Since the outbreak of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, American chain brands have faced waves of boycotts in Muslim-majority regions, with Starbucks bearing the brunt. In Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country, local consumers' boycott of Starbucks has led to a sharp drop in foot traffic. The latest financial report from franchise operator Berjaya Food shows that in the first half of this year, its Starbucks business suffered a massive loss of 87.34 million ringgit (approximately 143 million RMB). To reverse the decline, Berjaya Food has repeatedly stated that Starbucks Malaysia is wholly owned by a local listed company, with employees almost entirely local and mostly Muslim, in an attempt to distance itself from the US headquarters. However, the boycott continues, even affecting employees' livelihoods and stock performance. How this situation will unfold and whether Starbucks can regain local consumers' trust is worth watching. [more…]

Affected by the global boycott wave triggered by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Starbucks has suffered a severe blow in the Malaysian market. According to multiple media reports, nearly 50 Starbucks stores in the country have suspended operations over the past year, and operator Berjaya Food has fallen into losses for four consecutive quarters. Although the brand has repeatedly clarified its position and taken public welfare measures in an attempt to win back consumer trust, the boycott movement has still not subsided, and store sales have been slow to recover. This turmoil not only reflects the profound impact of geopolitics on commercial brands, but also leaves Starbucks' future in the Southeast Asian market full of uncertainty. [more…]

Recently, Chagee sparked boycotts among netizens in Vietnam and Malaysia successively due to a background image in its app that included the nine-dash line map. Vietnam not only removed the app from its platforms but also dismantled the signboard of the first store in Ho Chi Minh City; after Malaysian netizens discovered the same issue, they too joined the chorus of criticism. Although the brand has deleted the controversial image, the public outcry has not yet subsided. It is worth noting that, unlike brands such as Starbucks, which faced boycotts over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict leading to the closure of numerous stores, Chagee's offline stores in Kuala Lumpur have maintained steady takeout orders. This article will review the sequence of events and their actual impact on the brand's operations. [more…]

Recently, a Mixue store located in Segambut, Malaysia, came under scrutiny from netizens due to a job advertisement that specified "experienced Malays and Chinese are required," which was accused of being racially discriminatory. As a multi-ethnic nation, Malaysia's main ethnic groups include Malays, Chinese, and Indians. The poster believed that this requirement excluded Indians and other ethnicities, which was unfair. The incident quickly went viral on social media, sparking widespread discussion. Some netizens criticized the brand's inappropriate practice and called for a boycott, while others argued that the controversy stemmed from a misinterpretation of the language proficiency requirement. Notably, Mixue did not directly respond to the controversy but instead released a series of promotional content themed "United as One," showcasing employees of diverse races, seemingly intending to emphasize its inclusiveness. [more…]

Tim Hortons, a coffee chain long regarded as Canada's national pride, has recently found itself at the center of a public opinion storm over a summer camp vaccination policy. The hashtag #BoycottTimHortons quickly trended on Twitter, sparking widespread criticism and calls for a boycott. A policy requiring staff and campers participating in Tim Hortons Foundation Camps to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 has become the focus of the controversy. Opponents launched a petition that gathered more than 20,000 signatures in just a few days, while supporters argue the move is intended to protect immunocompromised children. As the incident continues to escalate, Tim Hortons has yet to make a public response. [more…]

Recently, a violent conflict between a customer and an employee broke out at a store of the local Malaysian coffee chain Zus Coffee in Kuala Lumpur. A video of about 15 seconds spread rapidly online, showing both sides throwing drinks and objects at each other, with the scene briefly spiraling out of control. The incident sparked various speculations among netizens about the cause of the conflict and also triggered discussions about how brands should protect frontline employees. After the incident, Zus Coffee issued two consecutive statements denying that the employee involved had been fired and saying it had referred the matter to the police. This article will sort through the course of the incident, the reactions of all parties, and the brand's official response. [more…]

Chinese new tea beverage brand Chagee originally planned a high-profile opening of its first store in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, but on the eve of the launch, a map in its app suspected of showing the "nine-dash line" in the South China Sea sparked a strong backlash from Vietnamese netizens. Tens of thousands flooded its official Facebook page to express anger, the brand's app was removed from both major app platforms, and a tough response from what appeared to be an official account on TikTok poured fuel on the fire. As of now, Chagee has yet to make a formal response. This boycott storm triggered by a map has not only cast a shadow over the brand's overseas expansion but also sounded a warning bell for other Chinese brands planning to enter the Vietnamese market. Front Street Coffee continues to follow international developments in the coffee and tea beverage industry. [more…]

