The recent fierce subsidy war among food delivery platforms has given consumers a large number of free tea drink vouchers, causing chain tea shops to be flooded with orders. However, at stores like Mixue Bingcheng, a phenomenon has emerged where customers place self-pickup orders but never come to collect them, resulting in large quantities of freshly made drinks being discarded. This article sorts out the multiple reasons behind this waste: chaotic pickup scenes, order notes being overlooked, excessively long waiting times, and more. It also introduces the countermeasures stores have taken to reduce losses, while retaining relevant recommendation information for the Front Street brand. [more…]

Bawang Chaji celebrates its seventh anniversary. All stores in Malaysia launched a tear-the-cup lucky draw campaign on the 16th and 17th, with prizes including discount vouchers, branded backpacks, electronic products, perfumes, and lipsticks, attracting a large number of consumers to place orders enthusiastically. However, after the campaign began, order volumes surged at many stores, with some stores having more than a thousand or even over three thousand drinks awaiting preparation, leading to a series of problems such as excessively long waits to pick up orders, the ordering system being unable to cancel orders, and declining product quality. Consumers expressed dissatisfaction one after another, believing that the brand should have anticipated the campaign's popularity in advance and adopted flow-control measures. This article reviews the course of the incident and feedback from all parties, for the reference of coffee and tea beverage enthusiasts. [more…]

After the first Hangzhou store of BONJOUR, a Suzhou milk tea brand, opened, its online ordering showed over a thousand cups in production ahead, with wait times often reaching seven to eight hours or even more than ten. Consumers posted screenshots of their orders, sparking heated debate: Is a cup of milk tea worth such a long wait? A reporter's visit found no long lines on site, but chaotic pickup and sold-out popular items. Some consumers admitted the taste was nothing special and they were just following the trend. Netizens questioned whether this was hunger marketing and suggested waiting for this "Hangzhou fad" to pass before trying. This article will explore the phenomenon and reflections behind this milk tea queue controversy. [more…]

Chagee has recently opened new stores in Hainan, Fujian, Guangdong and other places, launching a 9.9 yuan promotional offer that has attracted large numbers of consumers to line up to buy. However, many customers who ordered in advance through the mini-program still encountered a second queue when picking up their drinks at the store. Employees at some stores did not check the pickup codes and distributed drinks on a first-come, first-served basis, causing chaos at the pickup scene. Consumers complained that what was supposed to save time turned into waiting in line for more than half an hour, an experience inconsistent with the official claim of "pick up in store without queuing." Long-time users were not surprised by this phenomenon, believing that low-priced promotional items are made in concentrated batches and that employees ignore pickup codes and taste notes in order to improve efficiency. But most netizens are worried that this move will affect the brand's image, and some even speculate whether it is done intentionally to create a bustling scene. [more…]

HEYTEA's collaboration with the popular Japanese anime "Chiikawa" officially launched today, instantly igniting the buying frenzy of fans and consumers. Although the brand had stocked up on merchandise in advance, avoiding an instant sell-out, the massive volume of orders still caught stores off guard: some stores accumulated over a hundred drinks within ten minutes of opening, with themed stores in Shanghai, Guangzhou and other cities receiving as many as seven to eight hundred orders, forcing online ordering channels to be shut down. On-site pickup lines stretched for several meters, with many consumers waiting one to two hours to get their drinks and merchandise, and some even waiting as long as three hours. Meanwhile, the mini-program showing "order ready" in advance while drinks could not be found in the pickup area further exacerbated the on-site chaos. Behind the popularity of this collaboration event, the brand's operational shortcomings in handling instant traffic surges have also been exposed. [more…]

Recently, the buzz around the "Ne Zha 2" collaboration swept through the coffee world, and Cotti Coffee seized the moment to launch themed limited-edition drinks and merchandise, drawing a large crowd of consumers to its stores. Yet just three days into the campaign, some locations saw delivery riders swarming the pickup area, merchandise running out, and staff so swamped they could barely catch their breath. The reason: JD Instant Delivery rolled out hefty subsidies the same day, letting users get takeaway coffee for just a few yuan—or even barely over one yuan—causing order volumes to explode instantly. Caught between collaboration fans and deal-hunters, Cotti stores were severely understaffed, and production efficiency couldn't keep up with demand. Customers waited one to two hours only to leave empty-handed, and negative reviews and complaints poured in. Why did this seemingly lively marketing tie-in turn into a nightmare for frontline employees? Front Street Coffee walks you through the whole story. [more…]

