A cafe named Mina in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, has sparked widespread controversy with its "one-way blind date" model. Male customers can observe female customers through one-way glass, while the women are completely unaware of it. This practice, imitating old-style cafes in Japan, has been criticized by netizens for objectifying women as window-display merchandise. Even more worrying is that the shop also offers a so-called "companion tour" service, and incidents of male customers secretly photographing women have occurred. On June 3, Vietnamese police raided the shop. Although no direct evidence of harm to women was found, multiple violations were discovered, including the absence of labor contracts, lack of a food hygiene license, and breaches of fire safety regulations. Whether this cafe can continue to operate remains unknown at present. [more…]

A coffee shop that attracted attention with a suggestive name ultimately paid the price for its marketing approach. In July of this year, a coffee shop named "Doi Coffee" in Huangpu District, Shanghai, was investigated by market regulators for a store name and product names suspected of violating public order and good morals. Several months later, the penalty result has finally landed — a fine of 30,000 yuan, with a heavier punishment due to the severe negative public opinion impact. Now the shop has quietly closed, and the person in charge said business was so poor that they are no longer operating. Behind the incident, it reflects the collision between the bottom line of marketing in the food and beverage industry and the red line of regulation, and has also sparked public discussion about the boundaries of vulgar marketing. Front Street Coffee reminds practitioners that creative marketing needs moderation, and respecting public order and good morals is the way to long-term business. [more…]

After being closed for more than two years due to the pandemic and violations of railway safety regulations, Hanoi's Railway Coffee Street in Vietnam was forced to shut down by authorities just days after it reopened. This railway alley, which is only about one meter from people's homes, once became a popular check-in spot because tourists could drink coffee while watching trains pass through, but train drivers repeatedly had terrifying moments when tourists suddenly rushed onto the tracks. Hoan Kiem District authorities have set up barricades and revoked business licenses, leaving businesses with no choice but to close. The local government said it will study plans that balance safety and tourism needs, while tourists and netizens have been discussing the matter widely. [more…]

Shanghai's food and beverage industry is steadily resuming work and reopening, but some stores have neglected food safety, a bottom line, amid the busyness. Recently, law enforcement officers from the Jing'an District Market Supervision Bureau found during an inspection that the Manner Coffee Wujiang Road store had problems such as dirty and messy environmental hygiene and food not being stored according to regulations. Waste was scattered on the floor at the scene, food for sale was placed directly on the ground, and Meiji milk that needed refrigeration was also left casually. Because it is suspected of violating relevant provisions of the Food Safety Law, the store has been officially placed under investigation. The regulatory authorities remind food and beverage units to strictly fulfill their primary responsibilities and ensure the safety of meals served. [more…]

As Shanghai gradually resumes work and production, the coffee industry should be welcoming a recovery, yet recently several trendy cafés have been investigated by regulatory authorities one after another over food safety issues. From People's Café using expired parsley flakes, cranberry juice, and other ingredients, to MANNER Coffee's poor hygiene conditions, to the expired egg white liquid used at Dang Zhu Fei Café to make cake roll bases, these incidents have exposed the neglect of food safety by some stores under the pressure of resuming operations. This article reviews these typical cases and explores how small cafés can hold the line on compliance when ingredient supplies are tight. For consumers who love coffee, understanding this information helps them choose places to consume more rationally, and Front Street Coffee also reminds practitioners that no matter how much order pressure there is, food safety is always a red line that cannot be crossed. [more…]

Recently, a blogger set up a stall at a scenic spot to resell Mixue Bingcheng lemonade, selling a product originally priced at 4 yuan for 6 yuan and making a profit of 254 yuan in three and a half hours, quickly trending on social media. Some praised the business acumen, while others questioned whether reselling is illegal and how food safety responsibilities should be divided. Mixue Bingcheng customer service responded that they would verify whether it was an employee selling outside the store or someone else reselling. Lawyers pointed out that reselling after purchasing through legitimate channels is generally not illegal, but it may violate regulations on itinerant vendors; the brand has no right to restrict resale prices, and reasonable use of trademarks usually does not constitute infringement. Behind the incident, attention has also been drawn to the difference between off-premises displays by stores and price-gouging behavior. Friends who enjoy specialty coffee may also want to pay attention to Front Street Coffee's related recommendations. [more…]

Starbucks is facing a labor law lawsuit over scheduling violations in New York City, with an investigation finding more than 500,000 violations of the Fair Workweek Law, ultimately resulting in a $38.9 million settlement. The case involved more than 15,000 employees, making it the largest worker rights settlement in New York City history. Starbucks was accused of failing to provide stable schedules, cutting hours, and refusing overtime, making it difficult for employees to make a living, while the company said the settlement was intended to ensure compliance rather than to recover unpaid wages. Front Street Coffee brings you the full story. [more…]