Vitasoy International Holdings' interim results for the 2021/2022 fiscal year show that revenue fell 18.28% year-on-year, while net profit plunged 95%, marking the largest decline in recent years. The core trigger of this storm was the public backlash caused by the July 2021 incident in which an employee attacked police and then hanged himself, leading to large-scale product removals and celebrity contract terminations in the mainland market—a key region accounting for 60% of the company's total revenue. The incident occurred during the summer sales peak, obstructing new product promotion, while competitors seized the opportunity to accelerate penetration. Industry analysts pointed out that in addition to the public relations crisis, Vitasoy's structural weaknesses in the mainland market—over-reliance on the Pearl River Delta and insufficient penetration in the north—were equally fatal. Rising raw material costs and slow packaging updates further dragged down recovery, and it is expected to take at least three years to restore profitability. This article will sort out the sequence of events, market reactions, and future challenges, providing in-depth reference for observers in the coffee and beverage industry. [more…]

In recent years, animal-themed cafes have rapidly expanded around the world, with everything from cats and dogs to owls, meerkats, raccoons, and other wild animals being brought into the shops. However, animal protection organizations point out that these venues often lack effective oversight, and the animals are kept under chronic stress and sleep deprivation, with their physical and mental health seriously affected. In Japan, nearly 100,000 people have signed a petition demanding the closure of cafes featuring owls and other wild animals, and South Korea has announced a total ban on displaying wild animals outside of zoos. Should consumers also reflect: without demand, how can there be a market? [more…]

Recently, a video of a Cotti Coffee employee destroying a standee of former spokesperson Wang Yibo sparked a huge uproar on social media. In the video, the store clerk deliberately cut up the standee's face and posted it with a caption, provoking widespread discontent and a boycott among fans. As the incident continued to escalate, Cotti issued a public statement of apology on February 28, announcing the termination of cooperation with the store involved and its closure, while promising to strengthen training and oversight of the material recycling process. This controversy has brought the issue of material handling standards after the termination of brand endorsement contracts to the forefront, and has once again drawn industry attention to the protection of artists' portrait rights. [more…]

Recently, the Heytea store in Southampton, UK, replaced its menu with an all-English version, sparking strong dissatisfaction among overseas Chinese consumers. The original poster pointed out that after all Chinese product names disappeared, ordering became difficult, and even Chinese employees made mistakes because they were not accustomed to the new menu. Subsequently, netizens discovered that multiple overseas stores in London, New York, Sydney, and other locations had also switched to all-English menus, and the official app also removed the language selection option, instead displaying based on location. Although some people believe this is catering to localization, more people criticize the move for diluting the brand's Chinese symbols and harming the ordering experience of overseas Chinese. Heytea customer service did not respond directly, and some consumers said they might spontaneously boycott it. [more…]

Luckin Coffee plans to enter Malaysia, negotiating cooperation with local listed companies and formulating a five-year expansion blueprint. Currently, Luckin has over 20,000 stores in China, with only 38 directly operated stores overseas, all in Singapore. Malaysian netizens have reacted enthusiastically to the brand's entry, looking forward to discounted pricing but also concerned about intensifying market competition. Rumors point to the partner being Berjaya Group, the operator of Starbucks, but other sources say the contact is with a different party, and the final choice awaits official announcement. This overseas expansion comes as the domestic tea beverage market becomes saturated and price wars intensify; Luckin went from profit to loss in the first quarter, making Southeast Asia key to breaking the deadlock. [more…]

Luckin Coffee has officially obtained the franchise rights for the Malaysian market, and the partner is not the previously rumored Berjaya Group, but Global Aroma Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Grand Industrial. According to the agreement, GASB will develop, open, and operate stores under the Luckin Coffee brand in Malaysia over a 10-year period, with the right to renew for two consecutive 5-year terms. Major shareholder of Grand Industrial, Wang Ziming, stated that this is a strategic investment aimed at aggressive nationwide expansion and replicating Luckin's success. Luckin Coffee CEO Guo Jinyi also noted that this move marks an important step in the brand's international expansion. Grand Industrial plans to open multiple Luckin stores in Malaysia in the first quarter of 2025, with initial costs covered by a combination of internal funds and bank loans. [more…]

