia (6 states)
• Kahawa 1893 (4 states)
• Café Bustelo (3 states)
• Eight O’Clock Coffee (2 states)
• New England Coffee (2 states)

Coffee chain loyalty is one thing, but the grocery aisle tells its own story. Across the country, shoppers search for everything from classic pantry staples to specialty roasters and bold espresso blends, depending on what “a good cup” means where they live.

Folgers takes the top spot overall, ranking #1 in 14 states. It’s especially dominant in the Midwest, where it’s the most searched store-bought brand in the region. Out West, NESCAFÉ leads the pack, topping seven states and standing out as the West’s most searched brand. In the South, Gevalia comes through as the regional favorite, winning six states total and taking the #1 spot across the region.

The Northeast’s most popular brand appears to be Café Bustelo, a fitting pick for a region that often leans into espresso-style coffee and strong flavors. Still, the map is full of surprises, with smaller brands and local-leaning names showing up as state favorites. Kahawa 1893, for example, wins four states, while brands like New England Coffee appear right where you’d expect in Maine and New Hampshire.

In addition to the more widely popular brands, there are plenty of one-state standouts that reflect local taste, from Cafe Du Monde in Louisiana to Seattle’s Best Coffee in Washington, plus La Colombe Coffee Roasters, which took the top spot in Washington, D.C.

Closing thoughts

Whether your state swears by a drive-thru classic or a familiar canister from the pantry, coffee is one of those everyday rituals that brings people together. It’s the first pour of the morning, the midafternoon pick-me-up and the little moment of comfort that can turn a regular day into a better one.

That’s why we took a closer look at the coffee chains and store-bought brands Americans searched for most over the past year. The results highlight the big-name favorites that show up across the map, along with hometown staples that hold strong in just one or two places. Either way, it’s clear that what’s in your cup says a lot about where you are, and what you love.

To bring that same warm, familiar feeling to your workplace or coffee shop, 4imprint, the leader in promotional products, offers a wide selection of customizable drinkware imprinted with your logo or message. From classic mugs and insulated tumblers to travel cups made for commutes and conference days, branded drinkware is a practical way to show appreciation, welcome new hires and keep your brand part of the daily routine.

With 4imprint, you can turn a simple coffee break into a lasting impression.

Samantha O’Rourke

Samantha O’Rourke is an experienced SEO digital analyst and copywriter with a decade of expertise in the promotional products industry. With a strong foundation in marketing and a keen eye for emerging e-commerce trends, she stays on top of what’s new and noteworthy in 4imprint’s product offerings. As a regular contributor to 4imprint’s blog, Samantha offers insights on how businesses can use promotional products to stand out, connect with their audiences and succeed in a crowded marketplace.

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