The coffee market is in the thick of a 9.9 yuan price war, but Lucky Cup has taken a different tack by launching a 6.6 yuan promotion, drawing in plenty of thrifty consumers. However, some netizens in Zhengzhou have noticed that the signs of certain former Lucky Cup stores have actually changed to "Lucky Cup," yet the decor style and the poker king logo are completely identical to Lucky Cup's, making it hard to tell at a glance whether it's a rebranding or a counterfeit. Since Mixue Bingcheng's headquarters is in Zhengzhou and the official side has not responded, netizens are speculating that this may be a defensive move by the brand to prevent its registered trademark from being revoked due to three consecutive years of non-use. What exactly is the trademark strategy behind the name change? And how should consumers view it? [more…]

It is no longer uncommon for celebrities to open coffee shops across industries, but Nicholas Tse's "Chef Nic" coffee shop that has now landed in Zhengzhou has taken a different route. The shop was jointly created by Chef Nic and Xinhua Youpin under Xinhua News Agency. In addition to serving coffee and light meals, it also displays poverty-alleviation agricultural products such as Yunnan Menglian coffee, Hebei Wuqiao roast chicken, and Inner Mongolia oatmeal, as well as intangible cultural heritage handicrafts and cultural merchandise. Fans who visited the shop reported that the coffee was mediocre, with the bean aroma not standing out enough, and that it felt more like a space for experiencing poverty-alleviation agricultural products. At the same time, many longtime fans have spoken up: rather than opening shops nationwide, it would be better to hold concerts quickly. [more…]

Recently, a video of multiple rats running along pipes inside a Mixue Bingcheng store in Zhengzhou went viral online, sparking consumer concerns about hygiene conditions at tea beverage shops. Store employees responded that due to the surrounding dining environment, rats are difficult to completely eliminate, but they had handled the situation according to company standards and undergo monthly spot checks. After the incident gained traction, the store in question publicly apologized, admitting to shortcomings in their work. The store has now been closed and professional agencies have been contacted for comprehensive pest control and rectification. The Zhengzhou Municipal Market Supervision Administration also stated it would intervene with inspections and handle any violations according to law. This controversy has once again brought the issue of pest and rodent control at chain restaurants to the forefront. [more…]

Recently, a hidden camera was discovered in the shared restroom of the Starbucks store at CityOn in Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou, sparking widespread public concern. Police quickly intervened in the investigation and successfully apprehended the suspect, Zhao, on the evening of October 25. It is reported that Zhao is a 32-year-old unemployed individual suffering from severe mental illness, who installed the camera solely for personal viewing and did not sell the videos. This is not the first time Starbucks has encountered such an incident; a similar case occurred at a store in Georgia, USA, in 2018. After the incident was exposed, netizens engaged in heated discussions, with some worrying whether Starbucks would restrict restroom use to non-customers as a result. Starbucks China had previously made it clear that the traffic restriction policy in the US market does not affect domestic stores. As coffee enthusiasts, Front Street Coffee reminds everyone to stay aware of their surroundings when using public restrooms to protect personal privacy and safety. [more…]

As a leading tea beverage chain brand in China by number of stores, Mixue Bingcheng is deeply loved by students and office workers for its super high cost-effectiveness. On September 28, the company officially announced that its first Snow King Castle experience store in the country would open in Zhengzhou Guomao, breaking its previous image of focusing solely on ice cream and tea drinks by integrating fried skewers, desserts, coffee, merchandise, claw machines, and other elements into one space. Even more unexpectedly, Henan's local specialties, braised noodles and baked pancakes, have also been creatively incorporated into the drinks. What highlights does this experience store actually have? What kind of brand ambition does Mixue Bingcheng's diversified layout reveal? This article will take you on a journey of discovery. [more…]

The well-known tea beverage brand Yihotang has been exposed by media undercover investigations at multiple stores in Zhengzhou for serious food safety issues: ingredients that should have been discarded after closing were used again the next day, expired materials had their labels swapped to extend their shelf life, moldy strawberries were washed and used as usual, flying insects that fell into toppings were fished out and still used in products, and even prepared drinks in which bugs were found were resealed and continued to be sold. Even more shockingly, the staff were indifferent to this, claiming that "as long as it doesn't kill people, it's fine." After the incident was exposed, Yihotang issued an apology statement, and the stores involved were closed for rectification. Lawyers pointed out that the relevant actions have violated multiple provisions of the Food Safety Law. Netizens reacted differently, with some saying that chaos in franchise stores is common, while others called on the brand to effectively fulfill its regulatory responsibilities. [more…]

Zhengzhou Bus Group has teamed up with Mixue Bingcheng to open a store inside a bus rapid transit station, with the first pilot located on the west side of the intersection of Huayuan Road and Nongye Road. This attempt is seen as an extension of bus services, allowing passengers to buy drinks while waiting for their bus and even enjoy discounts with their ride records. However, the store's construction is alleged to have proceeded without a construction land planning permit. The Jinshui District Urban Comprehensive Law Enforcement Bureau posted a notice to deliver enforcement documents, but no one signed for them, leaving the procedure at an impasse. Meanwhile, netizens have questioned whether the store occupies the sidewalk and tactile paving, potentially affecting passage. Zhengzhou Bus responded that the station passage is wide enough and promised to make dynamic adjustments. The incident has sparked discussion about the boundaries of commercial development in public spaces and provides a new case of cross-industry collaboration for the coffee and tea beverage industry. [more…]

