Introduction:After Luckin Coffee signed Yi Yangqianxi as its brand ambassador, fans visiting stores to take photos were discouraged from filming advertisement footage, sparking heated discussion online. Official customer service stated there is no policy against taking photos, yet some staff members enforce the opposite. This article delves into the full details of the incident, explores the inconsistency in store management standards, and provides tips for fans taking photos at coffee shops.
Luckin Coffee recently announced that Yi Yangqianxi would be the brand ambassador. New advertisements quickly began looping on in-store TVs, and cutout posters were displayed, attracting many fans to visit and take photos. However, some customers attempting to film the ambassador’s advertisements on the in-store screens were stopped by staff, citing a “storewide photography ban.” This left many fans puzzled and even questioning the contradiction of inviting an ambassador while discouraging fan promotion.
One netizen posted on a social media platform that while purchasing a drink at a Luckin store, she noticed an upcoming ad featuring Yi Yangqianxi on the TV. She asked the staff if she could take a photo, and the employee immediately replied “no.” Yet about twenty seconds later, the ambassador’s footage appeared on screen. Despite this, the staff member continued to stop her from filming, stating “no photos are allowed anywhere in the store.” The customer was confused—how could there be a total photography ban if it wasn’t clearly announced or consistently enforced?
The netizen expressed confusion in her post: “If you’ve hired an ambassador and aired ads, why not let fans take photos happily?” The post quickly resonated with many, with numerous users sharing their own experiences. Some said they encountered the same situation at the same location and on the same day, while others noted that their local Luckin store never stopped photos and even encouraged customers to take pictures with the cutouts.
Notably, a netizen claiming to be a Luckin employee revealed that in-store photography is generally prohibited unless prior approval is obtained from the company’s PR department. Otherwise, those caught could face performance deductions. However, many frontline employees refuted this claim, saying most stores do not have a blanket photography ban and only advise against filming operational or storage areas. Taking photos of TV ads or ambassador posters is usually not interfered with.
In fact, this isn’t the first time Luckin has faced controversy over photography. As early as September last year, a customer was stopped by staff while taking professional photos of a drink with a promotional paper bag in the background. The staff mistakenly thought it was media or a store review and intervened. According to internal Luckin policies at the time, if photography or interviews were involved, staff were required to notify the regional manager and record the individual’s name, contact information, organization, and title for subsequent PR handling.
In response to the current in-store photography ban controversy, many netizens tagged Luckin Coffee’s official account, hoping for a clear explanation. An affected customer who complained to Luckin customer service was told that “there is no official written rule banning photography in stores.” The company promised to send someone to the involved store to investigate and stated they would follow up with the complainant within 24 hours, though no further public response has been made so far.
This incident highlights potential inconsistencies in management standards across chain brands. For fans, visiting a store to take photos is a natural way to support idols and brands, but when individual staff judgment or insufficient training affects the experience, it may weaken the interaction and trust between the brand and consumers. For those who enjoy taking photos in coffee shops, it is advised to first check for any visible no-photo signs in the store, avoid sensitive areas as much as possible, and if stopped by staff, politely ask for the specific reason to reduce misunderstandings.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
