SEATTLE – The popularity of coffeehouses and bakery cafes has spurred the growth of that segment to surpass fast-food restaurants, Bloomberg reports. For example, both Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts have seen same-store sales rise around 3.4%.
According to Technomic, cafes have outpaced all other QSR segments, with sales 9% higher in 2013 than previous years. Those numbers attest to the daily love affair consumers have with coffee. “Cafés continue, in quick service, to provide strong beverage and food options to younger consumers,” said Darren Tristano, an executive vice president at Technomic.
Large chains, such as Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts, are driving this boom. Independent coffee shops had a 6% bump last year, while small chains have not fared as well with a 5.5% decline in 2013 sales.
Meanwhile, Asian and noodle chains, plus Mexican fare restaurants, have experienced more traffic and sales as consumers express more interest in fast-casual restaurants. The Technomic’s ranking of limited-service restaurants last year according to year-over-year sales information also noted the leading chains in each concept.
- Cafés (Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts), up 9.0%
- Bakery Cafés (Au Bon Pain) up 9.0%
- Asian/Noodles (Panda Express, Noodles & Co., Manchu Wok) up 8.5%
- Mexican (Chipotle, Taco Bell) up 6.1%
- Chicken (KFC, Boston Market) up 4%
- Sandwich (Arby’s, Subway) up 4%
- Frozen Desserts (Ben & Jerry’s, Baskin-Robbins) up 3.6%
- Pizza (Domino’s, Papa John’s) up2.3%
- Burger (McDonald’s, Burger King) up 1.5%
- Family Casual (Golden Corral, Old Country Buffet) down 5.5%