Who Makes the Best Cup of Java?

Recently, Slate Magazine released an article comparing the coffee brews of Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks, and McDonalds. Surprisingly, the coffee shop whose biz is dedicated to coffee first came in last. Starbucks (SBUX) was the worst rated, next to McDononald’s (MCD), and Dunkin’ Donuts was the winner.

People are passionate about their coffee and the rivalry between Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts definitely runs deep. My first thought was that these results were impacted by marketing efforts and reach, but when looking at online engagement and traffic to each of their websites this is not the case. Starbucks.com is indeed the more engaging, not to mention it garners about 80% more UV’s than Dunkindonuts.com monthly.

What’s your take?

Comments

[stevec:]

Don't forget that McDonalds regular coffee is regional. In the Northeast, they use a Newman's Own blend from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. Last time I saw a comparison using that particular blend it beat all comers.

Aug 18 02:49 PM

[Greater fool:]

If you want a fancy Girlie Man drink with enough sugar, cream, and flavorings added that you can't taste the coffee, then go to Starbux. If your taste runs more towards a regular cuppa joe then Double D beats Starbux hands down, no contest. I've found Starbucks coffee very bitter and acidic every time I've tried it. My only beef with DD is it was owned by the military-industrial complex bad guys, Carlyle Group, last time I checked.

Aug 18 03:41 PM

[Bob_O:]

I like a light to medium roast coffee and Caribou Coffee, a mostly upper midwest chain has several varieties that are very good as well as Dutch Brothers, a 150 something store chain that is slowly expanding on the west coast. Peet's, also on the west coast, is very good. I used to be a real Starbucks fan when they were the only game in town. But now that there are options, I find the options a better choice for me.

Aug 18 04:02 PM

[John Gordon:]

While all of these surveys and awards are interesting, I like to bounce the results up against what the marketplace is saying; the law of the consumer: either we go in or we don't, at the same rates as last year.

SBUX and Dunkin are posting negative same store sales this year. MCD is positive. Many factors, of course, contribute to sales momentum.

As further note, RRGB also noted their Best Burger awards from Restaurants and Institutions magine just today, but reported same store sales down 11.5% and traffic down 12.2%, on Friday.

John A. Gordon
Chain Restaurant Earnings and Economics Experts
pacificmanagementconsu...

Aug 18 04:37 PM

[spotedog:]

These dumbed-down "comparisons" are getting old. Is Van Gogh better than Michaelangelo? Is Bud Light better than Guinness? Your answer depends on your taste. Because the Folgers/Yuban crowd prefers the milder taste of Dunkin Donuts doesn't make DD a better coffee. Conversely, those of us who prefer a richer blend (Starbucks, Green Mt, Caribou) are in no position to assert our coffee is "better". Get your coffee where you want and enjoy it - just don't tell me yours is better than mine.

Aug 18 05:14 PM

[yomamanot:]

Last poster is correct, all a matter of personal taste.

That said, Zagats - whose purpose is to rate restaurants - did a similar survey (which also included DD and MCD), and starbucks came out # 1.

Aug 18 10:32 PM

[Alan from S...:]

Don't tell me Nielsen did the study. It's part of The Carlyle Group stable.

Aug 18 11:19 PM

[DexInTheBurg:]

I like my local independent, JavaWerks Coffee & Tea, best. The coffee is fresh roasted the same week and it is made to perfection. The big chains can't compete with that. When I travel, Dunkin is not bad. But McDonalds? No way. McCoffee is not good.

Aug 19 12:54 AM

[flintysooner:]

I go to my local Starbucks every morning. The Barristas know my name and my coffee. It is a rare morning that I do not see friends and neighbors there and chat with them a few minutes.

Various small groups come in and share coffee and work or study or whatever. People meet there because it is easy to find. The people who work at Starbucks are involved in our community and do all sorts of things for our local grade school as well as participating in other aspects of life.

Can't imagine going anywhere else really.

Aug 19 08:09 AM

[javalover:]

Mickey D's is "o.k." if you get it in the AM; if not, stay away!! The Lord alone knows how long that coffee you get at Mickey D's in the afternoon was sitting under the lights.... DD is too pricy for me, as is all their product line. I just don't like the place itself. Overall, if I'm on the road, I would stick with Starbucks though I wish they'd bring the price down a bit. Frankly, Pilot gas stations has a good (dark) coffee. And, I love my Gevalia at home AND on the road. Why the "home roasters" don't make more of a push in their advertising to "commuters" is a mystery to me. I think a solid ad campaign going after commuters would do a "home brewer" well.

Aug 19 10:46 AM

[Jimbo:]

I have found NO food retailer sells a cup of coffee I would care to drink. I buy roasted beans (they sell green ones too) from ccmcoffee.com. This is a small custom roaster in Tampa that will ship via UPS the same day if they get a call or order in the AM. I prefer the breakfast blend but they have a very large selection. In most restaurants, I drink water or iced tea.

Aug 19 03:17 PM

[mcdinvester:]

Your Taster is the answer on coffee.It's McDonald's for me. Best Coffee . Starbucks is o.k. But over Priced. as a senior 55 and older I enjoy .50 coffee and free refills at McDonald's, every day. What A deal. No wonder I like Micky d's. I might just buy one of these McD. so I can have cheaper coffee. WoW I love their COFFEE.

Aug 20 02:41 AM