Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
And The Most Ubiquitous Chain Store In NYC Is...
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 23, 2014
Modified Dec 23, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Getty Images
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 23, 2014
Modified Dec 23, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
As you finish up your holiday shopping, just consider some stats from the Center for an Urban Future, like this one: "There are now 16 retailers with more than 100 stores across the city." Topping that list is Dunkin Donuts, with 536 stores. At least one had a very bad rat problem this year.
That's up from 515 stores in 2013. Following Dunkin Donuts is Subway with 468 locations; then it's Duane Reade/Walgreens (with 318 stores); metroPCS (294); Starbucks (280); McDonalds (244); Baskin Robbins (210); Rite Aid (201); T-Mobile (185); and GNC (156). And, prepare to not be shocked: "Starbucks has more stores in Manhattan than any other national retailer, with 205 locations." Also:
This year the 10001 zip code in Midtown/Koreatown that is home to the Manhattan Mall is tied with 10314, home of the Staten Island Mall, as the zip codes with the largest number of national retailer locations in the city. Each of these has 180 national retailer locations. Other zip codes with large numbers of retailers include 10003 in Manhattan’s East Village (164 locations) and 10036 in Midtown West (150 locations). Brooklyn Heights 11201 is tied with 11234, home to Kings Plaza Shopping Center in Flatlands for the zip code with the largest number of chain stores of any zip code in Brooklyn (145 locations). In Queens, the Corona/Elmhurst zip code that is home to the Queens Center Mall, 11373 has the highest number of chain stores in that borough, and in the Bronx, Parkchester (10462) has the highest number of chain stores of any zip code in that borough (90).
Take a look at this map at the chain store saturation:
Via Center for an Urban Future
Aside from that, all boroughs, save Staten Island, "experienced net increases in the number of national retailers, with Queens seeing the largest year-over-year percentage increase in the number of chain stores." Since last year, the number of national chains in Queens increased by 6.4%; Bronx had a 4.2% increase, while Brooklyn's chain presence grew by 3.4% and Manhattan only had a 0.4% increase.
You can read the whole report here (PDF). One of the notable chains to add many stores is Urban Outfitters, which now has 14 locations—up from 10 last year—including its mega-store in Williamsburg with a bar/restaurant.
Tagged
center for an urban future
chain store
dunkin' donuts
starbucks
urban outfitters
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Retired NYPD detective charged with murder in George Washington Bridge shooting
Police say a Rockland County man was fatally shot during what appeared to be a road rage incident on Tuesday night.
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 21, 2026 at 4:26 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 21, 2026 at 5:43 p.m. ET
NYPD officer faces disciplinary trial 10 years after killing Delrawn Small
Officer Wayne Isaacs will go on trial in January on a charge that he used improper force when he shot and killed Delrawn Small in East New York in July 2016.
By
Ben Feuerherd
News
NYPD officer faces disciplinary trial 10 years after killing Delrawn Small
Officer Wayne Isaacs will go on trial in January on a charge that he used improper force when he shot and killed Delrawn Small in East New York in July 2016.
By
Ben Feuerherd
NYC adult daycare operators charged with committing over $500K in Medicaid fraud
By
Caroline Lewis
Port Authority eyes $117M fix to Manhattan roadway where falling debris smashed cars
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Bronx couple starved their 3-year-old to death, indictment says
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .