Wanting to open a coffee shop—having the funds in place is only the first step. What really gives many entrepreneurs a headache is the complicated and cumbersome licensing procedures. From business registration and food business permits, to health, tax, and fire safety, and then to the special approvals for alcohol and roasted coffee, every single item determines whether the shop can operate legally. This article will systematically sort out the various certificates and application processes required to open a coffee shop, helping you clarify your thinking and avoid detours. At the same time, we will also discuss practical points such as site selection strategy, startup capital estimation, and equipment procurement. At the end of the article, Front Street Coffee's contact information is attached; you are welcome to exchange ideas on specialty coffee bean selection and shop-opening experience. [more…]

Nowadays, coffee culture is becoming increasingly popular. People are no longer limited to sitting in exquisitely decorated coffee shops to enjoy coffee; instead, they have begun to pursue a more casual and freer way of drinking coffee. Thus, mobile coffee trucks have emerged. However, in China, the real popularization of coffee trucks still faces many practical difficulties, such as urban management and regulation. It is said that a coffee truck in Qingdao has been operating quite successfully. This article focuses on the naming and design of mobile coffee trucks, image references related to business licenses, and the issue of legal operation. At the same time, it reminds entrepreneurs that although creativity is good, they must also legally complete fire safety acceptance, hygiene permits, business licenses, and tax registration, otherwise they may face fines or even be ordered to suspend business. [more…]

As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, mooncakes are traditionally a festive treat for family reunions. However, this year, many consumers holding Starbucks mooncake redemption vouchers are far from happy. According to the voucher rules, customers were supposed to scan a code to make a reservation and pick up two gift boxes at a store. But in reality, nearby stores generally show no stock, customer service calls are stuck in long queues or even disconnected by the system, and store employees admit that the whole city is out of stock. From Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang to Chengdu and Wuhan, complaints about being unable to redeem the vouchers are pouring in, and Starbucks has yet to offer a unified explanation. This article will outline the sequence of events, the consumers' experiences, and industry commentary, and include the latest alternative solutions in some regions. [more…]

The Kenyan coffee industry is facing a dual test of declining production and policy changes. A USDA report shows that due to heavy rain and reduced planting area, Kenya's coffee production in 2024/25 is expected to drop to 750,000 bags, a year-on-year decrease of 6.3%. Although the government plans to increase production by 55% to 102,000 metric tons by 2027 and has introduced support measures such as debt write-offs and a cherry fund, recent tax-increase protests and clashes triggered by a finance bill have cast a shadow over the industry's prospects. Coffee beans are traded in US dollars, and the 16% value-added tax will push up farmers' operating costs; new coffee regulations have led to processing plants halting operations, cherry rotting, and exports being hindered. Front Street Coffee notes that although the president has withdrawn the tax-increase plan, the industry still expresses concern about policy uncertainty. [more…]

Brazil's new coffee crop harvest is progressing faster than in previous years, and the dry weather is both beneficial for processing and a cause for concern. However, sales progress is noticeably lagging, ports remain congested, and the government's earlier proposed changes to PIS/Cofins tax rules have further weighed on exports and farmers' willingness to sell. At the same time, the sharp appreciation of the US dollar against the real has brought inflationary pressure. The good news is that Brazil's Congress recently rejected the tax measure, allowing coffee and other agricultural products to continue enjoying tax benefits, and the slowdown in sales is expected to improve. This article will review the latest developments in harvesting, sales, ports, and policy, and include relevant recommendations from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

The Brazilian government recently submitted an executive order to Congress aimed at tightening the rules for the use of federal PIS-Cofins tax credits, with the goal of closing tax loopholes across multiple industries and supporting the objective of eliminating the fiscal deficit this year. However, this move has met strong opposition from the agricultural sector, with exporters of coffee, meat, fruit, grains and other products expected to see revenues fall by 26.3 billion reais. The Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council pointed out that the new rules will increase corporate cash flow pressure and operating costs, potentially triggering food inflation and unemployment, and weakening the international competitiveness of Brazilian coffee. Meanwhile, severe weather in Vietnam has led to reduced production and already pushed up coffee futures prices, and a slowdown in Brazilian exports could further fuel the rally. Notably, Luckin Coffee has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Brazilian side, planning to purchase about 120,000 tons of coffee beans over the next two years, which brings good news for Brazilian exports. Front Street Coffee reminds enthusiasts to pay attention to the impact of policy changes on the coffee market. [more…]