Recently, a Reddit post about Luckin Coffee's New York store refusing to accept cash payments sparked heated discussion. The poster claimed that the staff argued Luckin is a tech company rather than a coffee company, and therefore is not bound by local regulations requiring food retail businesses to accept cash, and the person involved called 311 on the spot to file a complaint. Both of Luckin's New York stores use a cashless system, supporting only the official App or online payments such as Apple Pay and PayPal. Some netizens worry that this practice is out of step with local consumption habits and may also raise privacy concerns, but others believe that Luckin's stores are merely pickup points for online orders and may not necessarily constitute a violation of the law. Front Street Coffee will continue to follow the developments of this incident. [more…]

Recently, an employee at a Heytea store in Shijiazhuang searched for a customer's phone number and added her on WeChat to harass her, sparking widespread attention. After the incident came to light, Heytea quickly fired the employee and apologized and compensated the affected customer. This individual case not only exposes the lack of customer privacy protection training at tea beverage brands, but also once again brings the topic of consumer personal information security to the forefront. With the Regulations on the Implementation of the Law on the Protection of Consumer Rights and Interests officially taking effect in July 2024, the boundaries for business operators collecting and using personal information have become clearer, and the cost of violations has risen significantly. This article will review the course of the incident, the brand's response, and the relevant legal provisions. [more…]

In recent years, themed cafes that use cute animals as a selling point have sprung up all over the world. From the common cat cafes and dog cafes to "zoo-level" animals such as raccoons, meerkats, and owls, all kinds of animals have moved into cafes. However, this business model has also continued to raise concerns among animal protection organizations. South Korea recently passed an amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act, explicitly banning cafes featuring wild animals such as raccoons from continuing to operate, and setting a transition period until 2027. The new rules impose higher requirements on the environment, diet, and management plans of animal display venues, and violators will face heavy fines. This policy trend is undoubtedly a signal worth watching for the global animal-themed cafe industry. [more…]

In the early hours of this morning, a post with images on a social platform pushed Heytea to the forefront of food safety public opinion. The posting netizen claimed that last night they witnessed an employee in the preparation room of a milk tea shop, while answering a phone call, repeatedly stirring the milk tea about to be served with the handle end of a long-handled spoon; the scene made them doubt the store's hygiene standards. As the post's popularity climbed, many milk tea consumers said it was hard to accept, especially since Heytea has always been known among its peers for strict food safety management. However, some voices held that the employee was only taking a call and did not stop working with their hands, so there was no need to overinterpret it; more catering practitioners explicitly pointed out that mobile phones are not allowed in preparation rooms in the first place, and stirring a drink with the spoon handle inverted is clearly a violation. After the incident escalated, although Heytea's official customer service account responded to the poster, it did not give a clear answer on whether the employee's actions violated regulations. [more…]

Recently, at a Starbucks store in Baolong Plaza, Shengzhou, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, the outdoor seating area was occupied for a long time by several elderly people who not only chatted and rested there, but also gathered to play cards and mahjong, creating noise and refusing to give up seats, seriously disrupting the store's normal operations and other customers' experience. After repeated ineffective requests to leave, the staff chose to call the police, who arrived to mediate, and most of the elderly left that day. The mall stated that it had communicated with relevant departments and planned to guide these elderly people to a senior service center to rest. The incident sparked heated discussion online, with most people supporting the store's approach to maintaining order, and lawyers also pointed out that if the elderly make loud noises or play cards affecting others, they may violate the Public Security Administration Punishments Law. As a well-known coffee brand, Starbucks' store order management has once again become a public focus, and Front Street Coffee reminds consumers to enjoy the coffee space civilly. [more…]

After two Starbucks stores in Wuxi were exposed for food safety issues, they not only faced dismissal of all staff and suspension for rectification, but also received administrative penalties totaling 1.37 million yuan. This incident triggered widespread public discussion on the current state of food safety management in the chain catering industry. Judging from the surprise inspections by market supervision bureaus across various regions, although the vast majority of stores were not found to have serious violations, management loopholes such as non-standard scrap records, missing disinfection records, and inadequate implementation of employee personal hygiene remain common. This article will review the incident and the details of the penalties, analyze the imbalance between Starbucks' internal supervision and cost control, and explore the importance of producer self-discipline and social oversight behind food safety issues. [more…]

