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…]

The adorable bear delivery rack jointly created by Starbucks and Meituan has recently been delivered to consumers one after another, but unexpectedly sparked a series of amusing incidents. Some people went to stores to pick up their packages only to find the staff completely confused; some only discovered after assembling it that the promotion had long ended; and some stores even mistook the delivery rack for promotional material and placed it outside the door to welcome customers. This merchandise, which requires meeting Meituan's spend-and-get conditions to reserve for free, won over countless fans with its sensor-activated glowing bear and sturdy fiberboard material, but also left netizens who missed out lamenting, "Big data, you're too late." Those who successfully got their hands on one are now starting to worry: will such a cute rack get swiped if I put it outside my door? The various experiences surrounding this co-branded merchandise reflect the subtle gap between brand campaign promotion and consumer reach. [more…]

On August 29, Luckin Coffee's co-branded campaign with the cartoon IP Little Liu Duck officially launched, but it sparked consumer dissatisfaction because participation was limited to online channels only. Many fans rushed to stores early in the morning only to find nothing, and later discovered that the campaign was actually run by Luckin Instant Coffee, which belongs to a different system from the offline stores. The co-branded merchandise was available only as gifts, not for sale, including limited-edition items such as thermos cups, stickers, and desk mats, and had already attracted widespread attention during the teaser phase. However, the mismatch between online and offline information left many consumers disappointed and also triggered discussions about brand co-branding strategies and the essence of coffee. [more…]

In the Melanesian archipelago of the South Pacific, New Caledonia is like a vibrant oasis, hiding one of the world's rarest, most expensive, and most unusual coffees. KOUANDJI Estate is located at the foot of the mountains about 25 kilometers southeast of the capital, Nouméa, and is dedicated to reviving the region's nearly vanished coffee-growing industry. The estate cultivates "Leroy," also known as Bourbon Pointu, named for the pointed ends of its fruit. Its caffeine content is only half that of ordinary Arabica, and its yield is extremely low—even the French presidential palace must purchase it in limited quantities. Front Street Coffee has always paid attention to such niche, rare bean varieties. This article will take you deeper into the story behind its historical origins, variety characteristics, and unique flavor. [more…]

Heytea has brought its popular matcha drink "Triple Thick Matcha" from China to the U.S. market, rolling out a limited-time buy-one-get-one-free promotion, but a small line of English text on the promotional poster—"only lives 3 hours"—sparked widespread discussion. The phrase, which literally means "only lives 3 hours," left many consumers puzzled: does it refer to the drink's optimal flavor window, the duration of the promotion, or the shelf life of the matcha mochi topping? Netizens each had their own interpretation, with some even questioning whether the brand's copywriting review process was inadequate. Hours after the controversy escalated, Heytea's official customer service contacted the original poster to explain, and the poster in question has since been corrected. This article provides a complete rundown of how the incident unfolded and the various viewpoints involved. [more…]

Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is hailed as a treasure of the coffee world, but the market is flooded with various "Blue Mountain flavor" products, making it hard to tell the real from the fake. This article will guide you through the origins, certification standards, and flavor characteristics of authentic Blue Mountain coffee, and introduce detailed information about Front Street Jamaica Blue Mountain No. 1 coffee. At the same time, we will also explore the question of pour-over coffee bean varieties—is Arabica the only one? Through this article, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the unique charm of Blue Mountain coffee and get reliable recommendations from the Front Street brand. [more…]

Recently, a video about a 17-yuan milk tea from "Grandpa Doesn't Make Tea" that was unopened yet only half full sparked heated discussion online. A consumer in Guangdong reported that the First Love Rose Green Grape Fruit Tea they purchased had an opaque upper half on the cup, making it hard to judge the capacity from the outside; only after flipping it over did they discover the drink was only half full. Around issues such as whether no-ice drinks should by default not fill the cup and whether store serving standards are uniform, netizens clearly held divergent views. At the same time, multiple consumers posted weighing results and flashlight inspection results, pointing out that insufficient portions of this brand's drinks are not an isolated case. The brand and stores have responded, saying they are verifying and handling the matter. [more…]