A new round of subsidy battles on delivery platforms has once again ignited the tea beverage market, with Meituan handing out large numbers of tea drink vouchers, while Ele.me and Taobao Flash Sale fight back with hefty discounts. However, after claiming the vouchers, many consumers found that Goodme stores in Shenzhen, Xi'an, Chengdu, Nanning, and other places showed as "resting/closed" or out of stock on third-party platforms, making it impossible to redeem normally. Interestingly, the same stores were still open on the official mini-program, and products included in the promotion, such as lemonade, could still be ordered. The contradiction between stores actually being overwhelmed with orders and appearing "closed" online has led many to speculate that this is a measure taken by the brand to ease order pressure. Consumers have expressed dissatisfaction over the chaotic promotion, orders being automatically canceled, and no stock upon arrival at stores. Front Street Coffee continues to follow industry developments and brings in-depth observations. [more…]

The subsidy war ignited by food delivery platforms has drawn in chain brands like Luckin Coffee and Mixue Bingcheng. A Luckin store in Chengdu was recently overwhelmed by a flood of orders due to a "0-yuan purchase" promotion, with some stores receiving over a thousand drinks to be made within an hour. However, after the promotion ended, staff found a large number of unclaimed drinks while cleaning up the counter, with the ice long melted. Impulse orders driven by consumers' "bargain-hunting" mentality not only caused food waste but also increased the burden on store workers. In response, some suggested switching to in-store freshly made orders, but Luckin employees said this would be fraught with practical difficulties. This article takes you through the full picture of this order surge and the views of all parties involved. [more…]

For drivers who want a cup of coffee, the biggest headache is often not placing the order, but finding a parking space. Parking on the roadside risks a ticket, while entering a parking lot feels like too much hassle—a dilemma that has given rise to a new way of thinking. Starbucks China recently partnered with Amap to pilot a "curbside pickup" service at selected stores in Beijing and Shanghai: users plan their route and place an order in advance, and a barista waits at a designated roadside spot, so the drink can be collected as soon as the car arrives. This feature saves more time on parking and queuing than the traditional "drive-thru," but it requires an extra service fee and currently covers only about 150 stores. Can it truly solve the pain point of meal pickup for commuters, and what challenges will it bring to store operations? This article takes you through a closer look. [more…]

Since its launch in March this year, the "curbside pickup" service jointly introduced by Starbucks and Amap has aimed to provide a convenient coffee-buying experience for drivers and passengers during rush hour and on busy roads. However, a special promotion during the National Day holiday sparked considerable controversy. Due to limited stock, many customers were unable to get the cute pet tote bag offered as a gift in the campaign; at the same time, the ordering system had problems such as inaccurate route matching and closed stores still being able to accept orders, greatly reducing the user experience. In addition, the extra 3 yuan service fee also made some users feel it was unreasonable. Although Starbucks hoped to use this service to expand into new scenarios, the various inconveniences in actual operation led many netizens to question whether it was adequately prepared. This article will sort out the highlights of the campaign and user feedback in detail, and explore room for improvement in the curbside pickup service. [more…]

Starbucks dropped a bombshell at its latest earnings call: it will completely phase out the "Pick-up Only" pure pickup store format by 2026. This decision affects nearly 90 stores across more than 20 states in the U.S. Once upon a time, these small stores focused on "order online, pick up in store" were seen as the future of coffee consumption, especially beloved during the pandemic. Yet six years later, Starbucks executives have found that consumers crave face-to-face interaction and the warm atmosphere of a coffee shop, not a cold pickup window. The CEO bluntly called such stores "too cold and lacking human touch," running counter to Starbucks' core brand philosophy. This article will review the rise and fall of the pickup store model, Starbucks' strategic pivot, and the brand's future plans on its digital path. [more…]

Recently, a customer in Guizhou, unable to find the store for a self-pickup order, demanded delivery instead. When refused, they went to the shop and poured coffee over the bar counter. The incident, reported by multiple media outlets, sparked widespread discussion. The barista, working alone, could not leave the store to deliver, while the customer vented frustration through harassing phone calls and pouring coffee. Netizens generally agreed the barista's actions were understandable and the customer's behavior was excessive. The shop involved did not call the police, and employees cleaned up themselves. Front Street Coffee reminds that self-pickup orders can be handled via errand services, and only civilized communication can resolve conflicts. [more…]

In the food and beverage industry, coffee shops face all kinds of customer feedback every day, and negative reviews are undoubtedly the most exasperating part of it all. As a chain brand far ahead of its rivals in both store count and sales in China, Luckin Coffee has received some truly absurd negative reviews. From "freezing hands" to "my ex," from "the label wasn't stuck on straight" to "because he's so handsome it got to me," these complaints not only catch staff off guard but also reflect the pressure frontline employees bear now that the rating system is tied to performance. This article rounds up those hilarious yet heartbreaking screenshots of Luckin reviews from Xiaohongshu, and amid the laughter, calls on consumers to show a little more empathy. One less negative review means one less heartbroken person in the world. [more…]

