In recent years, cafes have become popular check-in spots thanks to their unique locations and exquisite decor, but the management challenges that come with this have also sparked controversy. A cliffside cafe facing the sea in Cangnan County, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, has been questioned by some visitors for requiring them to scan a code and make a purchase before being allowed onto the viewing platform to take photos. Why did the shop set this threshold? And what is the attitude of netizens? This article sorts through the whole incident and explores how viral cafes can find a balance between foot traffic and business operations. [more…]

Coffee consumption is growing at an average annual rate of 15%, freeze-dried instant coffee accounts for nearly 70% of China's coffee market, yet the closure rate of physical coffee shops exceeds 80%. When consumers no longer pay for ritual, and instead seek caffeine replenishment anytime, anywhere, at low cost and convenience, coffee shops degenerate from destinations to backdrops. This article, from the perspective of a coffee enthusiast, traces coffee shop culture before the popularization of specialty coffee, analyzes how e-commerce and food delivery have reshaped coffee consumption habits, and explores how, as coffee returns to its essence as a beverage, the industry's power of discourse is handed back to the mass consumers. [more…]

Shanghai, a city deeply steeped in coffee culture, is refreshing the global record for the number of coffee shops at an astonishing pace. As of June 2022, the city had 7,857 coffee shops, not only firmly ranking first in China in terms of quantity, but also surpassing international metropolises such as New York, London, and Tokyo to become the city with the most coffee shops in the world. Yet behind this numerical growth lie both the rapid expansion of specialty coffee brands fueled by capital and the reality of small shops struggling to survive under the impact of the pandemic. From 867 new additions in 2021, to a slowdown in the pace of openings in the first half of 2022, and then to the industry regaining momentum in the second half, what kind of resilience and challenges has Shanghai's coffee market shown? This article will combine the latest data and industry cases to analyze the driving forces and hidden concerns behind the counter-trend growth of Shanghai's coffee industry. [more…]

Korean singer Lee Hyori and her husband Lee Sang-soon opened a café on Jeju Island, and within just three days of opening, it sparked discontent among nearby café owners as fans queued for hundreds of meters and products sold out in 12 minutes. Former ruling party lawmaker Jeon Yeo-ok publicly criticized their star effect for squeezing the survival space of local cafés. Lee Sang-soon later responded that opening the shop was purely a personal decision, and that they would switch to a reservation system and step back into a behind-the-scenes role. The incident reflects the double-edged effects of celebrity side businesses in the coffee industry: they can boost the surrounding commercial area, but may also struggle to last due to excessive enthusiasm and a gap in quality. This article sorts out the whole course of the incident and explores the operational dilemmas and possible paths forward for celebrity coffee shops. [more…]

A café located inside a Singapore museum, partially open-air, was fenced off at night only with barriers and ropes—yet a 48-year-old man climbed in multiple times to spend the night. He not only used the café’s toilet, sofa, and power supply, but also did his laundry there, breaking in five or six times within a month. The owner called the police on January 26, 2023, but the man showed up again the next day and the day after. He later moved on to a nearby gym and was finally recognized and arrested on April 10 this year. Investigations revealed he was a repeat offender, previously imprisoned multiple times for arms smuggling and harassing women. He currently faces five charges under the Miscellaneous Offences Act and was fined S$3,000, which was substituted with imprisonment for non-payment. Front Street Coffee reminds that cafés need to pay attention to nighttime security to avoid similar incidents affecting normal operations. [more…]

The internet has enabled the rapid spread of video tutorials and helped a wave of viral coffee creations stand out from "homemade coffee." Creative drinks such as Saturn Coffee, Waterfall Americano, Lava Iced Americano, and 400 Times Coffee have gone viral as netizens spontaneously recreate and share them, and have since been adopted by many cafés. These coffees often do not rely on a high technical threshold, but place particular emphasis on visual presentation—catching the eye first, then winning over the palate. Students born after 2000 have taken homemade coffee to new heights, using coffee liquid and freeze-dried powder paired with convenience store drinks and syrups to achieve low-cost coffee freedom in their dormitories. Against the backdrop of the pandemic and rising prices, the cost-effectiveness of homemade coffee has become more prominent. Although there is still a gap in flavor compared with professional cafés, it also confirms that coffee is accelerating its integration into daily life. [more…]

