Best Coffee Cities, Robust Offerings on National Coffee Day

CHICAGO — Would it surprise anyone that coffee consumption has risen 8% since January 2020, in part due to the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic? That’s a finding from the National Coffee Association’s survey, released ahead of National Coffee Day on Sept. 29. It discovered that each day, 62% of Americans drink coffee, with the average person enjoying three cups.

Americans nationwide drink coffee, of course, but not all java scenes are created equal. To determine the best coffee cities in the United States, WalletHub compared the 100 largest areas across 12 key indicators of “coffee lover-friendliness” and analyzed data including coffee shops, coffee houses and cafes per capita to the average price per pack of coffee.  WalletHub also compiled a list of coffee retailers extending special savings in honor of National Coffee Day.

Here is the WalletHub's top 20 cities for coffee (find the complete list here):

1. Portland, Ore.
2. San Francisco
3. Seattle
4. Orlando, Fla.
5. Pittsburgh
6. Honolulu
7. Tampa, Fla.
8. Miami
9. San Diego
10. Boston
11. Minneapolis
12. Los Angeles
13. Denver
14. Long Beach, Calif.        
15. New Orleans                 
16. Oakland, Calif.
17. Jersey City, N.J.            
18. Washington, DC                         
19. Irvine, Calif.
20. New York

Click through to see more convenience-store deals on this year’s National Coffee Day (also click here to view CSP's 20 Great Coffee Programs for 2021) ...

From noon to close on Wednesday, Sept. 29, Ballston Spa, N.Y.-based Stewart’s Shops is giving away free hot coffee to any customer who uses a refillable mug, up to 32 ounces. Choices include Blueberry Crumble, Maple French Toast and Pumpkin Spice. The deal also includes free iced or cold brew coffee (shop made only). Last year, Stewart’s Shops locations served nearly 78,000 free coffees.

In addition, Stewart’s Shops is partnering with entertainment website Two Buttons Deep to hold a coffee cup decorating contest. The winner of the contest will get a year of free coffee.

Due to supply chain issues, Stewart’s coffee cups are temporarily out of stock, and the retailer is turning this negative into a positive via the contest. Blank coffee cups are available in stores. Watercolors, crayons, colored pencils and other supplies are all options for customers to create their own cups. The winner will be announced on National Coffee Day.

Knoxville, Tenn.-based Pilot Flying J is brewing free cups of coffee for customers to enjoy Sept. 29.

Customers can redeem the limited-time offer in the myRewards Plus app at more than 600 participating U.S. Pilot and Flying J Travel Centers. They can choose from any size dispensed hot, iced or cold brew Pilot coffee.

“While every day is coffee day here at Pilot Flying J, we are excited to celebrate National Coffee Day by offering a free cup of our amazing coffee to our guests,” said Jamie King, senior director of food and beverage. “There are many options for guests to choose from, including our seasonal fall flavors.”

Pilot Flying J offers 11 coffees, including Pilot House, Colombian Fair Trade and fall-inspired flavors such as Cinnabon Pumpkin Spice and Apple Cider cappuccino, Bourbon Pecan coffee, Pumpkin Pie Spice creamer and Apple Pie cold brew.

GPM Investments is giving away a 16-ounce coffee to all fas Rewards loyalty customers to celebrate National Coffee Day.

In addition, fall promotions at GPM stores, which run now through Nov. 2, are:

• Reese’s king size: buy one, get one 50% off; fas Rewards members also get 5 cents off per gallon up to 20 gallons (Connecticut, Missouri and Wisconsin customers will receive $1 in fas Bucks).
• Snickers share size: buy two, get one free; rewards members also get 3 cents off per gallon up to 20 gallons (Connecticut, Missouri and Wisconsin customers will receive 100 bonus points).
• Red Bull, 8.4 ounce: three for $5.50; rewards members get three for $5.
• Advanced hand sanitizer, 60 ml: three for $1; rewards members get four for $1.
• Vish hand soap, 500 ml: 99 cents; rewards members get two for 99 cents.
• Antibacterial wipes, 50 count: 99 cents; rewards members get two for 99 cents.

This fall, rewards members will also receive several exclusive offers:

• A free 16-ounce cappuccino on National Pumpkin Day, Oct. 26.
• Buy one, get one free on Lipton Brisk, 1 liter.
• Free fountain drink with purchase of Combos, 6.3 ounce.

For a limited time only, new fas Rewards members will also receive a free Vish foam hand soap, Vish hand sanitizer and 50-count antibacterial wipes, a $15 value.

In addition, a new green apple Frazil frozen slush is available as are pumpkin cappuccino and pumpkin spice creamer, while supplies last.

Richmond, Va.-based GPM operates or supplies stores in 33 states and Washington, D.C. Brands include Fas Mart, Shore Stop, Scotchman, BreadBox, Young's, Li'l Cricket, Next Door Store, Village Pantry, Apple Market, Jiffi Stop, Admiral, Roadrunner Markets, Jiffy Food Marts, E-Z Mart, 1 Stop,TownStar and ExpressStop.

TXB, Bonham, Texas, is offering loyalty members a coupon for two free small coffees of any variety. Customers can redeem the coupon, valid only on Sept. 29, in the TXB mobile app.

7-Eleven is offering 7Rewards loyalty members one free, any size hot coffee with the purchase of a fresh baked good at participating locations. Stick with a classic such as 7-Reserve premium coffee or try the Irving, Texas-based chain's recently released Fall Pumpkin Coffee or Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Those looking to celebrate at home can enjoy a free extra-large hot coffee with any purchase through 7-Eleven Delivery via the 7NOW app, only on Sept. 29. 7-Eleven customers can order their favorite snacks for delivery and get rewarded with an extra-large hot coffee of their choice. Also, delivery is free Sept. 29 with code FREE4U.

“Our 7-Eleven customers are constantly on the go, so we’re elated to provide two different National Coffee Day deals to ensure they can savor their favorite hot coffee no matter where they are on Sept 29," said Jacob Barnes, proprietary beverages senior product director.

Altoona, Pa.-based Sheetz will offer one free coffee for My Sheetz Rewardz members. This promotion is valid for any size self-serve coffee at all of Sheetz’s 633 locations.

Sheetz coffee features four signature blends with a light to dark progression, freshly ground in every store. Sheetz also offers a full line of made-to-order cappuccinos, lattes, espressos, mochas and more created on traditional Italian espresso machines.

At Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, customers can get any size coffee or hot beverage for $1. When purchases are made through the Love’s Connect app, all proceeds go to Love’s annual Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals campaign. My Love Rewards members can use a free drink refill credit for the purchase, and Love’s will donate $1 on their behalf.

“National Coffee Day is exciting because it’s our chance to reward our customers and improve kids’ health with donations,” said Jenny Love Meyer, executive vice president and chief culture officer of Oklahoma City-based Love’s. “We appreciate our customers who are so generous with donating, even during difficult times.”

Drink options include:

• Signature house or dark roast blend
• Colombian or Brazilian blend
• Rainforest Alliance pumpkin coffee
• Cinnabon pumpkin cappuccino or any cappuccino flavor
• Hot tea