Since September, rumors that Luckin Coffee would fully roll out smart milk tea machines and tea extraction machines have kept the industry closely watching its moves into the milk tea market. Recently, some stores in Guangzhou took the lead in trial-installing the tea extraction machines, only to draw collective complaints from frontline staff. Employees reported that the device is not only bulky and space-consuming, but can also extract only one type of tea liquid at a time, and its cleaning and sanitizing steps are extremely cumbersome. Making a pot of tea base takes more than half an hour from start to finish, making it even less efficient than manual brewing. At the same time, some stores have also seen quality control problems such as rusting metal parts. So how exactly does this smart device perform? Let's take a look at the real feedback from employees. [more…]

Recently, a consumer in Jiangsu discovered that the milk tea they purchased from Chahuanong contained only half a cup. After giving feedback to the merchant, not only was the issue not properly resolved, but they also reportedly experienced SMS bombing and harassment from internet trolls. After the incident garnered widespread attention, Chahuanong officially issued two statements on July 28, first apologizing and then denying hiring trolls, stating that the police have intervened in the investigation. However, netizens in the comments section generally disapproved of the brand's handling, believing that the store was shortchanging customers in the first place and is suspected of leaking customer information, and a mere "full cooperation" is hard to satisfy the public. As coffee enthusiasts, we also focus on issues related to production standards in the beverage industry and consumer rights protection, and Front Street will continue to monitor the progress of the situation. [more…]

Holding a cup of hot coffee can warm your hands, quench your thirst, and serve as a great prop for photos, making it a standard item for many people when traveling. However, recently some consumers have reported that after ordering at Manner, they had to wait over an hour just to get a hot latte. During the Spring Festival, some Manner stores in large supermarkets had only one barista on duty, who single-handedly handled everything from taking orders, adding beans, making drinks, explaining refunds, to packaging and handing out orders, staying busy non-stop. Customers arrived at the store based on the estimated time in the mini-program, only to find their drinks still queued up, with scenes of delivery riders crowding and customers urging frequently occurring. Although regulars sympathize with the staff, they also express dissatisfaction with the brand's staffing arrangements during holidays, believing that feedback on long serving times should be taken seriously to improve the consumer experience. [more…]

Recently, a coffee shop in Gulangyu, Xiamen, sparked heated online discussion after refusing to let non-paying customers use its restroom for free. In the video, a father gets into an argument with an employee because his child urgently needed to use the toilet, questioning whether the shop "only cares about money," to which the employee bluntly replies, "Yes, only money." Behind the incident lies the complex relationship between the boundaries of commercial spaces and public moral expectations. Some argue that one should make a purchase first or find a public restroom, some criticize the merchant for being insufficiently accommodating, and others firmly support the merchant's refusal to be morally coerced. As coffee lovers, we might take this incident as a starting point to reflect on the balance between cafés as commercial spaces and their role in the community. [more…]

A friend once asked while buying beans at the Front Street store: can coffee grounds that have already been brewed once be used again for a second cup? Some bloggers online have also demonstrated that a second brew can still yield decent flavor. From a practical standpoint, of course coffee grounds can be brewed again—even a third or fourth time. But "can be brewed" and "tastes good" are two entirely different matters. This article starts from actual tests on Front Street's Sidra, and combines the proportion of soluble matter, extraction yield control, and the differences in dissolution rates of acidity, sweetness, and bitterness to explain why coffee is usually brewed only once, and the fundamental reasons why a second brew tastes thin and lacks layering, before offering a conclusion that better suits the general palate. [more…]

Tea Yan Yue Se recently opened a pop-up stall at Wulin Square in Hangzhou, marking the brand's first appearance in the city. However, milk tea enthusiasts who rushed to the scene full of anticipation discovered that the stall only sold snacks, tea bags, and other merchandise, with no freshly made drinks whatsoever. What further dissatisfied fans was that the stall did not accept membership balance payments, requiring on-site payment only. On the first day of opening, some snacks had already sold out and would not be restocked. Many netizens expressed their disappointment outright, believing that a pop-up stall without milk tea had lost the brand's distinctive character, and that the promotional effect had backfired. [more…]

Jamaican law explicitly stipulates that only coffee beans originating from the Blue Mountain region may be labeled as Blue Mountain Coffee. High-grade Blue Mountain Coffee is classified by bean size into three grades—No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3. Although they differ in size, their cup profile must be confirmed by government-approved professional tasters to ensure consistent quality. These green beans must be shipped in wooden barrels for export, with the barrel bearing information such as the estate name, importer's initials, lot number, and port of arrival. Importers also receive a green certificate of origin. The Jamaican government also imposes strict export restrictions on defective beans and coffee with flavor issues. The virtues of Front Street Coffee's Blue Mountain Coffee can only be fully revealed at a specific roast level. This article will provide a detailed analysis of Blue Mountain Coffee's grading system, export packaging standards, and certificate of origin system to help enthusiasts distinguish authentic from counterfeit. [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…]

