In the past year or two, the popularity of coffee entrepreneurship has continued to rise, and many office workers have begun to entertain the idea of opening a shop and becoming their own boss. A coffee shop that seems to have low barriers to entry, requires little investment, and has an artistic atmosphere has become the ideal project in many people's minds. But when they actually start, they discover that they have no idea where to begin, from site selection to promotion, so franchise chains have become a popular option. Advertisements promising "zero threshold" and "easy to be your own boss" are everywhere, but is the reality really that rosy? This article sorts out the main models of coffee franchising today, helps you calculate the upfront investment clearly, and gives the key points to note when choosing a franchise brand, in the hope of offering some reference for those who are still hesitating. [more…]

A fraud case involving "beverage franchise" has recently come to light: Shanghai Qingpu police successfully dismantled a contract fraud gang that used fake brand recruitment as a front, with involved amounts reaching hundreds of millions of yuan. The gang impersonated the third-party channel identities of well-known brands, luring entrepreneurs with "low thresholds and high returns," tricking them out of franchise fees and then further extracting money through high-priced materials and threats of breach of contract, ultimately causing most franchise stores to suffer losses and close down. Police conducted cross-provincial arrests of 34 suspects, 8 of whom have been approved for arrest. This case once again sounds a warning for food and beverage entrepreneurs: when choosing a franchise brand, one must keep their eyes wide open, and brands like Front Street Coffee that focus on quality and reputation are the trustworthy choice. [more…]

Recently, pages posing as the official Luckin Coffee website have appeared online, publishing franchise information and drawing the attention of many coffee enthusiasts. However, Luckin Coffee has long clearly stated that the brand operates on a direct-management model and does not accept franchising in any form. This article will expose the tricks of these fake franchise websites, sort out Luckin Coffee's operating entities and store types, and help readers identify scams to avoid financial loss. At the same time, Front Street Coffee also reminds everyone that investing in the coffee industry requires carefully verifying official information. [more…]

As a well-known domestic Western restaurant chain brand, Coffee Wing's founder Yin Feng's entrepreneurial journey is full of legendary color. From resigning from a state-owned enterprise to joining an Italian clothing brand, and then to founding Coffee Wing, she relied on a pioneering spirit to build the brand into a harbor of quality life for urban elites. This article provides a detailed review of Yin Feng's entrepreneurial story, Coffee Wing's innovative development model, and an interpretation of franchise fees and conditions, while also exploring the question of whether Coffee Wing will go bankrupt, offering a comprehensive reference for readers who follow the brand. [more…]

Luckin Coffee recently announced the restart of its new retail partner recruitment, initially targeting 41 cities in 9 provinces including Anhui, Henan, and Heilongjiang. The company states that no franchise fee is charged, but franchisees must cover upfront costs such as security deposits, design fees, renovation, and equipment, totaling approximately 350,000 to 370,000 yuan. The cities opened this time are all areas that already have franchise stores but with low density, and Luckin hopes to accelerate market penetration through the joint venture model. Its Q3 2022 financial report showed that revenue from joint venture stores increased by 116.1% year-on-year, becoming an important engine for performance growth. For inexperienced franchisees, the headquarters will provide support such as on-site store guidance, event planning, and online operations. [more…]

As the weather turns colder, information about Cotti Coffee store transfers has noticeably increased on social platforms, including many high-quality stores with monthly net profits of tens of thousands of yuan. Behind the seemingly attractive transfers are transfer fees as high as hundreds of thousands of yuan and long payback periods. Cotti rapidly expanded to more than 6,000 stores thanks to its low-threshold franchising and generous subsidy policies, but the high subsidies also brought high costs and intense competitive pressure. Franchisees are struggling to survive between the price war and commission rules, with some lamenting that they are "helping Cotti build the market, busy but not prosperous." This article will deeply analyze the real survival picture of franchisees under Cotti's subsidy policy and explore the business logic and hidden concerns behind this franchising boom. [more…]