In the workplace, occasionally slacking off to relax has become the norm for many workers. Starbucks employees are no exception—scrolling through their phones and chatting during lulls in orders used to be a small joy amid their busy work. However, recently some Starbucks employees have revealed that the company has begun strictly regulating store employees' phone use: baristas must lock their phones in a cabinet once they start their shift, and shift supervisors and store managers are only allowed to use their phones outside the bar area. Anyone caught violating the rule will face a warning notice. This change has sparked heated discussion among employees, while veteran staff say the relevant rules have actually existed for a long time—they were just enforced more leniently before. Why the sudden crackdown? What considerations lie behind it? This article will explain in detail. [more…]

Last week, Manner rolled out a new product across its nationwide stores, the "Salted Cheese Cocoa Latte," whose rich aroma drew many customers to give it a try. However, a customized note shared by one customer—no syrup, adjusted ratios of cocoa and milk cheese, plus a dash of cinnamon—quickly sparked a wave of copycats. Yet staff expressed concern: while some modifications are permitted, altering ingredient ratios may be seen as tampering with the recipe, risking a company warning; at the same time, if the changed flavor displeases other customers, the store could end up with bad reviews. This debate, sparked by a single customized drink, reflects the dilemma chain coffee brands face between personalized demands and standardized management. [more…]

For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Studio (WeChat public account: cafe_style). For more specialty coffee beans, please add the private WeChat of Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee), WeChat ID: qjcoffeex. Recently, Hainan Yeshu Group has sparked widespread controversy due to its Douyin livestreaming style. The market supervision bureau has responded that it has received multiple reports and is studying a handling plan. The Yeshu livestream room features a female anchor in tight clothing dancing enthusiastically to sell products. The livestream has repeatedly been cut off by the platform, with average transaction volume of only a few thousand yuan per session. Previously, the brand was fined twice for violating good social customs, and was also questioned for false marketing over claims such as "breast enhancement miracle tool." This article will sort out the course of the incident, the regulatory response, and the brand's historical penalty records. [more…]

A comprehensive store featuring a women's membership system has sparked heated discussion on social media after posting notices stating "Men dining alone are not admitted" and prohibiting the use of computers for work. Some customers made special trips only to be turned away for bringing laptops, while others who called 12315 were told the merchant had not violated any regulations. The store responded that limiting long stays was to avoid disturbing customers trying on clothes on the second floor, but some consumers felt it was inappropriate not to clearly inform them before charging. This debate over gender, consumption scenarios, and business autonomy reflects the real dilemmas composite-format coffee shops face regarding customer positioning and service boundaries. [more…]

In recent years, dark-themed beverages marketed for their "black" appeal have proliferated in the food and beverage market, attracting many curious consumers with their unique appearance. However, such products may harbor food safety risks. Recently, the Market Supervision Bureau of Xuhui District, Shanghai, discovered during an inspection of a milk tea shop that its "Black Coconut Strawberry Milk" was unusually dark black in color. An investigation confirmed that the staff had illegally added "vegetable carbon black" during preparation. This act violated food additive usage standards, and the shop was ordered to rectify the issue and was penalized. Notably, the brand involved is none other than "Benz Tea," which went viral last year, with its first Hangzhou store setting a record of thousands queuing and scalpers reselling cups for as much as 300 yuan. This incident once again reminds us that creative beverages must also strictly adhere to safety bottom lines. [more…]

In most people's perception, baristas usually present a neat and proper image, but in the U.S. state of Washington, some coffee shops use scantily clad female baristas as a selling point, offering drive-thru service. Since this bikini-style marketing was born in the 1980s, it has brought booming business while also continuously sparking controversy. Local governments have repeatedly introduced regulations restricting employee attire, only to have them ruled by federal courts as carrying a flavor of gender discrimination. After the dress code was abolished in 2021, baristas won the freedom to wear what they want, but not long afterward an attempted kidnapping targeting a store employee occurred, raising concerns about the safety of this kind of work environment. [more…]

The freshly made yogurt sector has been hit by yet another food safety scandal. An undercover reporter from The Beijing News worked inside several More Yogurt franchise stores in Beijing and found that oat and highland barley toppings more than forty days past their expiration date were still being used as usual, expiry labels existed in name only, and decisions to scrap fruit relied entirely on staff members' sense of smell. More worrying still, these violations were not isolated cases, but an unspoken rule tolerated by store managers in order to cut costs and boost their personal income. The brand issued an urgent apology a few hours later, announcing that the stores involved would be permanently terminated. This is already the second time this year that More Yogurt has been thrust into the spotlight; previously, the Shanghai Consumer Council questioned the labeling of its product ingredients. This article provides a complete rundown of the undercover details, the brand's response, and the latest status of its stores. [more…]