Starbucks recently implemented stricter dress code policies in North America, but faced collective lawsuits from employees in three states after refusing to reimburse them for new clothing they had to purchase themselves and for the cost of removing facial decorations. Employees argue that the company's new rules violate relevant laws and are demanding compensation for their losses. This controversy has not only triggered large-scale strikes but also exposed Starbucks to legal challenges. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the sequence of events, employee demands, and Starbucks' response, giving you insight into the labor-management struggle behind this dress code controversy. [more…]

Manner Coffee attracts numerous baristas to submit their resumes with its specialty coffee positioning and attractive salaries, but a large number of current employees can be seen on social media strongly discouraging newcomers from joining. From high pay to professional training, Manner's recruitment conditions appear superior, yet issues such as the actual expenses during training, the assessment mechanism, and store management have gradually come to light. This article sorts out the real situation of Manner's barista positions, reveals the hidden concerns behind the high salary, and helps coffee enthusiasts and practitioners gain a more comprehensive understanding of this chain brand's employment situation. [more…]

Luckin Coffee recently posted a job opening on its official WeChat account for a global coffee-sourcing assistant. The successful candidate will travel with the sourcing team to coffee-producing regions around the world, with all travel expenses reimbursed and a generous salary. Once the news spread, many netizens exclaimed that this was a cushy job with paid travel and even social insurance, while others regretted choosing the wrong major because the position requires proficiency in English and Portuguese. At the same time, the little-known profession of coffee sourcer has come into the public eye. On the surface, it involves traveling the world, but in reality, it means going deep into remote villages and unstable regions, cupping hundreds of coffees day after day, writing reports, negotiating prices, and arranging transportation. This article takes you through the real daily life of a coffee sourcer, to see whether this job is truly as easy and pleasant as it seems. [more…]

A female customer nicknamed "Allergy Sister" by netizens has been requesting refunds at multiple independent coffee shops in Wuhan, claiming that lactose intolerance triggered an allergic reaction. At first, shop owners agreed out of apology and concern, until some in the trade discovered that the medical certificates were questionable and the accounts were strikingly similar, realizing that this might be a patterned refund claim. So far, more than twenty shops have come forward to confirm refunds, and the number of victims may still be growing. The person involved has deleted her account and cannot be reached, and some shop owners are gathering evidence and considering legal action to defend their rights. [more…]

Many coffee enthusiasts' first impression of hot Americano is "bitter," and some even joke that the only difference between it and traditional Chinese medicine is that you can't use health insurance for it. In fact, iced Americano and hot Americano are essentially the same black coffee made by diluting espresso, but hot Americano tends to be less popular—office workers rely on it to stay awake while mocking themselves as "bitterly fated people." What exactly causes this difference in bitterness? This article, drawing on Front Street Coffee's tasting experience, breaks down the three major factors of temperature, coffee beans, and ratio, and offers specific advice on how to make a hot Americano that is aromatic without being bitter, as well as which coffee beans to choose if you fear bitterness and prefer sweetness. [more…]