If you're looking for a place to relax on the weekend, gather a few friends for coffee and some reading, a café is undoubtedly a great choice. These ten highly regarded themed cafés in Chongqing each have their own charm—some are tucked away in lush flower houses, some offer views of the Yuzhong Peninsula's night skyline, some take an industrial-meets-artsy-minimalist approach, and others create a fairyland atmosphere with seas of flowers and greenery. From Longhu Times Paradise Walk to Jiefangbei, Nanbin Road, and Beibin Road, these shops each have their own signature offerings in environment, drinks, and desserts. This article compiles each café's features, average per-person spending, and detailed addresses, making it easy for coffee lovers to explore them one by one. If you're used to brewing your own, Front Street Coffee's beans are also a great choice for recreating these flavors at home. [more…]

Recently, a trendy café in Fuzhou, Fujian, became the center of online attention due to seven in-store rules posted at its entrance. The rules include prohibitions on standing to take photos, using flash, changing outfits for photoshoots, and all photography equipment; customers must agree to these terms before entering and making purchases. Some consumers reported that the café attracted traffic on social media by marketing itself as "photo-friendly," but upon arrival, they were told flash photography was not allowed, and even had disagreements with staff over the per-person ordering rule. The café responded that excessive posing for photos disrupts other customers' dining experience, and tables and chairs were damaged due to being moved around casually, so the rules were established to maintain the dining environment. Netizens have mixed opinions: some consider the rules reasonable as a matter of mutual choice, while others criticize the merchant's tone as too forceful. Front Street Coffee reminds that cafés, as public spaces, require mutual understanding from both sides to balance photography needs and dining experience. [more…]

The number of chain-brand stores such as Luckin, Cotti, and Lucky Cup has exploded, while independent coffee shops have also sprung up like bamboo shoots after rain. Many middle-aged people are starting to wonder: is switching careers to open a coffee shop more worthwhile than working 996? Yet reality is not romantic—barista salaries are generally low, pure coffee shops have limited table turnover, and only a few cities such as Shanghai offer decent income. Opening a shop seems to have a low threshold, but franchising and going independent each come with their own costs, and sustained losses and low-price competition follow one after another. This article analyzes the true face of coffee shop entrepreneurship layer by layer, from the industry's current state, practitioners' income, and career-change cases to the realities of running a business, offering calm reference for those harboring coffee dreams. [more…]

After the pandemic, remote work has gradually become the norm, and many people treat cafés as their second office. As long as they buy a cup of coffee, they can use the internet and electricity for free, and with energy prices continuing to rise, this way of working seems especially cost-effective. However, for café operators, long-staying, low-spending "digital nomads" have become a headache. Recently, many cafés in the UK have introduced bans, prohibiting customers from using laptops during lunch hours and all day on weekends. Cafés in Paris are also taking action to protect coffee culture. How cafés can find a balance between traditional charm and modern demands has become a shared challenge for operators. Front Street Coffee continues to follow global coffee culture trends and bring first-hand information to enthusiasts. [more…]

Recently, a young woman entered a coffee shop with large luggage and occupied multiple tables and chairs to rest for as long as four hours without making any purchase. After repeated unsuccessful attempts to persuade her, the staff called the police. When the police arrived, the woman refused to cooperate and was eventually forcibly removed and taken to the hospital. The incident has sparked discussion about the operating order of coffee shops and customer codes of conduct. Front Street Coffee reminds everyone that civilized consumption is a basic obligation every customer should fulfill. [more…]

Many people are drawn to the artistic vibe of a barista brewing at the counter and the leisurely atmosphere of a coffee shop, putting this profession on their ideal career list. However, the real job of a barista is far more than just making coffee—it also involves a great deal of service and cleaning tasks. Based on survey data, this article analyzes the current hiring landscape for barista positions, daily job responsibilities, skill-learning paths, and future career development directions, helping those considering entering the field rationally assess whether this job suits them, while also retaining relevant resource recommendations from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Many people aspire to work as a barista, thinking that not having to sit in an office, not having to write daily or weekly reports, and being around coffee every day sounds delightful. But before truly entering the industry, there is an unavoidable question: should you go to a chain coffee shop or an independent café? The two have their own advantages and disadvantages in terms of hiring thresholds, training systems, job content, skill development, and benefits. Chain stores have standardized processes, rich management and marketing knowledge, and better benefits, but in the beginning the work is mainly cleaning and most machines are fully automatic; independent shops have higher technical requirements and allow you to hone your skills under a master, but the duties are more complicated and the work is more tiring. Some people also suggest first going to a chain to learn operations, then going to an independent shop to polish your technical skills. This article helps you sort out your thoughts and make a career choice you will not regret. [more…]