Blue Mountain coffee originates from the Blue Mountains in eastern Jamaica. Thanks to its volcanic soil, a climate characterized by year-round fog and frequent rain, and strict quality control, it has become one of the world's universally recognized top-tier coffees. Its acidity, sweetness, and bitterness are balanced to perfection, with virtually no bitter note, leaving only a moderate fruity acidity and a rich, mellow aroma. Blue Mountain coffee is graded into three tiers—Blue Mountain, High Mountain, and Jamaica Coffee—according to altitude and growing region. The harvest season runs from June through November, with all cherries hand-picked throughout. Japan has long held priority purchasing rights over most Blue Mountain beans, leaving the rest of the world with only about 10% of total production, which is why genuine Blue Mountain coffee is always in short supply. This article will systematically cover the production process, origins, history, geographical conditions, classification standards, distinctive flavor, sales landscape, health benefits, quality assurance system, and special preparation methods for both hot and cold drinks of Blue Mountain coffee, along with recommendations and tasting suggestions from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

As one of the world's top coffees, Blue Mountain coffee's grade classification and price differences have always been a focus of attention for coffee enthusiasts. Jamaican law explicitly stipulates that only coffee beans produced in the Blue Mountain region can bear the name Blue Mountain. High-grade Blue Mountain coffee is divided into three grades: No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3. Although the taste is consistent, the bean sizes differ, and the prices also show clear differences. In addition, green beans must be exported in wooden barrels, with the estate, importer abbreviations, and batch information printed on the barrel, along with a green certificate of origin. Defective and flawed beans, however, can only be shipped in gunny sacks or exported after heavy roasting. Understanding these details helps identify authentic Blue Mountain coffee and avoid buying the lowest-grade products. Front Street Coffee reminds you to pay close attention to grade and packaging information when making a purchase. [more…]

Tims China has released its Q1 2024 financial report, with revenue up 3.1% year-on-year to 346.8 million yuan and system sales up 7.1% to 363.5 million yuan. However, this seemingly steady performance did not win investor approval, and the stock price fell on the day the report was released. More worrying is that the company added only 4 net new coffee stores in the first quarter, a sharp drop from 149 net new stores in the previous quarter and the lowest expansion record since going public. At the same time, the price war in the coffee industry continues to escalate, forcing Tims into the 9.9 yuan competition. Combined with the limited effect of its bakery product price increase strategy, the company's net loss reached 142.8 million yuan, and its debt ratio rose to 127.8%. Although it has secured US$20 million in financing from Cartesian Capital to ease cash flow pressure, its financial difficulties have not been fundamentally resolved. In terms of the franchise business, although applications reached 3,000, only 19 stores actually opened, a stark contrast. Tims once proposed a goal of 10,000 stores in 5 to 10 years, but given the current situation, that vision is becoming increasingly distant. [more…]

Many people drink coffee every day, yet they can only ever taste bitterness and find it hard to distinguish the flavor differences between different beans. In fact, tasting ability is not innate—through scientific and systematic sensory training, everyone can gradually discern the unique tastes of coffees with different roast levels, from different regions, and processed by different methods. This article will share a practical set of tongue training methods, from buying coffee and brewing comparisons to recording taste impressions, to help you gradually improve your sensitivity of taste and smell. It will also remind you of precautions during training, such as keeping your nasal passages clear and the importance of quitting smoking. As long as you keep practicing, you will find that the world of coffee is far richer and more wonderful than you imagined. [more…]

In recent years, the promotional methods in the coffee industry have quietly changed, shifting from pure price wars to marketing battles over limited-edition freebies with purchases. Chain brands like Starbucks, Manner, and Luckin have rolled out distinctive gift promotions, enticing consumers to buy coffee in order to collect coveted merchandise. This "gift-only, never-for-sale" model not only helps brands stand out in fierce competition, but also reflects the younger consumers' psychology of valuing the container more than its contents. This article reviews the latest buy-and-get promotions from major brands and explores the market logic and consumer mindset behind this phenomenon. [more…]