Lelecha, which previously sparked widespread discussion with its "Apple Candy" series of new products, has recently become a focus of attention once again. Some consumers have noticed that the only remaining Lelecha store in Zhengzhou will cease operations on January 3, 2026, which means the brand may completely bid farewell to the Zhengzhou market. From its high-profile entry into Henan at the end of 2022 to the successive closure of stores now, Lelecha has undergone a transformation from expansion to contraction in just three short years. At the same time, stores have also quietly withdrawn from many cities such as Zhangzhou, Handan, and Weihai. Although the brand once set a goal of one thousand stores, actual data shows a different trajectory, prompting concern about its future fate. [more…]

During the May Day holiday, Mixue Bingcheng's headquarters in Zhengzhou, Henan unexpectedly became a popular check-in spot for tourists, with long queues forming outside the flagship store for three consecutive days, and visitors heading straight there with their suitcases. The limited-edition drinks and ice cream sold at the headquarters were affordably priced, attracting a large number of fans eager to experience the atmosphere of the "Snow King's" hometown. However, foot traffic far exceeded expectations, and some customers who had queued for hours found products sold out, while picking up orders and paying also required long waits. This sudden check-in frenzy showcased Mixue Bingcheng's immense popularity nationwide, but also exposed the brand's shortcomings in holiday inventory reserves and staffing arrangements. [more…]

As the Spring Festival approaches, the chain coffee brand %Arabica announced the opening of its first store in Henan, but unexpectedly, this new store did not land in a shopping mall in the provincial capital Zhengzhou, but instead established itself in a Qing Dynasty ancient residential courtyard near Weipo Village near Luoyang. The strong contrast between the ancient architecture and the modern minimalist decor quickly attracted a large number of coffee enthusiasts to drive over and visit, with foot traffic packed to capacity during the Spring Festival. However, the ensuing issues of excessively long wait times, chaotic order inside the store, and lattes not being made with latte art also sparked controversy. Some netizens pointed out that the store is actually a pop-up shop and is expected to close in May this year, suggesting that people visit during off-peak times. [more…]

Recently, food safety issues in the coffee and milk tea industries have been exposed one after another, leaving many beverage-loving consumers feeling uneasy. On May 6, Yihuatang made trending searches due to the use of expired and moldy ingredients, and on the same day it appeared twice in Weibo trending searches—a woman in Foshan, Guangdong, found a 7-centimeter-long machine part in her takeout milk tea. After complaints and negotiations, Yihuatang eventually compensated the consumer 1,000 yuan. Meanwhile, some Yihuatang stores in Zhengzhou were also exposed by the media for serious food safety hazards, with employees even saying, "As long as it doesn't kill you, it's fine." This series of incidents once again reminds us that low prices cannot be used as a shield for food safety, and brands must take responsibility for supervising their franchise stores. [more…]

During the first New Year's mini-holiday after the adjustment of pandemic control policies, people who had recovered from COVID-19 began traveling in large numbers, rapidly heating up the food and beverage consumption market. Long queues reappeared outside milk tea and coffee shops, with some stores seeing orders surge, and even scenes of ordering systems showing queues of over a hundred cups. From Auntea Jenny to Naixue Tea, sales data from multiple brands rebounded significantly, and foot traffic in many commercial districts recovered to 60 to 80 percent of the same period in previous years. Although the pace of recovery remains uneven, the city's lively atmosphere is gradually returning, and the industry is full of expectations for a comprehensive rebound in spring. [more…]

A traveler from Zhengzhou on a business trip to Chengdu drank the complimentary instant coffee provided in his room after checking into a local Holiday Inn, and subsequently suffered gastrointestinal discomfort. Upon inspecting the packaging, the coffee was produced in March 2022 with a 24-month shelf life, meaning it was nearly half a year past its expiration date when the guest drank it. After the customer reported the matter to the hotel, the hotel offered to refund the room fee and provide 2,000 yuan in compensation, but stressed that the payment was a "reward for discovering the problem" rather than compensation, which the customer did not accept. At present, the Chengdu market regulatory authorities have intervened in the investigation, and the matter is still being handled. This case has also sounded an alarm for food safety management in guest rooms across the hotel industry. [more…]