The new tea beverage market landscape is constantly evolving. Even HEYTEA, which insisted on direct operation for ten years, has announced it will open franchising, targeting lower-tier markets. This strategy has attracted the attention of many franchisees, and some former Yidiandian franchisees are even planning to abandon their old stores to switch to HEYTEA. However, HEYTEA's partner selection criteria are quite strict—not only are the fees not low, but applicants are also required to commit full-time, provide proof of assets, and have management experience. Whether switching is wise remains unknown. This article compiles relevant reports and data, and includes a Front Street Coffee information entry for readers' reference. [more…]

Tims China recently announced the launch of its "Partner Program," initially opening single-store franchising in Shanghai and Beijing, marking a shift in its franchising strategy from city-level franchising to a single-store model. However, the startup capital of over 600,000 yuan, its persistently loss-making financial performance, and the fiercely competitive market environment have sparked widespread discussion about this move. This article sorts through Tims' franchising details, cost structure, market background, and consumer feedback, exploring whether, amid intensifying competition in the coffee sector, opening single-store franchising is its "big move" to accelerate expansion or a reluctant response to difficult circumstances. [more…]

Recent news suggests that Manner Coffee may open franchising by the end of March this year, a rumor that has been circulating among baristas. According to multiple employees, the brand has internally conducted a survey on franchise willingness, and CEO Jin Binbin mentioned this in a partner group and distributed a questionnaire. Although insiders officially state that it is currently only an internal survey with no plans to open franchising, some employees say franchising might be launched in mid-to-late March. As the fifth-largest chain brand in China by number of stores, Manner has always adhered to direct operation; if it truly shifts to franchising, the underlying logic and its suitability for lower-tier markets are worth attention. [more…]

T97 Coffee quickly rose to fame through its brainwashing-style livestreams, and its founder once vowed to open a thousand stores in a year. Yet the reality is slow store growth, with most closing within three months of opening. Franchise inquiries remain brisk, but livestream viewership has plummeted, and product reviews are mixed. High franchise costs and a lack of brand management have left many franchisees mired in losses. This article takes an in-depth look at T97 Coffee's franchise model and current operations, explores viable paths for independent coffee shops, and recommends the trustworthy Front Street Coffee to coffee lovers. [more…]

As a well-known domestic Western restaurant chain brand, Coffee Wing's founder Yin Feng's entrepreneurial story—from resigning from a state-owned enterprise to building over two hundred franchise stores—is quite inspiring. This article provides a detailed account of Yin Feng's complete journey, from starting out in clothing franchising, to entering the restaurant industry, and then to founding Coffee Wing and innovating its franchise model. At the same time, the article also explains information such as Coffee Wing's franchise fee conditions and the capital required for franchising, offering reference for readers interested in learning about the brand. In addition, the article also incorporates relevant recommendations from Front Street Coffee for coffee enthusiasts' reference. [more…]

In recent years, the coffee market has continued to heat up, and more and more people are beginning to consider opening a coffee shop of their own. But before taking real action, an unavoidable question looms: should you start and run it yourself from scratch, or join a mature major brand as a franchisee? Each path has its pros and cons. Opening your own shop requires an initial investment of about 150,000 to 300,000 yuan, offers greater freedom, but means you must personally handle every last detail; joining a franchise brand requires 300,000 to 600,000 yuan and up, saves you trouble but costs more, and the management standards of franchisors vary widely. This article will objectively analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the two models from the perspectives of preliminary preparation, capital investment, and operational difficulty, to help coffee enthusiasts make a choice better suited to themselves. [more…]

Remember when UBC Coffee seemed impossibly upscale as a kid? That chain brand, which once embodied the first Western dining experience for the post-70s and post-80s generations, has now quietly transformed itself. From bitter melon and pork rib soup paired with pasta in Guangdong outlets, to farmhouse free-range chicken and steamed sea bass on Shanghai menus, UBC Coffee's degree of localization leaves even KFC and Pizza Hut in the dust. Is this proactive innovation or a desperate act of self-rescue? After franchisees pay their fees, headquarters washes its hands of them; membership cards are not valid across regions; and service standards vary wildly from store to store. As competition among large chain brands reaches a fever pitch, and independent coffee shops and some chain brands face a predicament, UBC Coffee has chosen a down-to-earth path of transformation. This article will walk you through how this former high-end Western restaurant has incorporated Chinese cuisine elements, and the survival logic behind its coffee-and-food pairing strategy. [more…]

