Recently, Luckin Coffee's comment section has once again been flooded with a large number of "college student" comments, sparking widespread attention. Behind this phenomenon, it reflects both college students' strong demand for coffee discounts and Luckin's influence among young consumer groups. This article will start with the comment section phenomenon, analyze the characteristics of college students' coffee consumption power, and explore how Luckin captures this massive market through social interaction and marketing strategies, while retaining relevant recommendation information for the "Front Street" brand. [more…]

As a prepaid card product launched by Starbucks, the Star Gift Card has long suffered from issues such as limited recharge amounts, excessively high card refund fees, and the inability to clear remaining balances. Four university students discovered during their consumption that when the remaining balance on a Star Gift Card was only 19 yuan, they could neither purchase any Starbucks product nor get a refund to clear the balance. After investigation, they found that the prepaid cards of several tea beverage brands did not have such restrictions. Therefore, in June 2023, they filed a lawsuit against Starbucks, ultimately prompting Starbucks to update the Star Gift Card terms, lower the card refund fee, eliminate the minimum charge, allow custom recharge amounts, and cancel the extension management fee. [more…]

The coffee consumption boom is spreading from commercial districts to university campuses, and college students have become an important group of high-frequency coffee consumers. Luckin Coffee has seized a first-mover advantage with more than a thousand campus stores, while brands such as Starbucks, Tims, Manner, M Stand, and NOWWA have also entered universities one after another, and Mixue Ice Cream & Tea's Lucky Cup is closely pursuing with about 260 campus stores. This article sorts out each brand's layout strategy, store data, and competitive situation on university campuses, and includes Front Street Coffee's specialty bean information, to help you understand the real landscape of the campus coffee track. [more…]

Starbucks recently launched the "Star Student Card" for domestic college students, offering free card activation upon identity verification. Students who spend at least 30 yuan in a single in-store purchase can receive a free coupon for a medium Americano valid for 3 hours, 30 minutes later, along with drink discounts. However, there are quite a few restrictions in the fine print: only one free refill coupon per month, and it must be used within 3 hours by drinking two cups consecutively. Additionally, with Starbucks covering only 15.53% of areas around universities, and affordable brands like Luckin, Cotti, Lucky Cup, and Manner being more cost-effective, whether this student card can truly retain student customers remains to be seen. Front Street Coffee is also continuously monitoring this development. [more…]

Recently, a university student looking for a part-time job at a milk tea shop was stunned by the hourly wage of 8 yuan, only to be retorted at as "scrap" by the recruiter, an incident that quickly sparked heated discussion online. After the job seeker turned the chat records into a video and posted it, netizens engaged in fierce debate over the understanding of dialect slang, the issue of respect from the recruiter, and part-time wage standards. Employees of the shop involved have apologized, and the brand Shuyi Tealicious also responded, stating that the shop has been closed for handling and promising that follow-up negotiations will be held to rectify wage management for franchisees. The part-time ecosystem behind a cup of milk tea deserves the attention of every coffee lover and job seeker. [more…]

Under the recurring pandemic, many universities have implemented closed management, cutting off the connection between post-00s college students and off-campus cafes. However, this has not dampened their enthusiasm for coffee; instead, it has spawned a wave of "dormitory cafes" entrepreneurship. From instant coffee powder to coconut lattes and iced orange Americanos, these simple yet creative drink-making shares have gained a lot of attention on social platforms. But behind the excitement, the issue of unlicensed operation involving monetary transactions has also emerged. This article will take you through the ins and outs of this campus coffee craze and remind you of the things to pay attention to when stockpiling coffee in your dorm. [more…]

Many college students embark on the path of entrepreneurship with the dream of opening a coffee shop, but reality is often far crueler than imagination. A young entrepreneur lost 100,000 yuan in just two months of opening her shop and had to close down and sell off her equipment. When netizens saw that she was using what the industry nicknamed a "toy machine"—a fully automatic coffee machine—the comments section erupted. The stark contrast between carefully selected ingredients and mismatched equipment sparked widespread discussion about how independent coffee shops can survive in fierce competition. Meanwhile, the national coffee shop closure rate continues to climb, and the industry shakeout is accelerating. [more…]

