Costa Coffee vs Starbucks: food hygiene compared
Of the branches on record, Starbucks has the higher share of 5-star (Very Good) ratings — 100% versus 95% for Costa Coffee, a 5-point gap. This ranks the FSA sample GeraEats holds, not every outlet.
Side by side (June 2026)
| Measure | Costa Coffee | Starbucks |
|---|---|---|
| Branches on recordThe FSA sample GeraEats holds — not the full national estate | 41 | 21 |
| Rated 5 (Very Good)Share of RATED branches with the top FSA rating | 38 (95%) | 19 (100%) |
| Rated 2 or below"Improvement necessary" — lower is better | 2 (5%) | 0 (0%) |
| Mean ratingAverage across rated branches on record | 4.83 / 5 | 5.00 / 5 |
| Local authorities coveredDistinct councils the sampled branches span | 37 | 18 |
Percentages are of RATED branches on record. The FSA directory samples the highest- and lowest-rated premises per local authority, so these figures describe the sample GeraEats holds, not a representative national average. Check any specific branch at ratings.food.gov.uk.
Costa Coffee
41 branches on record, 95% rated 5 (Very Good), mean 4.83/5.
Full Costa Coffee hygiene ratings →Starbucks
21 branches on record, 100% rated 5 (Very Good), mean 5.00/5.
Full Starbucks hygiene ratings →Frequently asked questions
Is Costa Coffee or Starbucks cleaner?
Across the FSA branches GeraEats holds, Starbucks has the higher share of 5-star (Very Good) ratings: 100% of 19 rated branches versus 95% of 40 for Costa Coffee. This is a sample, not every UK outlet — always check a specific branch on the FSA site before you order.
What does the food hygiene rating mean?
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) rates premises 0 (urgent improvement necessary) to 5 (very good) based on food handling, the condition of the premises, and food safety management at inspection. It reflects hygiene standards on the day of inspection, not food quality or taste.
How many Costa Coffee and Starbucks branches did you check?
This comparison covers 41 Costa Coffee branches and 21 Starbucks branches on record at GeraEats (June 2026), across 37 and 18 UK local authorities respectively. The FSA directory samples the highest- and lowest-rated premises per area, so this is a sample rather than the full national estate.
Where does this data come from?
Every rating is a real FSA Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) record from ratings.food.gov.uk, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. No rating is modelled or invented.
Check any specific outlet
Ratings vary branch to branch. Look up the exact premises before you order.
Related comparisons
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Food hygiene ratings are sourced from the Food Standards Agency at ratings.food.gov.uk. Ratings reflect the most recent inspection on record and may have changed since publication.