Placer.ai: Starbucks, Dunkin' visits rise in Q3
Cooler weather and seasonal offerings led to an increase in store visits for two coffee giants.
Both Starbucks and Dunkin’ outperformed their 2024 traffic levels in the third quarter of 2025, according to new data from retail analytics firm Placer.ai. Starbucks visits rose 0.7% year over year in the third quarter, following slight declines in the first (-1.0%) and second (-0.2%) quarters. Dunkin’ showed a similar trajectory, rebounding from a 1.8% drop in the first quarter to a 1.7% increase in both the second and third quarters.
“These gains suggest that both brands have successfully reignited customer visits heading into the critical holiday season, when limited-time drinks and seasonal marketing tend to drive engagement,” said Shira Petrack, head of content at Placer.ai.
Placer.ai noted that its weekly data for the two chains offers insights into how seasonal offerings fuel traffic. Starbucks’ bear-shaped (Bearista) cup launch – which happened on the same day as the holiday menu rollout – proved to be a major traffic driver, driving visits up 11.9% year over year during the week. The strong visit trends continued the following week with a 6.2% year over year increase, helped by a strong “Red Cup Day” performance.
Meanwhile, Dunkin’s "Wicked" collaboration – also announced alongside its holiday menu rollout – generated traffic boosts as well, with visits up 3.5% to 3.6% year over year during the two weeks following the launch.
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“As competition in the coffee category intensifies, both brands’ early-season success highlights the growing importance of timing and tradition in driving visit growth,” added Petrack.
