Starbucks Is Officially The Holiday Meet

Starbucks Is Officially The Holiday Meet

  • A new Dating News survey reports that Starbucks is Americans’ top chain for a holiday “meet-cute,” with Dunkin’ ranking especially high among Gen Z in the Northeast.
  • Surveyed singles say they frequently encounter potential partners at chain restaurants and major retailers, with Olive Garden, The Cheesecake Factory, and Target emerging as standout spots.
  • Regional preferences vary widely, from Texas Roadhouse and Outback Steakhouse in the South to Best Buy and Applebee’s in the Midwest, reflecting how local dining and shopping habits shape romantic run-ins.

We’re heading into peak rom-com season, when plenty of Americans have visions of sugarplums — and Hallmark-style meet-cutes — swirling in their heads.

If you’re hoping for one of those IRL, Starbucks may be your best bet. According to a new survey from Dating News, the coffee giant is the top spot to meet a romantic partner during the holidays. The report asked 1,000 Americans about the best places to fall in love, offering a snapshot of which chains feel most “romantic” right now. Massachusetts-based rival Dunkin’ follows closely behind Starbucks as a coffee date favorite, with 42.7% of Gen Z naming it a second-choice place to meet a potential sweetheart.

The survey, conducted in November, balanced responses across gender, age, and region. Among singles, 67% say they’ve met a potential romantic partner at a chain restaurant — though the success rate of those encounters remains a mystery. Whether that reflects real-life experience, movie tropes, or Starbucks’ push to revive its cozy “third place” identity is unclear. What is clear: Americans are falling for each other in plenty of other chain-heavy settings, too.

So, where are you most likely to meet a partner if you’re not already in line for a latte?

Roughly 41% of respondents consider Olive Garden the next-best place to meet someone cute — perhaps over a Lady and the Tramp–style spaghetti moment — with the Cheesecake Factory close behind at 38.3%. Bottomless breadsticks and towering slices of cheesecake apparently have their charms.

On the retail side, Americans say chance encounters are most likely to happen during Target runs. A striking 59% of respondents say the big-box retailer has the “most attractive” shoppers, with Walmart, Macy’s, and the Apple Store following behind. In other words, your “just running in for one thing” trip might double as a first-date scouting mission.

Regional romance rules apply, too. While Starbucks is No. 1 in most states, the runners-up vary by region. In the Northeast, Dunkin’ ranks higher than anywhere else. On the West Coast, people say they’re most likely to meet a date at mall-adjacent anchors like Cheesecake Factory, Olive Garden, or Applebee’s. In the South, Texas Roadhouse (37.2%) and Outback Steakhouse (36.7%) stand out as top choices for first-date vibes — think peanut shells on the floor and plenty of steak sauce.

In the Midwest, 35% of respondents consider Best Buy shoppers the most attractive. Applebee’s puts in another strong showing there, impressing 26.8% of those surveyed.

No chain can guarantee a love story, of course — but based on this survey, your odds might be a little better if you order a latte, grab some breadsticks, or wander the Target aisles. Consider it one excuse to linger over dessert or take the long way around the store.

Top chains to meet a romantic partner, according to Dating News’ survey

  • Starbucks (65% of Americans deem it a good “meet-cute” spot)
  • Olive Garden (38%)
  • The Cheesecake Factory (37%)
  • Texas Roadhouse (33%)
  • Outback Steakhouse (33%)

Disclaimer: This news article has been republished exactly as it appeared on its original source, without any modification.
We do not take any responsibility for its content, which remains solely the responsibility of the original publisher.

Author:Nicolette Baker
Published on:2025-12-04 16:01:00
Source: www.foodandwine.com


Disclaimer: This news article has been republished exactly as it appeared on its original source, without any modification.
We do not take any responsibility for its content, which remains solely the responsibility of the original publisher.


Author: uaetodaynews
Published on: 2025-12-04 21:31:00
Source: uaetodaynews.com

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