Trader Joe’s tops Yelp’s ‘most loved brands’ list
Yelp has released its first-ever list honoring the 50 most loved brands on its platform, as determined by Yelp data.
Trader’s Joe’s took the top spot on Yelp’s “Most Loved Brands” list, followed by specialty bakery Nothing Bundt Cakes and bubble tea outpost Kung Fu Tea. Rounding out the top five: the rapidly-scaling First Watch eatery, which specializes in breakfast and brunch, and hard-surface flooring retailer Floor & Decor.
“Brands that focus on building local communities are well-represented on our list,” said Kadecia Ber, advertising trends expert and director of enterprise solutions at Yelp. “Trader Joe’s and First Watch, for example, make their customers feel like they’re in a local grocery store or diner. The employees know the locals and often go out of their way to help customers —t his is what consumers value and reward.”
Other retailers that made the list included Costco, World Market, Lululemon, Total Wine & More, Insomnia Cookies, Home Goods, Nike, Target, At Home, Marshalls, David’s Bridal, Boot Barn, Nordstrom Rack and Michaels. (See the complete list here.)
To uncover how preferences vary by region, Yelp took a look at the most popular of the most loved brands and ranked them state-by-state. Quick-serve chain Smoothie King (No. 47 on the overall list) was the most regionally represented brand, earning the title as the most loved brand in six states, including Arizona, Kansas, New York, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Fast-growing sandwich brand Jersey Mike’s Subs (No. 21) trailed close behind as the second most regionally represented restaurant brand, showing up as the most loved brand in four states, including Arkansas, Minnesota, Montana and Texas.
For retailers, Michaels (No.50) rang in as the most loved brand in five states, including Connecticut, Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico and South Dakota, closely followed by Home Goods (No. 22), which nabbed the top spot in four states, including Illinois, New Hampshire, Ohio and Oregon, and Marshalls, the top brand in Indiana, Kentucky, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Methodology
Yelp’s most loved brands were determined by looking at restaurant, food and retail brands with more than 200 locations across 25-plus states in the United States with 500-plus reviews and at least one review for every two locations in 2022. To rank the most loved brands, Yelp assigned each brand a loyalty score, which consists of the brands’ 2022 review rating along with the percentage of business page views by returning visitors.
Yelp said the brands that made the list demonstrate the qualities Yelp users value most, including affordability, great customer service, and high-quality products.