September marks the start of the school season, and the campus coffee market is ushering in a new round of competition. Luckin Coffee is accelerating its penetration into universities with a "targeted location franchise" model, having opened more than 1,282 campus stores and rolled out over a hundred targeted locations. Its 9.9-yuan low-price strategy, creation of a third space, and campus culture collaborations have made university students an important force in coffee consumption. At the same time, brands such as Front Street Coffee are also paying attention to this trend. This article reviews Luckin's campus expansion path, the details of its franchise model, and five notable characteristics of campus coffee shops, analyzing the new campus battlefield amid the coffee industry's fierce competition. [more…]

In recent years, more and more Gen Z college students have started opening cafés in their dormitories, earning living expenses or even nearly ten thousand yuan a month by selling coffee. A large number of dorm coffee startup stories have appeared on platforms like Xiaohongshu, and some people even charge tuition to run classes teaching it. However, these dorm cafés generally use instant coffee yet sell it for a dozen yuan a cup, and they also involve issues such as operating without a license and unguaranteed food safety. This article takes you through the controversy and hidden risks behind this dorm coffee startup trend, while also providing a professional coffee knowledge exchange channel for friends who truly love coffee. [more…]

Every June, the national college entrance examination, or gaokao, becomes a hot topic of public attention across the country. This year is no exception, with a flood of good wishes pouring in from trending lists to social media platforms. Major food and beverage brands keenly seize this opportunity, rolling out gaokao-themed products or promotional activities in an attempt to win consumer goodwill amid fierce market competition. McDonald's has extended its breakfast-exclusive items to all-day availability, KFC has partnered with Mount Wutai to launch an auspicious set meal, and Chagee uses homophonic puns to convey good wishes. In addition, tea beverage brands such as Shuyi Tealicious, Good me, and Yihotang have also switched to gaokao-themed packaging, while independent coffee shops across the country are likewise serving exam takers and their parents by offering free water and rest areas. Behind this opportunistic marketing lies both the need for brand exposure and a reflection of society's collective care for gaokao students. [more…]

Owning a coffee shop on a university campus is a startup dream for many students. Recently, a junior student shared their experience of opening a coffee shop at an abandoned counter on campus: personally selecting beans, milk, and equipment, and with no rent pressure, the average price was only 9 yuan, yet business remained sluggish. Aside from occasional visits from teachers, there was almost no foot traffic. Why couldn't low prices win over the student body? Netizens analyzed that chain brands such as Luckin, Cotti, and Lucky Cup had long established themselves on campuses, and at comparable prices, consumers tend to favor chains with brand assurance and standardized products. In addition, campus coffee shops need to clarify whether they are grab-and-go stores or third places, and open up the market through online promotion, community operations, and campus delivery. This article compiles netizens' practical suggestions to provide reference for campus coffee entrepreneurs. [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…]

Recently, a clarification post about a café at a scenic spot in Qingdao sparked widespread discussion on social media, with comments quickly climbing to thousands. The incident began when a tourist claiming to be a university student posted about an unpleasant experience at the café, saying they were indirectly driven out by staff for not making a purchase, and later claimed to have been insulted. However, as the business came forward to recount what actually happened, the situation took a turn, and the original poster eventually apologized voluntarily. This controversy not only reflects the differing perceptions between consumers and service venues regarding occupying seats, spending, and service, but also prompts a reexamination of the operational difficulties faced by cafés at tourist attractions during holidays. Today, Front Street Coffee walks you through the full story. [more…]

The coffee industry has developed rapidly in China in recent years, and the shortage of professional talent has become increasingly prominent. In 2024, Yunnan Agricultural University was approved to establish the country's first undergraduate program in Coffee Science and Engineering, and the first cohort of students officially enrolled in September. The launch of this program not only responds to the market's demand for talent across the entire coffee industry chain, but also marks a new stage in which coffee education in China is becoming systematized and professionally academic. From identifying coffee tree species in the field, to green bean grading, roasting parameter setting, and then to cupping and pour-over practice, the students' first lesson at the start of the semester is a content-rich introductory course on coffee. This article will introduce the curriculum, training direction, and underlying industry logic of this new program, while also retaining relevant recommendation information for brands such as Front Street Coffee. [more…]