Traditional Chinese medicine milk tea, traditional Chinese medicine fruit tea, traditional Chinese medicine wellness tea… In recent years, a trend of "any tea can be infused with traditional Chinese medicine" has spread rapidly through the tea beverage industry. In the summer of 2024, the traditional Chinese medicine tea beverage sector was especially booming, with a new brand opening more than 140 stores within 8 months, and related topic views exceeding 150 million. However, is this craze a true outlet or a short-lived gimmick? Mr. Zhou in Zhengzhou, Henan, invested more than 400,000 yuan to join a well-known traditional Chinese medicine tea beverage brand, but encountered difficulties such as the headquarters failing to deliver on its formula promises and flavors being hard for consumers to accept, ultimately suffering months of continuous losses and having no choice but to close the store and relocate. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the opportunities and challenges in the traditional Chinese medicine tea beverage industry, and explores the market prospects and operational risks under the concept of "medicine and food homology." [more…]

The coffee consumer market is expanding at an annual rate of 16%, far exceeding the global average, and young customers are becoming the core driving force of this industry. In 2016, the total number of coffee shops nationwide crossed the threshold of 100,000 for the first time, but in the same year there was also a clear negative growth, and a new round of reshuffling quietly unfolded in the second half of the year. Low barriers to opening a shop but increasingly difficult profitability have become a common experience for many shop owners. Based on the first big data report on the beverage industry jointly released by the Meituan Dianping Research Institute and Kamen, this article sorts out the real survival status of coffee shops in China from the dimensions of changes in the number of stores, urban distribution patterns, migration of consumer groups, as well as products, environment, and services. At the same time, combined with the actual observations of brands such as Front Street Coffee, it provides practitioners with reference basis for judgment. [more…]

The new tea beverage sector continues to heat up, and the phenomenon of brand trademarks being maliciously infringed upon is becoming increasingly frequent. Well-known brands such as Heytea, The Alley, and Sexy Tea have all encountered counterfeit troubles, and this time it is Mixue Bingcheng, with stores all over the world, that is affected. A milk tea brand called Mixueyue was sued by Mixue Bingcheng for trademark infringement because its text and trademark were highly similar to the Mixue Bingcheng series of trademarks. The final judgment ordered Mixueyue to pay 512,184 yuan in compensation, and its appeal request was rejected. Mixue Bingcheng has more than 22,000 stores worldwide, and its A-share listing application has also been accepted, while Mixueyue Company has now been deregistered. Behind this lawsuit is the strategy of leading tea beverage brands building a legal moat through defensive trademarks. This article takes you through the whole case, the backgrounds of both parties, and the operating logic of defensive trademarks. [more…]

Recently, news that Mixue Bingcheng might start selling breakfast has blown up on social media, with related topics shooting straight to the top of trending searches. It started with a questionnaire circulating in community groups and on WeChat Moments, plus a "breakfast series" of dairy products quietly appearing in the mini-program, priced at just 5 yuan on average. Netizens shouted "Snow King has brought the prices down" while enthusiastically ordering fried dough sticks and spicy soup. Longtime fans even dug up the brand's origin story, saying this isn't a crossover at all—it's a return to its old trade. However, people in the know say it's currently only a small-scale trial in a few cities, with no intention of a broad rollout for now. [more…]

Nayuki received a fine for a false advertisement regarding mulberry ingredients, drawing attention to its brand marketing methods. This is not the first time Nayuki has been embroiled in controversy; since its listing, multiple stores have been exposed or penalized for food safety issues. Meanwhile, Nayuki has been trying to connect with young consumers through cultural, artistic elements, and social marketing. From high-priced tea drinks to loss-making financial reports, to closing its largest store and establishing a new company, Nayuki is seeking a new path to survival. This article reviews the sequence of events, historical penalty records, and the multiple challenges the brand faces in marketing and operations, and explores the core of competition in the new tea beverage industry. [more…]

After leaving Luckin, Lu Zhengyao and his original core team have officially unveiled their new brand Cotti Coffee in Shanghai, with the first store located at Tianhui HQ (formerly Lingkong SOHO), competing alongside brands such as Starbucks, Luckin, and Manner. Cotti Coffee is expanding rapidly through a fully directly managed joint-operation model, and has already entered more than 40 cities. It has set a goal of 10,000 stores in three years, or even completing 10,000 stores as early as June 2023. On the product side, in addition to regular coffee, it has also launched limited-edition drinks such as the mate tea series, priced between 9.9 and 18.9 yuan, directly targeting Luckin’s hit products. Specialty coffee brands such as Front Street Coffee are also paying attention to changes in this track. Competition in the coffee industry is accelerating as pandemic controls fade, and what kind of pressure Lu Zhengyao’s bold layout will bring to Starbucks and Luckin is worth continued attention. [more…]

Recently, netizens reported that the Peet's Coffee store located on the first floor of Teemall in Guangzhou will cease operations on March 31. This store was Peet's first outlet after entering Guangzhou at the end of 2021 and also its second store in South China. Surprisingly, the store had been doing well since opening, often fully occupied, and the sudden closure notice caught many fans off guard. At the same time, Peet's also closed a popular store in Hangzhou's West Lake earlier this month. With two high-traffic stores shut down within a month, it has sparked discussions about the brand's development prospects. What exactly caused these closures? Is it due to adjustments in the business district's format, or challenges facing its high-end positioning? This article will review the sequence of events and various perspectives. [more…]