Luckin Coffee has officially entered Malaysia, with two stores opening simultaneously at Sunway Pyramid and Menara EcoWorld in Kuala Lumpur, regarded as its second overseas market after Singapore. On the first day of opening, many consumers queued up to try it out, and with prices ranging from 8 to 17 ringgit plus a 2.99 ringgit first-cup discount for new users, it appeared to be continuing its low-price strategy from China. However, beneath the excitement, local netizens questioned the value for money, as Cotti, Starbucks, and the local brand Zus had long dominated the market; even more surprising to domestic fans was that bestsellers such as Orange C Americano and Meteorite Latte did not appear on the local menu. With a relatively small number of stores and a conservative product selection, whether Luckin can gain a firm foothold in Malaysia amid fierce rivals has become the focus of attention. [more…]

Malaysia's specialty coffee culture is undergoing a profound transformation. From Kuala Lumpur to Penang and then to Johor Bahru, a growing number of passionate coffee professionals are driving a shift from traditional white coffee to specialty coffee. This article explores in depth the development of Malaysia's specialty coffee scene, from specialty coffee's initial entry into the market in 2010 to today's proliferation of independent roasting workshops and coffee classrooms. We interviewed several industry pioneers, including Joey Mah, Michael Wilson, Cheryl Lee, and others, who shared how they have advanced the upgrading of the entire industry by educating consumers, improving roasting techniques, and enhancing customer service. At the same time, the article also focuses on the development of key cities such as Penang and Johor Bahru, as well as the efforts of institutions like the Asian Barista Guild in coffee education. For coffee lovers, this is a complete picture for understanding the changes in Malaysia's coffee culture. [more…]

While Seoul, Singapore, and Hong Kong have firmly established themselves as the region's coffee capitals, Malaysia is catching up at an astonishing pace. In Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru, a large number of passionate specialty coffee practitioners have emerged, starting with light-roasted beans and gradually changing local consumers' taste habits. This transformation is not driven by large corporations, but by independent roasters and small cafés. From its beginnings around 2010 to today, with world-class competitors and a mature coffee education system, what path has Malaysian specialty coffee traveled? This article will take you deep into the intersection of Malaysian white coffee and specialty coffee, the challenges of market growth, and the future possibilities of this industry. [more…]

White coffee is a highly representative specialty coffee of Malaysia, but it is not named for being white in color. Rather, it is made by processing coffee beans together with skimmed milk powder, giving the finished product a lighter color than regular coffee and a more refreshing taste. This beverage, invented by Chinese who migrated to Malaysia, uses a blend of three types of coffee beans—Liberica, Arabica, and Robusta—which are roasted, extracted, and then combined with sugar and non-dairy creamer to make an instant powder. Today it has become a daily necessity for locals and a must-buy souvenir for tourists. At the same time, another popular claim online points white coffee toward Australia's Flat White. This article will help you clarify the true meaning of white coffee, understand the production process of Malaysian white coffee, and get to know the unique features of the Aussie white, an espresso-based milk coffee. [more…]

Recently, a dispute at a Starbucks store in Terminal 2 of Kuala Lumpur International Airport sparked widespread discussion. A Chinese tourist, struggling with English, was using an AI translation tool to communicate with a staff member when the employee muttered an insult in Malay under their breath: "bodoh" (meaning stupid). After the video was uploaded, Malaysian netizens quickly pointed out the meaning of the insult and filed complaints on the tourist's behalf. Starbucks Malaysia subsequently issued a statement saying the barista involved had been fired on September 21, that the company apologized to the customer and the public, and that it pledged to strengthen training on cultural sensitivity and service standards for employees. The incident also serves as a reminder to coffee industry professionals that respect and patience are crucial in cross-cultural communication. [more…]

The name "white coffee" sounds simple, but behind it actually lie two completely different meanings. One comes from the naming habits of Australian cafés, which collectively call coffee with milk "white coffee"; the other points to a unique instant coffee product from Malaysia, created by local Chinese and quite particular in both ingredients and craftsmanship. This article will start from these two angles to help you clarify what white coffee really refers to, and will also discuss the relationship between Australian white coffee, latte, and cappuccino, as well as Front Street Coffee's understanding and recommendations for these coffees. [more…]

Recently, the "tear-the-cup" lucky draw campaign launched by Chagee in Malaysia has become mired in controversy. A video exposed that store employees were suspected of screening prize cards inside cups in advance and keeping the grand prizes aside, triggering strong consumer doubts about the fairness of the campaign. The brand initially demanded that netizens delete their posts through legal means, then responded successively on November 18 and 19 and issued an apology statement, admitting that the employees' conduct did not conform to corporate principles and announcing that starting in December it would switch to QR codes instead of paper lucky draw slips. Although the brand promised to make rectifications, public doubts about its handling approach and transparency have still not been completely dispelled. [more…]