Business owners looking to start in the coffee industry will be happy to hear that it is thriving. That said, it’s still important to have a solid understanding of the market to ensure your success. I’ve researched the industry and compiled a list of 19 coffee statistics that provide insight into various aspects of the overall market, specific products, and certain business trends.
General Coffee Statistics
This first section of coffee stats covers the coffee industry at a high level. It is meant to provide insights on various small business market trends and average figures for expenses and startup costs.
1. Coffee consumption is at an all-time high
Americans are consuming more coffee than ever before, and this trend is expected to continue. According to the National Coffee Association (NCA), the number of Americans who have had coffee in the past 24 hours has increased by 37% in the last 20 years.
This increased level of consumption is seen across multiple age groups. It’s driven primarily by consumers over the age of 25, with consumers aged between 25 and 39 and between 40 and 59 both seeing increases of 4.5%. Consumers aged 60-plus also saw an increase in consumption by 9%, while consumption by 18- to 24-year-olds remained relatively unchanged.
2. Europe and North America have the largest global coffee market share
Coherent Market Insights compiled a report covering various aspects of the coffee industry. It found that Europe had a nearly 36% share of the global coffee market, with North America at approximately 23%. These two markets were followed by the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East and Africa, and South America, respectively.
Contributing factors to coffee’s dominance in those regions include cafe culture, disposable income, food service outlets, consumer willingness and interest in specialty coffees, and ease of gaining access to materials needed for coffee products.
3. The global market for coffee is projected to continue growing
Overall, the global coffee market has shown an increasing trend in popularity with consumers over the past 20 years, and that trend is expected to continue. According to Mordor Intelligence, the global coffee market is expected to grow at a rate of 4.72% by 2029, primarily driven by the thriving culture of consuming coffee. In the US, the coffee market is estimated to grow 5.4% through 2030, per Grand View Research.
4. There are more than 77,500 coffee shops in the US
Statista reports that as of 2024, there are around 77,500 coffee shop businesses, including both independent coffee shops and cafe chains, employing approximately 900,000 individuals. Starbucks was the largest coffee chain in the US, with over 16,000 locations nationwide in 2023. Other leading coffee chains include Dunkin’, Dutch Bros Coffee, and Tim Hortons.
5. In the US, coffee consumption is highest on the West Coast
When the NCA surveyed Americans on whether they had consumed coffee in the past day, most regions throughout the US exhibited similarly high rates. However, the West Coast region showed a slightly higher rate of 69%. The Northeast region placed second, with 68% of individuals surveyed having consumed coffee in the past day, followed by the South and Midwest regions at 66% and 65%, respectively.
6. The average cost to start a coffee shop ranges from $80,000 to $300,000
According to data from Toast, the average cost to open a coffee shop is between $80,000 and $300,000. Costs include construction, furniture, marketing, equipment, and other working capital items. More upfront capital investment would be needed for multiple locations or additional inventory.
7. The median pay for food and beverage workers is around $30,000 per year
Employees who work at a coffee shop fall under the category of food and beverage workers. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median pay for these workers is $29,710 per year. The BLS also projects a growth rate of 5% from 2023 through 2033, which is slightly higher than the projected average growth rate of all occupations of 4%.
Business owners considering starting a coffee shop can consider these figures when budgeting for payroll expenses and the available supply of workers.
8. Customers frequently order coffee through a drive-thru
As reported by the New York Times, drive-thrus have become more popular in recent years, showing a growth of around 30% between 2019 and 2022. That trend is expected to continue as customers look for faster, more convenient ways to get their coffee. For instance, Starbucks noted in an August 2022 earnings call that approximately 67% of its orders are placed via a drive-thru, mobile app, or a delivery service.
If you’re considering a coffee shop as a startup, consider adding a drive-thru to capture these sales.
Specific Coffee Product Statistics
If you’re confident about the direction of the coffee industry as a whole, this next section of statistics will touch on specific product trends that you might be able to use to boost your sales.
9. Coffee customers feel the product helps boost their productivity
Amerisleep surveyed 1,008 individuals on how they felt coffee impacted their productivity during the day. Although slightly subjective, an overwhelming majority of respondents indicated that they felt significantly more productive after having had caffeine. Productivity levels fell under five categories: extremely productive, moderately productive, somewhat productive, slightly productive, and not at all productive.
In summary, about half of the individuals surveyed felt moderately productive after consuming caffeine, with about 25% feeling extremely productive.
