8 growing coffee chains that will take over in 2026

We’re going to let you in on a little secret here: Americans? They like coffee very much. Okay, you can probably hear the sarcasm here, but what might surprise you is how much people in the United States enjoy this drink. Two out of three American adults drink coffee every day, according to data collected by Dig Insights on behalf of the National Coffee Association (or NCA), making it a more popular option than bottled water. In addition, the NCA also noted that specialty coffee is on the rise, with more people mixing up their caffeine fix and opting for more interesting, unique options infused with unconventional ingredients and flavors.

Clearly, people can’t get enough of coffee and want more from their drinks – so it’s no wonder that a host of chains have stepped in to give java fans plenty of options. It seems the coffee industry has never been busier and the days are numbered for dominant chains like Starbucks and Dunkin’, with rising stars like 7 Brew, Dutch Bros and Black Rock Coffee Bar looking like they’re about to take center stage. Elsewhere, smaller names like Bad Ass Coffee and Aroma Joe’s are poised to make their mark. These chains and a few more are set to be everywhere in 2026, and we’ve got them all here.

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7 Brew’s growth has been remarkable to say the least. In 2021, this coffee chain had just 14 locations in the US, and in just a few years, it has grown that number more than thirtyfold, now boasting over 500 locations and stealing the spotlight from Starbucks in the process. Throughout 2025, his momentum seems to have been unstoppable and he has bolstered his businesses with a number of smart deals, especially towards the end of the year. In September, it announced a majority stake acquired by Franchise Equity Partners, which CEO Kendra Burris said will serve to accelerate expansion, according to Global Coffee Report. Then, just a month later, the coffee chain said it had reached a 160-store deal with Flynn Group, the world’s largest franchise group, which would supercharge the brand.

Heading into 2026, 7 Brew looks poised to take over. The coffee concept has hundreds of new stores planned over the next few years, and a few slated for 2026 have already begun. 7 Brew is expected to open new locations in Alabama, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, with the latest facility located in Milwaukee, marking the chain’s first location in the city. If we had to bet, we’d put money on more announcements appearing throughout 2026.

You don’t call your chain Bad Ass Coffee unless you’re sure customers will feel the same way — and judging by how 2026 is shaping up for this brand, we think they do. The Hawaiian coffee chain has been around since 1989, but only in recent years has it finally found its footing. In 2020, it underwent a significant relaunch with the intention of turning it into a true industry disruptor. This reworking seems to have paid off, in a big way: throughout 2025, it opened a number of new stores and signed several new franchise agreements, targeting key markets on the continent in the process.

By 2026, these agreements and its expansion ambitions look set to pay off as Bad Ass Coffee lays serious groundwork for the next few years. The chain is opening new locations in Kentucky, Colorado, South Carolina and Las Vegas. These new stores are far from the only ones planned, with others in its new franchise agreements either set to open after 2026 or still unannounced. Going forward, it looks like Bad Ass Coffee will be a growing presence in the continental US

Aroma Joe’s may not be the biggest coffee chain out there, but give it a few years and that could all change. The chain currently focuses exclusively on the East Coast, with more than 120 locations in eight different states, including a significant foothold in its home state of Maine. 2025 was a big year for the brand, during which it reported significant momentum and a number of store openings, with eight new units up and running by mid-August.

2026 could be the biggest year yet. The franchise model that Aroma Joe’s uses is focused on building quickly and assisting franchisees in getting their businesses up and running, allowing the brand to both push into existing markets and keep an eye on new markets. It looks like it will continue to open new stores in Maine, with an increased presence in places like New Hampshire. Long-term, Aroma Joe’s has its sights set on the Southeast, with expansion planned in states like Georgia and the Carolinas. Dave Tucci, president and COO of Aroma Joe’s, told Franchising Magazine USA that his company is currently planning 500 stores on the East Coast, which speaks to its ambitions as a brand — and could grow even more than that if it keeps pace.

The name on everyone’s lips is set to be Dutch Bros – if it isn’t already. This coffee chain has come a long way from its humble cart origins and has climbed the ranks in recent years, going from 500 stores in 2021 to over 1,000 by the end of 2025. This now makes it one of the biggest players in the country, and in the next few years, it could emerge as a significant rival to Dunkin Starbucks. Dutch Bros achieved this wild growth through a combination of an agile business model, focusing on drive-thru and walk-up sales rather than creating a coffee shop experience, and cultivating a distinct company culture that made it an attractive prospect for customers.

