Heytea recently announced the opening of franchises, with business partnership fees capped at 500,000 RMB, focusing on small stores under 50 square meters, targeting non-tier-one city markets. This strategy not only helps reduce expansion costs but also paves the way for the brand to enter lower-tier markets. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the core conditions of Heytea’s franchise model, its market strategy, as well as the challenges and opportunities faced by new tea beverage brands in third- and fourth-tier cities. [more…]

Starbucks' fourth quarter and full-year 2022 financial results have been released, showing an 11% increase in same-store sales in the North American region, reflecting strong consumer momentum. Although the Chinese market still saw a decline, quarterly performance improved significantly. This article provides an in-depth analysis of how Starbucks stabilized its global market through customized cold beverages, membership loyalty programs, and enhanced store experiences, while also exploring the consumption trends and strategic shifts behind the key data. [more…]

From entering the market in 2020 with affordable prices ranging from 8 to 16 yuan, to the last store closing its doors in 2022, Heytea's sub-brand Heytea Little Tea completed its short-lived two-and-a-half-year journey. How did it expand across the Greater Bay Area during this period, and why did it decide to exit after the parent brand adjusted its strategy? This article dissects its operational trajectory and explores the shifting trends in the budget tea beverage market. [more…]

In recent years, more and more coffee brands have launched new products featuring ingredients such as tapioca pearls, agar jelly, and fruit gels, leading many to wonder: is coffee moving towards the direction of tea beverages? From HEYTEA’s brown sugar bubble coffee to Starbucks’ caramel coffee popping boba, what consumer psychology and market strategies lie behind this trend of “coffee drinks becoming more like tea beverages”? This article will guide you through this evolution and explore its deeper impact on the coffee industry. [more…]

Does the water flow rate in pour over coffee really affect flavor? This article takes Ethiopian Hua Kui beans as an example. With fixed coffee dose, grind size, and water temperature, among other conditions, only the second infusion flow rate was adjusted—pouring 120ml of hot water at 3ml/s and 6ml/s respectively. We recorded data such as extraction time, TDS (concentration), and extraction yield, while also comparing the sweetness, acidity, and layering performance. Through practical test data, we’ll help you understand how different water flow speeds actually impact coffee flavor. [more…]

Mastering the technique of segmented pour over extraction allows you to precisely control the balance of acidity, sweetness, and bitterness—especially helpful in bringing out that memorable sweetness. This article compares actual three-stage and four-stage pouring methods, guiding you through the flavor progression in the coffee at different stages, and analyzing how each extraction stage impacts the release of sweetness. It also offers practical tips for improving extraction efficiency. [more…]

As takeaway coffee becomes increasingly popular, the environmental burden caused by single-use cups is growing more serious. From Starbucks’ “Borrow A Cup” program to FamilyMart’s push to implement a reusable cup system in 400 stores across Taiwan, major brands are experimenting with innovative ways to reduce plastic use. This article takes an in-depth look at the operational models, actual effectiveness, and challenges of these plastic-reduction measures, helping readers understand how they can support a sustainable coffee culture through everyday consumption choices. [more…]

What kind of surprises emerge when traditional Cantonese cuisine collides with modern coffee? In Guangdong, a group of creative baristas have infused classic chicken dishes—such as ginger-scallion chicken, coconut chicken, and sesame oil chicken—into specialty coffee cocktails, resulting in a series of astonishing flavor combinations. This article will delve into the inspiration behind these creative cocktails, the logic of their ingredient pairings, and share their unique taste profiles, offering readers insight into the creative thinking behind these “cross-boundary” beverages while also inspiring at-home experimentation. [more…]

Did you know that eggs can also be used to make coffee? Beyond Vietnam’s classic egg yolk cream coffee, Scandinavia has an ancient brewing method that uses egg whites to filter grounds. This article delves into the history, unique principles, and detailed home recipes of these two egg coffee styles — covering everything from egg selection and ratio adjustments to improvement techniques, helping you master two distinctly different coffee experiences in one go. [more…]

Heytea has teamed up with the classic palace drama *Empresses in the Palace* for its first cross-industry collaboration, releasing two limited-edition products: “Zhen Fruit · Big Orange Painted Pear” and “Zhen Milk · Snow-Brewed Emerald,” each priced at 18 RMB. This collaboration not only continues Heytea’s high-value-for-money strategy but also integrates a popular film and TV IP to create an immersive cultural experience. This article details the market strategy behind the collaboration, highlights of the products, and how new tea beverage brands can enhance consumer loyalty by leveraging cultural elements. [more…]

