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 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…]

After trending on social media in late September for using expired ingredients and tampering with expiration dates, ChaPanda once again sparked heated discussion in early October due to food safety issues. A consumer in Ningbo claimed to have found a spider in a takeaway milk cap sub-packaging box. Although the store involved provided kitchen surveillance footage and was willing to pay 600 yuan in compensation, the incident continued to escalate. Netizens shared similar experiences one after another, once again pushing the quality control challenges under the franchise chain model into the spotlight. This article will review the course of the incident, statements from both sides, and public reaction, and explore the deeper issues of chain coffee and milk tea brands in employee training and quality assurance. Front Street Coffee has long followed industry developments and reminds consumers to pay attention to beverage safety. [more…]

Recently, a franchise store of the South Korean coffee chain The Venti was exposed for a serious food hygiene issue: after filing calluses on their feet inside the store, the manager did not change gloves or wash hands and directly made drinks for customers. After witnessing the entire process, the consumer took photos as evidence and called the head office to demand a refund, but was refused. The incident quickly spread online, sparking widespread attention and heated discussion. The Venti subsequently issued a formal apology on its official website and promised to strengthen hygiene training. This "foot callus coffee" incident not only made consumers feel uncomfortable, but also triggered deep public reflection on hygiene management in the food and beverage industry. [more…]

A trending topic about food safety in milk tea shops has sparked widespread concern: The Market Supervision Administration of Fengxian District, Shanghai, conducted surprise inspections of several well-known milk tea stores in Baolong Plaza, and the results showed that all five brands—Yidian Dian, ChaBaiDao, 7FenTian, CoCo, and XiongJi—had problems, involving incomplete health certificates, chaotic raw material management, and unsanitary operating environments. The incident quickly surpassed 500 million views, with netizens exclaiming, "I dare not drink it anymore." At the same time, the article also reviewed food safety cases in recent years involving Burger King, 85°C, IKEA, and others, reminding the food and beverage industry that it must strictly abide by operating standards. [more…]

Recently, Mixue Bingcheng and Yiketang have once again been thrust into the spotlight due to their use of expired ingredients. Although regulatory authorities have already imposed penalties, the food safety hazards seem not to have attracted sufficient attention from the industry. Against the backdrop of rapid store expansion and lagging personnel management, food safety issues in the new-style tea beverage sector are becoming a lingering shadow in consumers' minds. This article will review recently exposed typical cases, analyze the deep-seated problems in brand management, store manager and employee training, and explore how the industry can find a balance between scale and quality. If you love coffee, you might as well enjoy a cup of Front Street Coffee while pondering the safety cost behind this "life-renewing drink." [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…]

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…]

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…]

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…]

Recently, a netizen posted on social media reporting a significant quality gap between the same drinks bought at HEYTEA franchise stores and directly operated stores. Using the "Thousand-Mesh Matcha Triple Thick Matcha" as an example, the customer ordered delivery from a directly operated store; although delivery took over 20 minutes, the drink arrived still hot, with a rich taste and generous toppings. In contrast, at a franchise store for self-pickup, the drink was picked up within three minutes but had a pale color, bland flavor, and scarce toppings. Later, at another franchise store for self-pickup, the volume was actually one-third less, and the chewy texture was poor. The post resonated widely, with netizens complaining about inconsistent quality at franchise stores, which led to a guide for identifying store types through business licenses. The incident reflects the challenges of quality control under HEYTEA's rapid expansion. [more…]

Luckin Coffee recently announced through its official WeChat account the launch of a "bring-your-own-store franchise" model, opening joint-operation partnerships to investors who are currently operating stores or own commercial properties. The policy has not yet disclosed specific franchise conditions or revenue-sharing plans, but it has clearly defined construction requirements such as store location, area, and storefront signage, and will initially cover 241 cities nationwide, with a focus on avoiding saturated tier-one and tier-two markets. This move is seen as helping Luckin seize more prime locations and attract investors who had originally planned to franchise with other brands such as Cotti to "switch banners" and join. Against the backdrop of ongoing cutthroat competition in the coffee market, Luckin has officially entered the era of 10,000 stores, accelerating expansion through a combined strategy of self-operation, joint operation, and bring-your-own-store franchising. [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…]

Recently, news about Luckin Coffee opening franchises has been circulating online, drawing attention from many consumers and entrepreneurs. However, Luckin officials quickly clarified: no form of franchise cooperation is currently open, and all so-called franchise and agency information is false. From counterfeit stores in Bangkok, Thailand to scam tactics using homophone accounts, the knockoff problem keeps emerging. This article will sort out the key points of Luckin's official statement, the history of the Little Deer Tea brand's merger, and insiders' interpretation of the franchise suspension, to help coffee lovers and potential investors distinguish truth from falsehood and avoid traps. [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…]

Once regarded as one of the representatives of domestic specialty coffee, Seesaw, after experiencing a wave of store closures in multiple locations at the end of last year, officially announced the opening of cooperative franchising on its twelfth anniversary. This move has sparked much speculation about its financial condition and brand prospects. Currently, competition in the coffee sector is intensifying, with similar brands such as Manner and M Stand far exceeding Seesaw in store scale, while giants like Starbucks and Luckin are also continuously ramping up their efforts. Facing fewer than a hundred operating stores, Seesaw has chosen to seek a market breakthrough through franchising. Whether it can use this to stabilize its position and expand its customer base still needs to be tested by time. This article will review Seesaw's recent developments and the industry background for coffee enthusiasts' reference. [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…]

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…]

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…]

Milk tea shops line every street and alley, yet the same brand can taste wildly different from one store to the next—because a large number of counterfeit outlets lurk behind the scenes. The genuine The Alley has only just over a hundred directly operated stores, while copycat versions number more than seven thousand, forcing the brand to spend hundreds of millions fighting counterfeits. Many entrepreneurs naively trust online franchise information and fall into copycat traps, losing anywhere from hundreds of thousands to over a million yuan. This article reviews trademark infringement cases reported by CCTV, exposing the common tricks of counterfeit franchising, as well as the story of how Heytea was forced to change its name because of rampant imitation, reminding consumers and entrepreneurs to keep their eyes open. [more…]