10. More than one-third of coffee drinkers purchased coffee out of home
Despite the increasing popularity of more affordable at-home coffee products, many consumers still purchase coffee outside the home. According to the NCA, 35% of past-day drinkers had coffee outside the home. As mentioned in prior coffee stats, this can be attributed to things like the customer demand for convenience and products on the go.
11. Coffee is commonly consumed in transit
Per the same NCA study, 15% of coffee drinkers typically drank their beverages in transit, the most out of any other category. Other common places included the workplace and eating places, at 13% and 9%, respectively. As a business owner, knowing these statistics may influence the location you choose to set up your coffee shop.
12. More than 80% of Americans consume their drinks during breakfast
Data from the NCA shows that 84% of Americans have coffee with breakfast to start their day, which is a significantly larger figure than any other time of the day. With that being said, there is still a significant number of individuals who drink their coffee after breakfast. About 35% were reported to have it midmorning, 17% with lunch, 22% in the afternoon, and then 7% and 10% for dinner and late evening hours.
As a business owner, being aware of these figures may help with scheduling staff at appropriate times throughout the day to meet customer demand.
13. Lattes, espressos, and cappuccinos are the most popular specialty coffees
When surveyed about what types of coffee were consumed, over half of Americans had recently drank a specialty coffee, according to the NCA. The most popular types of specialty coffees were lattes, espressos, and cappuccinos. So, be sure to include these on your menu.
14. Drip coffee remains the most popular preparation method
Out of the various preparation methods for coffee, the NCA found that drip coffee makers were the most popular, making up 37% of preparation methods used in the past day. This was followed by single-cup brewers at 28%, ready-to-drink at 15%, espresso machines at 10%, and instant coffee at 8%.
Of those figures, the most notable is the ready-to-drink category. Although not currently the most popular method, it has nearly doubled since 2023 alone.
15. Hot coffee remains an overwhelming favorite vs cold coffee
Spring 2024 data collected by the NCA found that coffee drinkers still strongly preferred hot coffee over cold even in warmer weather months. Eighty percent of coffee orders placed in the past day were for hot coffee, up 7% from summer 2023. Consumers still have an overall positive view of cold brew, with nearly three in four coffee drinkers giving it an overall positive rating.
Demographics Statistics
This last section of coffee statistics touches on just a few aspects of the demographics that purchase coffee. This handful of statistics will deal with the groups that purchase coffee and popular coffee types among these groups.
16. Employees in finance and insurance spend the most on coffee
Amerisleep surveyed 1,008 individuals who drink caffeinated beverages such as coffee and found that those in the finance and insurance industry typically spent more than any other line of work. These individuals reported spending $709 annually at coffee shops, followed by wholesale and retail workers at $592 annually. Workers in construction and transportation/warehousing reported spending the least on coffee at $161 and $145 annually.
17. Individuals between the ages of 25 and 34 spend the most on coffee
Out of various age groups surveyed by Amerisleep, those between the ages of 25 and 34 spent the most on coffee. This group reported spending $2,008 a year on coffee. Individuals aged 35 to 44 spent the next most at $1,410 per year. All other age groups spent a noticeably lower amount on coffee, with the next highest group reportedly spending just $374 annually.
18. Women reported spending approximately 20% more on coffee than men
Similar to how there were differences in spending among those working in different industries and different age groups, Amerisleep also found that women reported spending around $2,327 a year on coffee vs $1,934 for men.
19. Hot coffee is generally the most popular choice regardless of industry
Amerisleep’s study of 1,008 coffee drinkers found that the industry someone works in is something that could impact their drink of choice. Out of eight industries surveyed, hot coffee was the top drink of choice in five, while cappuccino topped the list for two, and iced coffee topped the list for just one line of work.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
These are the most common questions we hear about statistics about coffee. Expand the sections below to explore more.
Yes. According to a Spring 2024 survey conducted by the National Coffee Association, 67% of Americans had consumed coffee in the past day. By comparison, 63% had bottled water, 51% had tap water, and 47% had tea.
A study conducted by Amerisleep found that individuals between the ages of 25 and 34 spent the most on coffee at around $2,008 annually. This was followed by the 35- to 44-year-old group at $1,410 per year.
According to a study conducted by the NCA, 84% of Americans have coffee with breakfast. This was followed by midmorning coffee drinkers at just 35%.
Bottom Line
As shown by the statistics above, choosing a coffee shop as a startup can be very lucrative. By the same token, knowing the current coffee trends can help boost sales and ensure you start off on the right foot when starting your business. Being aware of the statistics listed above for things like demographics, popular coffee products, and the overall industry as a whole can help you make informed decisions when it comes to things like marketing, selecting a business location, budgeting, and more.
