9 Top Coffee Chains To Work For In America

No matter what your favorite chain may be, each provides a signature drink, food, and/or overall atmosphere that sets it apart from the rest.

Debates over which coffee chains make the best coffee and pastries never seems to cease, but how much do we know about the experiences of the people serving them? Have you ever stopped to think about how employees fare at your favorite chain? We have, and we decided to look into it.

In order to find which coffee chains in America value their employees most, we considered a number of things: employee discounts and perks, health benefits and insurance packages, vacation time and flexibility of hours, and finally, company culture. We would have factored in pay, but most chains pay the same thing: minimum wage where they're located.

To find coffee chain perks, we pulled information from job-ranking sites like Indeed and Glassdoor. We also dug deep into each company's career pages and employee policy statements.

Read on to see where your favorite chain ranks on our list of best coffee chains to work for in America.

Apparently, the health benefits at Seattle's Best Coffee are essentially nonexistent. Many former employees have complained about how hard it is to qualify for coverage. Additionally, if you work at Seattle's Best, your hours are based on sales. If you can't sway your customer to buy a bag of the "Born In Seattle" brew as you prepare their cup to go, you'll be given fewer hours, resulting in less pay. Though you can enjoy a free drink here and there, the lack of hours and benefits landed Seattle's Best last on our list — ironic, considering that its parent company, Starbucks, fared so much better.

In 2012, Caribou Coffee went private. According to current and former employees, this caused a shift in the company culture, making it a less enjoyable place to work. On the upside, working at Caribou gets you a 30 percent employee discount and a free half-pound of coffee every week. If you're willing to forgo a fun atmosphere for some free java, this could be the spot for you.

The biggest complaint from Dunkin' Donuts employees seemed to be about the way they're treated once their shift has ended. The Dunkin' Donuts staff receives free coffee and discounted pastries all throughout their shift, but once they're off the clock, it's a totally different story. The employee discount at Dunkin Donuts is only 10 percent, and if you're not working, the coffee isn't free. Benefits only apply to those who work over 28 hours per week.

At this chain, employees receive a $15 Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf voucher every month to spend on anything they'd like in-house. In addition, they get a 33 percent discount on all Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf products, with free coffee and tea whenever they'd like. Worried about benefits? If you work over 28 hours each week, you're eligible for health and dental insurance. Many say this is a good short term gig, suitable for a student or someone seeking work in-between full time positions.

Staff at Tully's gets a $30 Tully's voucher each month and free coffee whenever they want. Though some complain it's hard to switch your shifts around or get time off, those who work 28 hours or more each week are eligible for health insurance. Employees have also claimed that the work environment here is more relaxed than it is at Starbucks, and that they are overall happier than employees of that chain — but this could be a reflection of the well-known rivalry between the two chains.

Dutch Bros. Coffee takes pride in providing a fun, laid-back, all-arouond enjoyable work environment for its employees. If you work at Dutch Bros., the hours are flexible, the environment is fast-paced, and the coffee is free. In regards to other perks, Dutch Bros. seems to lack health benefits and insurance coverage. That being said, many employees admit most of the staff members aren't seeking long-term positions.

Need a vacation? If you work at Peet's, it's not a problem. At Peet's, there's flexible hours and plenty of vacation time (up to two weeks). Working 21 hours per week here will get you medical and dental insurance, vision benefits, and a 401k plan. Part-time (under 21 hours) work has its perks, too, for all employees at Peet's have access to a free pastry every shift, unlimited free coffee 24/7, and a free half-pound of your favorite blend every week.

If there's anything Tim Hortons takes seriously (besides hearty breakfast food and delicious coffee, of course), it's time off. Working at Tim Hortons will get you 3 weeks' vacation and two personal days. In addition, you get 50 percent off food during shifts, free coffee, and full health benefits. Finally, family-friendly insurance plans are available for those who work full-time (over 28 hours per week).

Ah, Starbucks. Where do we begin? For their employees, Starbucks created a unique work perk package called "Your Special Blend." Those who work 20 or more hours a week at Starbucks are eligible for special bonuses, a 401k plan, discounted stock purchase options, a 30 percent in-store and online discount, and one free pound of coffee and a box of tea each week. Think that's good? In early 2015, Starbucks paired with Arizona State to create the Starbucks College Achievement Plan. This is an opportunity for employees to complete a bachelor's degree online with full tuition reimbursement for every year of college through the university. The company just announced that it is extending the benefits to the spouses and children of military veterans who work for Starbucks.