Recently, many loyal customers of Manner Coffee have been complaining on social media that they keep getting stumped by the minimum order fee when trying to order a drink through delivery—a 30-yuan minimum is now the norm, and in some areas it is as high as 80 yuan. To get a cup of coffee, some people search everywhere for a "coffee buddy" to pool an order with, some are forced to add bottled water or bread to their cart, and others end up drinking two cups in a single day. By comparison, brands such as Starbucks and Luckin have lower delivery thresholds, which makes Manner's delivery strategy stand out all the more. What exactly is the reason Manner sets such a high delivery threshold? And how should consumers respond? This article takes you through it. [more…]

Can a café make people want to come back again and again based solely on great coffee? In conversations with friends and customers in the shop, the writer found that what truly brings customers back are often the easily overlooked soft experiences—a greeting at the door, recommendations based on taste rather than price, no pressure to “appreciate” the coffee, and the just-right sense of distance between barista and guest. Several interviewees candidly shared their positive and negative experiences, including product information related to the Front Street Coffee brand. These genuine reflections may offer café owners valuable reference. [more…]

In chain brands and independent cafés alike, the phenomenon of customers occupying seats without ordering has long plagued operators. Recently, a café owner faced negative reviews and was then anonymously reported to 12315 for setting a rule requiring a purchase to be seated, sparking widespread attention. Regulatory authorities made it clear that if there is a clear notice in the store, it does not constitute forced consumption. This article reviews the course of events, combines lawyers' views with the current state of the industry, explores the legal boundaries of consumption-based seating and the survival difficulties of independent cafés, and also provides reference and lessons for others in the industry. [more…]

Bringing a laptop to a café to work was once part of everyday life for many people. Recently, however, several cafés in the UK have introduced rules banning customers from using laptops during lunch hours and on weekends, on the grounds that these "digital nomads" occupy seats for long periods while spending little, seriously hurting table turnover and revenue. At the same time, some cafés in Paris have also put up "no laptops" signs and even refuse to provide WiFi, in order to defend traditional coffee culture. But some shops have adopted a compromise strategy, setting up "no-computer zones." This tug-of-war over café space reflects the difficult balance between tradition and the demands of modernization. Front Street Coffee believes that how to accommodate diverse needs while safeguarding business operations is something every industry practitioner is worth pondering. [more…]

A mere 20-square-meter coffee shop in Macau, with its consistent quality and unspoken rapport with regulars, leaves a lasting impression; a 1-square-meter mini café in Japan, converted from a cigarette kiosk, has also become a neighborhood landmark. These cases reveal a common pattern: the success of a coffee shop lies not in its size, but in precise positioning, consistent products, high cost-effectiveness, and attentive service. This article systematically reviews the operating strategies and marketing trends of community cafés in 2023—from community site selection, quality control, and customer base maintenance to repeat-purchase promotions such as points, stamp cards, and scratch cards—providing actionable reference ideas for coffee entrepreneurs. [more…]

Many young people dream of opening a coffee shop, but the reality is that cases of businesses being put up for transfer within six months are all too common. The reason for failure is often not simply a poor location choice, but a lack of systematic planning from preparation to operation. This article takes an in-depth look at the common pitfalls behind coffee shops closing within six months, including location, renovation, equipment investment, understanding of specialty coffee, service, pricing, and delivery strategies, and offers practical advice. Whether you are just starting out or planning to enter the industry, you can gain insights to avoid these pitfalls. [more…]

In recent years, coffee priced under 10 yuan has gone from impossible to the norm. Leading brands such as Luckin, Cotti, and Lucky Cup have all entered the fray, while regional chains and even newly opened small shops are racing to use single-digit pricing as their calling card. From Nantong to Qingdao and then to Shanghai, low-priced coffee is blooming everywhere, but the cost pressure and profit logic behind it deserve deeper scrutiny. Giants rely on supply chain advantages to dilute costs, while independent stores try to attract first-time triers and cultivate repeat purchases with a low threshold. However, when coffee prices are simplified into two camps—"under 10 yuan" and "over 10 yuan"—stores priced above 10 yuan that lack brand and quality support will face a severe test of survival. This article analyzes the underlying logic and future direction of this price war. [more…]