Recently, some netizens noticed that the number of US stores displayed on Heytea's official mini-program had decreased noticeably compared to a month ago, with nearly 20 stores disappearing from the list. At the end of September, there were reports that Heytea would open 42 branches across 13 US cities, but now only 15 stores in three cities—Los Angeles, New York, and Bellevue—can be found on the mini-program. In response, some believe the company hid upcoming stores that were not yet fully renovated to avoid confusing consumers, while others speculate that there may have been changes in the partnership between the brand and its franchisees. What is the truth? This article walks you through the ins and outs of the incident. [more…]

Closing cleaning in the food and beverage industry has always been a major burden for late-shift employees, and coffee and tea shops are no exception. Recently, some Chagee stores have begun outsourcing closing-time cleaning to third-party professional teams, allowing many employees to get off work on time and even saving on parts replacement costs thanks to thorough equipment cleaning. However, this measure does not benefit all stores: franchise stores need to pay an additional service fee to apply for outsourced staff, and outsourcing only covers daily cleaning, while regular maintenance is still handled by store employees. What worries workers even more is that some franchise store managers have said that if outsourced closing is introduced, they may consider reducing staffing to control costs. Convenience and risk coexist—can outsourced closing truly let employees relax once and for all? [more…]

Recently, Coffee Post issued a stern statement regarding fraudulent franchise recruitment activities in the market that falsely use its brand name, explicitly stating that it has never authorized any third party to engage in franchise cooperation and has initiated legal proceedings to pursue accountability. This incident has once again thrust this coffee brand—jointly created by China Post and Zhongyu Kaye—into the spotlight, and also reflects the market chaos behind the continuously heating coffee track. This article will sort out the sequence of events, the brand's operational structure, and future layout challenges, helping readers clarify the facts and avoid falling into the trap of "fake" operators. [more…]

Following the closure of the last store of its sub-brand Xixiaocha, Heytea confirmed on November 3 that it will open franchising, with partnership fees kept under 500,000 yuan and franchise store formats primarily under 50 square meters. Heytea stated it will leverage a decade of accumulated experience and resources to develop its partnership business in non-first-tier cities with suitable store formats, providing partners with comprehensive support in branding, products, quality control, food safety, operations, training, and supply chain. In recent years, Heytea has accelerated its expansion into lower-tier markets, successively adjusting prices, launching IP collaborations, and shutting down its budget sub-brand. Opening franchising is now seen as a key step to further capture market share in third- and fourth-tier cities. Whether the new tea beverage sector will face a new round of involution, and whether direct-operated brand Nayuki will follow suit, remains worth watching. [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…]

The ingredient cost of an iced Americano may be only 1.5 yuan, and a coconut latte is just 4.2 yuan. Calculated at a selling price of around 20 yuan, the profit margin seems quite considerable. Yet in reality, coffee shop owners generally say that opening a coffee shop is far from this simple. Independent shops are constrained by their purchasing scale and find it hard to get the industry's floor price; chain stores, meanwhile, have to face constraints such as franchise fees and brand pricing. Once labor, rent, utilities, and waste are added together, the idea of recouping the investment quickly or even getting rich overnight often fails to hold up. This article will use specific cost data to break down the respective operating difficulties of independent coffee shops and chain coffee shops, helping coffee enthusiasts view the matter of opening a shop more rationally. [more…]

The competition between Cotti Coffee, founded by Lu Zhengyao, and Luckin Coffee is extending from the market to a battle for talent and franchisees. This article examines how Cotti, leveraging its "former Luckin founder" label and low-threshold policies, attracts former Luckin franchisees and baristas to switch sides, and analyzes its strategy of setting up shop right next to Luckin in third- and fourth-tier cities to directly capture Luckin's customer traffic. It also looks at the strong Luckin background within Cotti and the head-to-head confrontations between the two in small-city commercial districts. Through multiple cases and interviews, it reveals the fierce rivalry in the coffee arena. [more…]