Which Fast Food Chain Actually Has the Best Coffee?
Coffee aficionados may often overlook fast food joints in the quest for their caffeine fix, generally favoring distinctive coffee shops. There exists a prevalent belief that fast food outlets don’t deliver quality coffee, but it’s completely plausible to find a pleasing cup of brew at any well-known food chains.
It may not be the best tasting coffee you’ll ever have but it is decent enough for those who are on-the-go or do not have access to brewing devices or specialty coffee shops.
In this article, I will be recommending fast food chains that I think serve the best coffee. Now, do I think these chains have THE best coffee ever? Of course, not! But if I were to pick the fast food chain that has the best coffee, I would go for McDonald’s.
You may not like some of the ones listed here or you may agree with me. It really depends on your personal preference so let’s get on with the rest of the article!
Which Fast Food Chain has the Best Coffee?
- McDonald’s
– - Dunkin’
– - Starbucks
– - Wendy’s
– - Tim Horton’s
– - Sonic Drive-In
– - Chick-fil-A
1. McDonald’s
You probably associate Mickey D’s with chicken nuggets, fries, hamburgers, and soft serve ice creams. But, McDonald’s also has a wide selection of coffee beverages and McCafé whips up good coffee if I may say so myself.
McDonald’s uses 100% Arabica, medium roasted beans for their brewed coffee which gives their coffee a smooth and rich coffee flavor.
If you don’t like plain black coffee, Mickey D’s also has iced coffee, hot and iced mocha, cappuccinos, lattes, and even blended frappé.
One of my personal favorite coffees to get in McDonald’s is their Iced French Vanilla Coffee. It just has the right amount of coffee flavor and a sweet, creamy vanilla taste. Aside from vanilla, McDonald’s also has other flavored coffee such as hazelnut, caramel, and sugar-free French vanilla.
There are a lot of McDonald’s stores all over the United States and you can definitely get a good cup of Joe if you are in a rush or just want a quick coffee fix.
Fast food drive-thru orders increased by 20% from February 2020 to February 2022 (Source)
2. Dunkin’
The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Dunkin’ is donuts. Well, to be fair, we’ve known the fast food chain to be Dunkin’ Donuts before it rebranded to just Dunkin’.
The company rebranded to put more focus on a beverage-led and on-the-go brand and is keeping up with the rise of coffee and breakfast places.
Now, that is not to say that Dunkin’ has just started serving coffee. Dunkin’ has always sold coffee and is one of the best chains for coffee beverages. The famous donut place uses 100% Arabica coffee beans and Dunkin’ has a specific process for milling and processing their coffee beans.
Dunkin’ has a lot of good coffee options such as iced coffee, cappuccino, macchiato, latte, and more.
Learn what type of cream Dunkin uses in their coffee in my article: What Type of Cream Does Dunkin Use?
3. Starbucks
We can’t talk about fast food chains and coffee without mentioning Starbucks. With a branch on probably every corner of the world, it’s hard not to.
Starbucks probably has the most extensive variety of coffee options from their classic drinks to their secret menu.
Starbucks also offers beverage customization which is something Starbucks lovers appreciate. Even if you don’t like the taste of coffee, Starbucks has a drink for you. Coffee lovers also have the option to visit a Starbucks Reserve for exotic, high-quality coffee that you won’t find at regular Starbucks stores. Some of the best Starbucks Reserve drinks you can order are Affogato, Espresso Macchiato, and Espresso Con Pana.
Starbucks uses 100% Arabica coffee beans that are ethically and sustainably sourced.
Related Artice: Why Starbucks Coffee Tastes Burnt
4. Wendy’s
Another fast food chain that you most likely won’t think of when it comes to coffee is Wendy’s. While Wendy’s does not have an extensive coffee offering, this fast food chain has some of the best hot-brewed coffee using 100% Arabica medium-roasted beans.
Wendy’s also has a decaffeinated hot coffee if you want something gentler on your stomach. If you want something sweet, Wendy’s Caramel Frosty Cream Cold Brew has that rich caramel flavor that goes well with the strong coffee flavor.
Wendy’s also has a cheaper coffee offering compared to other big fast food chains. If you like simple, hot-brewed coffee without breaking the bank, Wendy’s can be a good option for good coffee.
5. Tim Horton’s
One of the most famous fast food chains known for its coffee is Tim Horton’s. While one may argue that Tim Horton’s does not belong to this list, it has some of the best iced coffees that I have tried. The regular iced coffee just has a strong coffee flavor but is not too overpowering and is a great pick-me-up if I want something else other than Starbucks or McDonald’s iced coffee. If you don’t like the taste of coffee, Tim Horton’s Iced French Vanilla is perfect for you.
Tim Horton’s is just a little bit expensive so if you are a fast food coffee drinker, this may just put a dent in your wallet if you order regularly.
6. Sonic Drive-In
This fast food chain is not really known for coffee but it still has good-quality, freshly brewed coffee. If you have a Keurig, you are probably familiar with the Green Mountain brand.
Sonic Drive-In uses Green Mountain Coffee coming from 100% Arabica coffee beans and they brew it, not by using a Keurig, so it gives the coffee a richer flavor.
This fast food chain also doesn’t have an extensive list of coffee beverages so you can choose your coffee quickly without being overwhelmed by a lot of choices. Sonic’s coffee options include premium roast coffee, iced and hot lattes, and Java Chillers. The Java Chillers include flavors such as Hazelnut, Caramel, and Mocha. You can also top it off with whipped cream for an extra treat!
7. Chick-fil-A
Capping off this list is another well-known fast food chain that is known, not for its coffee, but for chicken sandwiches. You might not know it but Chick-fil-A serves decent coffee using Arabica beans that are grown at high altitudes.
Chick-fil-A’s coffee also has a hint of caramel flavor with a nutty finish which is different from other fast food coffee. If you are a coffee lover, the best thing you would probably get on their menu is the iced coffee. It just has the right blend of sweetness and rich coffee flavor perfect for a hot summer day.
Final Thoughts
Fast food chains do not only serve your regular sandwiches, fries, and burgers. They can also serve good-quality coffee. Of course, choosing the fast food chain that serves the best coffee will depend on your personal preference. Each of the fast-food chains on this list all have a unique selection of coffee and you have so many options to choose from.
Whether you prefer a classic brewed coffee or a fancy espresso drink, there’s a fast food chain out there to satisfy your caffeine cravings. If you need a quick caffeine fix on the go, you know where which fast food chain to visit!
