Starbucks coffee was voted the best coffee of any food service chain, according to a survey conducted by Zagat, the well-known localized restaurant guidebook publisher. More than 6,000 people participated in the voting, which placed Starbucks at number one, beating out coffee from Dunkin' Donuts, Peet's Coffee and Tea, and McDonald's, which came in second, third, and fourth, respectively.
Survey participants were to choose from 28 chain restaurants listed among the Quick Refreshment Category, which is defined by Zagat as being "national counter-service chains where coffee, ice cream, frozen yogurt or smoothies are the featured offering." Besides the businesses listed above, others in the running for best coffee included Cold Stone Creamery, Ben and Jerry's Scoop Shop, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and Jamba Juice. Starbucks was also voted the best in the overall Quick Refreshment Category while Dunkin Donuts came in its second second-place finish.