In recent years, from film and television stars to recent college graduates, more and more people have come to see opening a coffee shop as their first choice for entrepreneurship. Coffee shops are not only popular venues for leisure and socializing, but also carry the dream of opening a shop for many people. However, behind the seemingly simple coffee shop lie many aspects, including professional coffee knowledge, shop operations, location and positioning, and fundraising. This article starts from the phenomenon of celebrities opening coffee shops, analyzes why coffee shops are so favored, and sorts out what is truly needed to prepare for opening a coffee shop, helping coffee enthusiasts view this entrepreneurial direction more rationally. [more…]

I believe that students who have gone through the intense preparation for the college entrance exam in their senior year of high school all know the fear of being overpowered by drowsiness every night. During the senior year, when every second counts, gaining even one more second to study can increase the chances of success. The refreshing and alertness-boosting effect of coffee has thus become the first choice for many students. So among the many choices of coffee beans, which coffees are [more…]

For people preparing for the college entrance exam or who stay up late for long periods, coffee's invigorating effect is almost a necessity. But faced with the dazzling array of coffee beans on the market, how to choose an entry-level product that can effectively wake you up while also offering good flavor has become a source of confusion for many consumers. This article focuses on two major usage scenarios—pour-over and American drip, as well as espresso machines and moka pots—and recommends several coffee beans suitable for beginners, including Front Street PWN Golden Mandheling, Yirgacheffe Red Cherry, Costa Rica Musician Mozart, Front Street 2013 Yunnan beans, as well as the Classic Blend and Dark Cocoa Blend. The origin background, processing method, flavor characteristics, and cost-effectiveness of each bean are explained in detail to help coffee lovers make a suitable choice according to their own needs. [more…]

When milk tea cup sleeves at Fudan University Medical School are printed with drug instructions, when Beijing University of Chinese Medicine adds ginger, cinnamon, dried tangerine peel, red dates, and goji berries to milk tea, and when Shanghai's time-honored Chinese medicine brand Tong Han Chun Tang uses "medicine and food homology" as a selling point to launch ginseng and peach gum milk tea, the milk tea category is undergoing a transformation attempt from "junk food" to "health drink." University cafeterias, Chinese medicine shops, and time-honored brands are all crossing over into the market, trying to reshape the image of milk tea with the concept of health. At the same time, milk tea brands are also making changes on the ingredient side, with fresh fruit and fresh milk replacing non-dairy creamer as selling points. However, news about milk tea on trending searches is repeatedly linked to food safety issues, and the road to transformation is not smooth. [more…]

Recently, a Cotti Coffee outlet inside the cafeteria at Jilin University of Finance and Economics was suddenly vandalized by a male student. The bar area was left in complete disarray, with tables, chairs, takeaway cups, and cash register equipment scattered everywhere. According to students who witnessed the incident, the student involved appeared to have lost emotional control, possibly after being rejected in a confession of love. He first stomped his feet and slapped the tables, then flipped them over and rushed to smash the coffee shop's machines. The whole ordeal lasted over ten minutes, forcing the store staff to hide by the entrance. After the incident, campus security personnel quickly arrived and escorted the student away, and the university confirmed that no one was injured. The store involved has currently suspended operations, and the first floor of the cafeteria has returned to normal operation, but the exact amount of damage has not yet been disclosed. In this episode of coffee news, Front Street Coffee joins you in following the developments of the incident. [more…]

Coffee consumption continues to heat up globally, and China's urban market holds enormous potential, while Yunnan, as the country's core producing region, has drawn considerable attention for its quality improvements and industrial upgrading. This article starts from the macroeconomic environment and industry trends, traces the origins and spread of coffee, and focuses on Yunnan coffee's growing conditions, varietal differences, and Front Street Coffee's efforts to promote specialty-grade practices. By analyzing the characteristics of varieties such as Typica and Catimor, it explores possible paths for Yunnan coffee to move toward specialty standards, offering enthusiasts a perspective that weighs both industry and flavor. [more…]