A 7 Brew location in Thomasville, Georgia. Public Area photograph.
Yelp’s annual rating of the fastest-growing manufacturers in the USA underscores the fast ascent of drive-through espresso chains targeted on velocity, comfort and customization of typically closely sweetened drinks.
7 Brew, the Arkansas-born drive-through operator backed by Blackstone, topped the 2026 record with 244% development in shopper curiosity on Yelp, up from its debut at quantity 23 in 2025.
Three different espresso manufacturers joined it within the high 50: Black Rock Espresso Bar at quantity 8, Scooter’s Espresso at quantity 13 and Dutch Bros at quantity 38. The 4 espresso manufacturers within the high 50 match the quantity that appeared in 2025, after three coffee-focused chains appeared within the inaugural 2024 record.
Velocity Catches Up
The similarities among the many espresso manufacturers showing on the 2026 record are placing. All are drive-through-centered manufacturers. All emphasize velocity, customization and what the report calls “peak personalization.”
Starbucks and Dunkin’, which collectively nonetheless dominate the U.S. away-from-home espresso market, don’t seem on the 2026 record. Starbucks ranked quantity 43 in 2025.
Espresso’s rise on the record tracks throughout all three editions. In 2024, Scooter’s Espresso ranked quantity 2 total — the highest-ever placement for a espresso model — whereas 7 Brew didn’t make the record in any respect.
In 2025, Scooter’s fell to quantity 10, 7 Brew appeared at quantity 23, Caribou Espresso at quantity 32 and Starbucks at quantity 43.
U.S. espresso chains by approximate location rely in 2025-26. Information sources embody revealed firm studies, press releases and site knowledge from firm web sites.
‘Soiled Soda’ and Rooster
One development connecting a number of espresso manufacturers and different quick-service manufacturers on this yr’s record is the “soiled soda” — custom-made fountain drinks blended with flavored syrups, cream and fruit. Based on Yelp, searches for “soiled soda” have risen 2,547% because the platform first flagged the format in 2022, together with a 675% soar in 2025 alone.
7 Brew has moved aggressively into the class with its 7 Fizz line, whereas different beverage chains have expanded menus round custom-made vitality drinks, refreshers and soda-style drinks.
Past espresso and drinks, the 2026 record is dominated by rooster, with eight manufacturers together with Bojangles (3), Wingstop (10), Dave’s Scorching Rooster (18) and Zaxbys (22). Yelp attributed the surge in chicken-brand development partially to Individuals’ rising give attention to protein-rich diets.
Yelp’s methodology combines three knowledge factors: internet new enterprise openings; shopper curiosity, measured by Yelp consumer interactions together with web page views, photograph uploads and critiques; and Yelp search quantity. The info is in comparison with the yr previous to again the “quickest rising” designation.
The rating displays momentum on Yelp, not whole market dimension or total shopper share. It additionally displays Yelp’s consumer base and platform exercise.
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