The counter is the soul of a café, not only influencing customers’ first impressions but also serving as the core workspace for baristas. This article delves into traffic flow planning for the counter, choices between open and closed designs, practical suggestions for dimensions and orientation, and provides a detailed breakdown of workstation configuration, utilities equipment reservations, and cost control strategies — helping café owners create an efficient and aesthetically pleasing work area. It also includes considerations for equipment placement and flavor extraction to enhance practicality. [more…]

A month after its Nasdaq listing, Tims China has seen its stock price plummet by approximately 64% from its issue price, drawing significant market attention. As the Chinese version of the renowned Canadian coffee brand Tim Hortons, it has expanded rapidly in China but continues to face mounting losses. This article provides an in-depth analysis of Tims China’s financial performance, expansion strategy, and market challenges, helping readers understand the current status and outlook of this coffee brand in the Chinese market. [more…]

An increasing number of baristas are using tattoos to document their deep emotional bond with coffee, but such expressions often provoke misunderstanding and prejudice from others. This article delves into the stories and beliefs behind baristas' tattoos, analyzes societal stereotypes about body art, and introduces the meanings of common tattoo designs to help readers better understand both the professionalism and personal expression of baristas. [more…]

A post-90s woman in Beijing used leftover ingredients from the office afternoon tea to DIY coffee. After receiving praise from her colleagues, she successfully set up a small coffee corner. The related topic trended on Weibo. This article delves into the origins of office coffee corners, online reactions, analyzes the customer advantages and operational challenges of workplace coffee consumption, and shares practical knowledge about specialty coffee to help readers understand this emerging trend. [more…]

Luckin’s Fresh Cheese Latte has recently sparked heated discussion due to price variations. Some consumers have found that the same drink is priced anywhere from 9.9 yuan to 18 yuan, suspecting that the platform engages in “big data price discrimination.” In response, Luckin officials stated that prices are influenced by store operating costs and random promotions, rather than being targeted pricing. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the incident, user feedback, and industry background to help readers understand the common reasons behind price fluctuations in online consumption and how to respond. [more…]

Recently, there have been multiple scams impersonating the "Coffee Post Office" to solicit franchise investments. The official has issued a statement clarifying that no third party has been authorized. This article details the background of the incident, brand cooperation models, and how to distinguish official information, helping potential investors avoid fraud and understand genuine partnership channels and market conditions. [more…]

Lucki Coffee has launched its first store in Fuzhou IFC International Finance Center on a trial basis, offering all beverages at a promotional price of 9.9 RMB, continuing Lu Zhengyao’s familiar low-price expansion strategy. Facing competition from Luckin, Starbucks, and cross-industry brands, how can Lucki leverage its more than 40 product offerings and past successful experience to challenge the goal of opening 10,000 stores within three years? This article analyzes its market layout, product structure, and competitive advantages and disadvantages. [more…]

Luckin Coffee has filed an appeal in a trust dispute case involving over 560 million yuan in repurchase payments and interest. The core of the dispute is whether UCAR should bear the shortfall compensation liability. This case not only involves a huge sum of money but also legal details such as the priority right to repayment of pledged shares, offering practical reference value for understanding commercial trusts and equity guarantees. [more…]

Many young people dream of leaving their 996 jobs behind and opening a café to pursue an ideal lifestyle, but the reality often involves jumping from a high-pressure workplace into an even more complicated daily routine. This article analyzes the challenges and rewards of opening a café through real-life cases, covering everything from market positioning and product strategy to operational adjustments during the pandemic. It offers practical advice to help prospective industry entrants prepare thoroughly, avoid blindly chasing dreams, and truly achieve business growth. [more…]

Want to enjoy the fresh, bubbly taste of a sparkling americano at home just like in a café? This article will teach you how to prepare a sparkling americano using either espresso or pour over, and explain the science behind how coffee oils and carbon dioxide react to create foam. We also offer practical ratio suggestions, along with three key tips to avoid excessive foaming, helping you craft a perfectly fizzy drink that still highlights the true flavor of the coffee. [more…]