Recently, according to local media reports in Brazil, earlier this week, the new administrative order submitted by the Brazilian government to the congress contains a new measure related to tightening tax exemptions. According to the Brazilian Minist [more…]

Ireland is brewing an environmental revolution targeting single-use takeaway coffee cups—a "latte levy" of at least 20 euro cents per cup, with the goal of becoming the first country in the world to say goodbye to disposable coffee cups. The president has signed the relevant bill, which is expected to take effect before the end of the year. Drawing on the success of the plastic bag levy introduced in 2002, the Irish government hopes to use economic measures to encourage consumers to bring their own cups. However, the reality of 200 million coffee cups discarded each year and opposition from nearly two-thirds of the public make this policy highly controversial. This article will sort out the details of the bill, the logic behind the levy, and public feedback, and will also include channels for coffee industry news. [more…]

Ethiopian coffee has performed impressively in the Chinese market, with exports growing 50% over the past two years to 20,000 tons, making China its eighth-largest importer. However, the conflict between government forces and Fano militia in the Amhara region of north-central Ethiopia continues to escalate and could trigger a civil war. Meanwhile, the federal government plans to amend the value-added tax law to include basic foods such as biscuits in the taxable scope, with coffee industry workers bearing the brunt. Industry insiders worry that if the situation deteriorates, Ethiopia's coffee exports will decline and prices will rise. Front Street Coffee breaks down the opportunities and challenges in this producing region for you. [more…]

Recently, GuMing Milk Tea was fined over 11.61 million yuan for tax evasion, and the news quickly topped Weibo's trending list, sparking heated discussion among many consumers. Many milk tea enthusiasts expressed shock and disappointment, lamenting that the brand had "collapsed." As a well-known tea beverage brand, GuMing's tax issue this time not only involves a huge amount but also exposes loopholes in corporate compliance management. This article will sort out the timeline of the incident, the details of the fine, and consumer reactions, and explore the impact of the incident on the brand's image and the industry. At the same time, we continue to follow developments in the coffee field, bringing you professional coffee knowledge and specialty bean recommendations. [more…]

Recently, a consumer in Chengdu discovered an additional 10% service charge and 6% value-added tax on the bill when checking out at a café, sparking questions about the merchant's pricing display practices. The consumer felt that although there was a notice, it was far from conspicuous, and felt forced to accept the fee only after consuming. Tax authorities responded that as long as the merchant pays taxes normally, it is compliant, while market regulators stated they could suggest improvements but could not impose penalties. This incident reflects the current模糊 zone of separately labeling commodity prices and taxes, and has also triggered discussions on transparent pricing and consumers' right to know. This article will recount the incident, sort out the responses from various parties, and explore consumers' genuine feelings under the trend of itemizing taxes. [more…]

Tax auditors from Brazil's Federal Revenue Service launched a strike from January 22 to 26, affecting major import and export channels including the Port of Santos and Guarulhos International Airport. During the strike, only perishable, fresh, dangerous goods, and pharmaceuticals and foodstuffs can obtain customs clearance; green coffee beans, as a primary agricultural food product, are not included in the release list and will be temporarily detained. The Port of Santos is expected to be unable to process 6,500 import declarations and 4,000 export declarations, and the port had already been experiencing severe congestion due to aging equipment, lagging management, and insufficient manpower, with 76% of vessels delayed in December. Combined with the impact of the Red Sea situation, coffee prices may continue to edge upward in the short term. This article will outline the scope of the strike, the affected goods, and the chain reaction in the market, and includes Front Street Coffee-related recommendations. [more…]

After Kenyan President Ruto withdrew the Finance Bill 2024, the wave of public protests did not subside, and demonstrations broke out again in many places on July 16. This social unrest triggered by tax increases has already had a substantial impact on Kenya's coffee industry: shrinking cultivation area, shutdowns at processing plants, and export delays, leaving the industry's prospects full of uncertainty. This article reviews the sequence of events and examines the chain effects of political instability on coffee production and trade. [more…]