Recently, a netizen discovered a notice in the pickup area of a Nayuki store that read "Not Heytea. If picked up by mistake, compensation at full price," with the words "call the police" also handwritten in the blank space. After the photo was shared online, it quickly sparked heated discussion. Netizens familiar with tea beverage brands pointed out that Heytea and Nayuki differ noticeably in name, logo, and store style, so confusion should not occur under normal circumstances. Some even joked that the words "Heytea" highlighted in red and enlarged on the notice could instead easily lead hurried delivery riders to mistake this store for Heytea, making the reminder counterproductive. Through this strongly warning notice, many people saw the helplessness of Nayuki employees—after a delivery order is taken by mistake, the employee on duty not only has to deal with customer dissatisfaction but also has to bear the corresponding loss. [more…]

Recently, a tea beverage shop in Zhejiang, frustrated by frequent pickup thefts of its delivery orders, put up a special poster of condemnation. This poster was not promoting products, but directly calling out the meal thieves, and even included a photo of the thief's back. After the incident was reported by the media, it sparked public discussion about delivery security and how businesses defend their rights. How effective was this poster, and why did the shop eventually take it down? Let's learn the whole story. [more…]

Recently, Chayan Yuese has once again become the center of public attention due to its ordering and pickup rules. Some customers at the Changsha airport store waited nearly fifty minutes before getting their drinks, questioning its cumbersome ordering process and unreasonable marketing methods, which struck a chord with many. In fact, Chayan Yuese has adjusted its ordering rules multiple times, and consumers have kept complaining. Although the company responded officially that the new rules are meant to ensure the texture of the milk foam, netizens were not convinced. This article reviews the course of the incident, the views of various parties, and the brand's response, and explores the logic and controversy behind the queuing phenomenon in the milk tea industry. [more…]

Luckin Coffee's latest 2023 store price list has been announced, clearly listing prices for series such as the Classic Latte, SOE Little Black Cup, and the Raw Coconut Family. However, consumers have recently discovered that the same drink is priced differently at different stores, and in some cases the pickup price is even higher than the delivery price—a phenomenon that has sparked widespread discussion. Luckin Coffee officially responded that, due to differences in logistics and operating costs, stores may apply for price adjustments, with a maximum increase of 3 yuan. This article compiles the complete price list and reviews the changes in Luckin's pricing strategy and their impact on consumers. [more…]

A customer purchased a Starbucks Frappuccino coupon on Meituan, successfully placed an order and received a pickup code, but upon walking to the store to collect the drink, discovered that the store had already closed down. The store's phone was disconnected, and Starbucks customer service and Meituan customer service passed the buck to each other over refund responsibility, leaving the consumer in a predicament. An investigation revealed that the store is located at Suning Plaza on Jiefang Road in Xi'an, where the mall is undergoing comprehensive renovation, and the store has actually ceased operations—yet the official app still showed it as open, and orders could even be placed through "Feikuai." Ultimately, after the customer's feedback, Starbucks shut down the ordering channel, Meituan refunded the order amount and stopped delivery services. The incident also sparked discussions among netizens about wrong-store pickup services and the 12315 complaint channel. [more…]

The subsidy war among food delivery platforms continues to heat up. After Meituan rolled out free redemption vouchers for Luckin Coffee, a large number of consumers rushed to place orders for "0-yuan coffee." Yet just half a day after the promotion began, Luckin stores across the Jiaxing area were successively shown as temporarily closed, with delivery channels almost entirely shut down. Pickup counters were piled high with drinks, takeaway bags occupied the customer area, staff worked nonstop with no time to eat, and riders even switched to three-wheeled flatbed carts to make deliveries. This sudden surge of overwhelming orders not only exposed the disconnect in communication between the platform and merchants, but also placed enormous pressure on store operations and the delivery process. [more…]

Every year during the final exam season at the end of June, coffee shops on university campuses become students' life-saving energy stations. Campus stores of Luckin, Cotti, and others see orders surge, with pickup areas piled high with drinks, and waiting for a cup of coffee often taking nearly an hour. However, a Luckin near a university was unexpectedly empty at noon, with its pickup window blocked and a closure notice posted—staff who had not had a proper rest for two consecutive months simply could not withstand the order pressure of exam week. A Gu Ming milk tea shop on the same campus also temporarily closed. Behind this campus coffee order explosion is both students' preference for value-for-money brands and the revealed dilemma of store staffing. [more…]