Given the kind of growth the brand has experienced, you’d be a fool to think 2026 would be anything less than extraordinary. QSR reports that Dutch Bros plans to open a whopping 175 stores by the end of the year, increasing its unit stock by nearly 20%. By 2029, they expect to have more than 2,000. It’s also revolutionizing its customer offering in 2026 by taking its breakfast menu national, which will no doubt increase footfall through its doors. With a healthy checkbook and the wind in their sails, Dutch Bros looks set to stay in good hands.

Paris Baguette has had a great 10 years and it’s not over yet. The global chain began franchising in the US in 2015 and has since boasted about 260 locations across the country, with nearly 70 opening in 2025 alone. It’s also been in a near-historic period of comparable sales growth, with November 2025 marking its 19th consecutive quarter of higher sales.

In 2026, it looks like the concept will grow even more. The French-themed bakery chain currently has more than 100 stores in development and hundreds of new franchise deals in early 2025. It aims to open about 150 stores in 2026, Restaurant Dive reported, and hopes to reach 1,000 locations in the States by 2030, aiming to increase its presence in Canada while also aiming to grow presence in Canada. 100 stores in the country by the same year. Paris Baguette’s domestic growth will be supercharged by the construction of a new manufacturing plant in Texas, which will help streamline its supply chains and therefore make expansion easier and more cost-effective. The facility looks set to open and be operational by 2027.

Black Rock Coffee Bar had a busy 2025. The Oregon-based chain has steadily grown its unit inventory, reaching 158 by mid-year, an increase from its 2024 count and the culmination of a robust period of growth in its 17 years in business. However, he had bigger things planned. In September 2025, Black Rock Coffee Bar went public, becoming the first restaurant brand in 2023 to go public and raising a significant amount of money in the process.

With all that firepower, it’s no surprise that this chain has some big ideas about its future moves — and 2026 looks to be a big year for it. Black Rock Coffee Bar is eyeing to grow at an annual rate of 20% through 2027, according to QSR, which should see it reach a total of 215 units by the end of 2026 and 258 by next December. Beyond that, the brand is confident it can reach 1,000 units by 2035. That doesn’t feel like misplaced optimism, and Black Rock is looking more and more like a company worth investing in for savvy operators. Don’t expect this chain to disappear anytime soon.

The Human Bean is a moving chain. This Oregon-born outfit began operations in 1998 and began franchising a few years later, but it’s fair to say it’s been on a growth spurt recently, with a dozen stores open throughout 2025 and a fervent commitment to its brand and new technology development. Its rapid growth is due in part to its nimble drive-thru model, which helps keep costs low and service speed (as long as you know what you want). As 2026 approaches, it looks like it’s only going to get bigger. Human Bean currently has both a presence and expansion plans in nearly two dozen states and has already announced several new openings for the coming year.

These new stores include locations in Lake Elsinore, California and in Laramie, Wyoming, both scheduled to open in early 2026. The Laramie location will be the second in the city and will cover the western side of the area. Beyond that, The Human Bean has invested heavily in its new app, which it likely hopes will drive further business and growth, especially when paired with its new rewards program.

People in the know will be watching Luckin Coffee closely in 2026. Launched in 2017 in China, the chain has continued to grow at a tremendous pace and as of mid-November 2025 boasted nearly 30,000 locations worldwide. However, its presence in the US market was minimal until 2025, in part due to a financial scandal in 2020 that saw the brand delisted from the Stock Exchange.

It all looks set to change very soon, and 2026 could be the year Luckin Coffee finally breaks America. In July 2025, it opened its first two stores in New York City, with more in quick succession. It is now mulling a return to the Nasdaq, and industry watchers anticipate more US locations to follow in 2026. Its share prices are also soaring, with Luckin Coffee up 271% over the past half-decade. If all goes according to plan, this chain could emerge as a true competitor to Starbucks and destroy the famous coffee shop to become everyone’s new go-to for matcha iced lattes.

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