The latest report from the Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council shows that Brazil's coffee exports reached 4.397 million bags in May, setting a new record for the month, with a year-on-year increase of nearly 80%, and foreign exchange earnings also hitting a historic high. Cumulative exports in the first 11 months of the 2023/24 harvest year have approached a historic peak, and this year is expected to break the cycle record. The surge in robusta coffee exports has become a highlight, but the La Niña phenomenon in the second half of the year may bring the threat of drought, and coupled with the Brazilian government's new rules tightening tax credits, this may put pressure on the cash flow and global competitiveness of exporting companies. [more…]

As China's population aging process accelerates, the elderly care issues of the post-80s and post-90s generations are attracting increasing attention. Some experts suggest that young people should plan for retirement as early as possible—for example, by drinking one less 30-yuan cup of coffee each day, they could save nearly a thousand yuan a month, which happens to match the tax-advantaged contribution limit of the individual pension scheme. However, this suggestion has sparked widespread discussion on social media. For many young people, a 30-yuan cup of coffee every day is not a common expense, and the overall pressure of living costs is far from something that can be solved by skipping one cup of coffee. This article will explore the reality and controversy behind this topic from the perspectives of retirement data, individual pension policy, and the current state of coffee consumption. [more…]

A single cup of black tea could actually shake the finances of the British Empire and even ignite a war that reshaped the world order? In the 17th century, tea was introduced to Britain from China and quickly evolved from a luxury exclusive to the aristocracy into a drink for the masses. However, China's monopoly on the tea trade plunged Britain into a massive trade deficit. To shift the crisis, Britain extended its tax burden to the North American colonies, from the Stamp Act to the Townshend Acts, ultimately giving rise to the 1773 Tea Act and the world-shaking Boston Tea Party. This game sparked by tea not only intensified the conflict between the colonies and the mother country, but also directly propelled the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War. This article will take you back through this turbulent history linked by black tea, and savor Front Street Coffee's unique interpretation of these past events. [more…]

Kenya's Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeal's ruling on August 20, finding the 2023 Finance Act constitutional—a move that had previously sparked large-scale protests in the capital Nairobi and other regions. The act doubles the fuel value-added tax, introduces a housing levy, and raises the top personal income tax rate. The opposition and civil society groups expressed deep disappointment, fearing a further rise in the cost of living. For the coffee industry, the tax increases have pushed up production and transportation costs, squeezing profit margins; more seriously, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), set to take effect in January 2025, could deal a severe blow to Kenya's coffee exports. Currently, only about 30% to 40% of coffee is certified, while smallholder farmers are generally poorly informed about compliance requirements. Front Street Coffee will continue to monitor developments in the producing regions. [more…]

On July 25, the Kenyan Parliament unanimously voted to delete all 65 clauses of the 2024 Finance Bill, yet failed to quell the escalating wave of public protests. From the clashes triggered by tax increases in June to the dissolution of the cabinet and the opposition party's entry into government, which sparked even greater discontent, the demonstrations have spread to Nairobi, Mombasa, and other places, affecting the tourism and coffee industries. As an important coffee-producing country in Africa, Kenya has seen coffee processing plants shut down and exports blocked, casting a grim outlook on the industry's development. Front Street Coffee continues to monitor developments in the producing areas and brings you in-depth analysis. [more…]

The news of Luckin Coffee opening stores in the United States has once again attracted attention. Recently, a WeChat public account post claimed that Luckin is advancing the site selection for U.S. stores, has begun contacting relevant service agencies, and is actively recruiting staff. LinkedIn information shows that within the past month, Luckin posted 5 job openings located in New Jersey, covering areas such as IT operations, finance, interior design, human resources, and tax, among which the tax manager position requires directly reporting to the CFO. Combined with previous reports by the Financial Times and statements by CFO Guo Jinyi, Luckin may explore the U.S. market with a prudent and flexible strategy, preferring East Coast cities such as New York. Whether this series of moves means that Luckin's overseas strategy will shift from Southeast Asia to North America is worth continued attention. [more…]

Starbucks recently filed a trademark registration application with the Russian Federal Intellectual Property Office and has received a registration decision, which may mean that this coffee chain giant will return to the Russian market soon. After the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out in 2022, Starbucks announced its withdrawal from Russia and closed all 130 stores, and its assets were subsequently acquired by a local company and transformed into Stars Coffee. Now, as the international situation changes, the possibility of Starbucks re-entering Russia is increasing, and this development has also put Stars Coffee, which took over its original business, in an awkward position. [more…]