Coffee Shops Industry Profile

Companies in this industry sell coffee drinks and other food and beverages for consumption on the premises or for takeout. Major companies include Peet’s Coffee, Starbucks, and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (all based in the US), as well as Caffè Nero and Costa Coffee (both based in the UK).

The biggest US coffee chains operate stores abroad, primarily through licensing agreements. Starbucks owns and licenses more than 35,000 locations worldwide, according to CNBC. The world's largest coffee consumers include Finland, Norway, and Iceland, among other countries, according to WorldAtlas.

The US coffee shop industry includes more than 60,000 stores with combined annual sales of about $40 billion. Coffee shops are part of the specialty eatery industry, which also includes outlets specializing in products such as bagels, donuts, frozen yogurt, and ice cream.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Consumer taste and personal income drive demand. The profitability of individual companies depends on the ability to secure prime locations, drive store traffic, and deliver high-quality products. Large companies have advantages in purchasing, finance, and marketing. Small companies can compete effectively by offering specialized products, serving a local market, or providing superior customer service.

Coffee shops compete with businesses such as convenience stores, gas stations, quick-service and fast-food restaurants, gourmet food shops, and donut shops. The US industry is fragmented: the eight largest companies account for about 30% of revenue.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major products include meals, snacks, and other food ...