Are There More Starbucks or Dunkin' in the US? A Data-Driven Breakdown

Starbucks vs Dunkin': The Definitive Location Comparison

Are there more Starbucks or Dunkin' in the United States? The answer is clear: Starbucks leads with 13,502 locations compared to Dunkin's 9,686 — a gap of 3,816 stores. Starbucks has 39% more US locations than its coffee rival and operates in every state plus Washington, D.C., while Dunkin' is absent from seven states entirely.

But location count only scratches the surface. When you dig into geographic distribution, revenue per store, and regional dominance using StatsPanda's Location Intelligence Tool, the Starbucks vs Dunkin' rivalry reveals two fundamentally different strategies for conquering the American coffee market.

Head-to-Head: Starbucks vs Dunkin' by the Numbers

Where Each Chain Dominates: Top States Compared

The geographic story of Starbucks vs Dunkin' is really a story of West Coast vs East Coast. Starbucks dominates the western United States, with California alone housing 2,500 locations. Dunkin' is a Northeast powerhouse, with New York (1,400) and Massachusetts (1,019) forming its stronghold.

A few standout observations from the state-by-state

• California is Starbucks country — With 2,500 locations, California has more Starbucks than Dunkin' has in its top two states combined
• New York is the only battleground — It's the only state that appears in both chains' top five, and Dunkin' leads there decisively (1,400 vs 578)
• Florida is contested territory — Both chains rank it in their top three, with Dunkin' holding a 181-location advantage (944 vs 763)
• Washington state shows Starbucks' roots — Starbucks has 529 locations in its home state; Dunkin' has zero

The 7 States Where Dunkin' Doesn't Exist

Dunkin' is absent from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, and Washington — states where Starbucks has a combined 700+ locations. This gap reflects Dunkin's franchise-driven expansion model, which has historically concentrated growth in the Northeast and Southeast rather than pursuing nationwide coverage.

For Starbucks, the company-operated store model allows expansion into smaller or less proven markets. Starbucks operates in all 51 state-level jurisdictions, giving it a meaningful geographic advantage in brand ubiquity.

Revenue: Why Starbucks Earns More Per Cup

The revenue gap between Starbucks and Dunkin' is even wider than the location gap. Starbucks generates an estimated $1.9 million per location annually, compared to Dunkin's $1.1 million — a 73% premium. Several factors drive this:

• Higher average ticket — Starbucks' average transaction is $9.20 vs Dunkin's $6.50, reflecting Starbucks' premium positioning and food menu
• Longer dwell times — Starbucks cafes encourage sit-down visits, driving add-on purchases; Dunkin' is optimized for speed and drive-thru
• Merchandise and retail — Starbucks generates additional revenue from packaged coffee, tumblers, and retail products
• Company-operated premium — Starbucks retains the full revenue from company-operated stores, while Dunkin's franchise model means franchise royalties represent a fraction of store-level revenue

The total estimated US revenue comparison: Starbucks at $25.7 billion versus Dunkin' at $10.7 billion. Starbucks generates 2.4x Dunkin's revenue from only 1.4x as many locations.

The Bottom Line: Starbucks vs Dunkin'

• More Starbucks — 13,502 vs 9,686 (39% more locations)
• Broader reach — Starbucks covers all 51 state jurisdictions; Dunkin' covers 44
• Higher revenue per store — $1.9M vs $1.1M (73% more per Starbucks)
• Different strategies — Starbucks prioritizes premium experience and company control; Dunkin' prioritizes speed, value, and franchise expansion
• Regional loyalties run deep — Dunkin' dominates the Northeast; Starbucks owns the West Coast