197 stories · last 30 days by relevance
LTO nostalgia campaigns (Unicorn Frappuccino) can drive traffic and comps recovery; operators should note loyalty-member exclusivity windows as a lever for baseline activation.
Starbucks reported its strongest North America sales weekend, driven by a limited-time Unicorn Frappuccino promotion that leveraged social media and pop culture trends.
Shipley Donuts launched a systemwide online catering program built on Olo's platform, extending its ordering capabilities beyond individual transactions.
Dunkin' is returning to Puerto Rico in 2027 through a new franchise partnership.
Dunkin' has returned to a major market after a 12-year absence.
Black Rock Coffee Bar has reached 200 locations, with the chain attributing its expansion to a focus on guest experience.
Krispy Kreme ran a Pokémon-themed promotion that Placer.ai analyzed for insights into the chain's promotional strategy.
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Record global coffee production forecasts are not translating to lower prices, as Super El Niño weather patterns and elevated production costs are offsetting supply increases.
Starbucks is promoting the return of its Pumpkin Spice Latte with new ads featuring Martha Stewart and actor Belmont Cameli that playfully address the drink's cultural perception.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is running a one-day BOGO promotion on pumpkin drinks for loyalty members on August 25, following its fall menu launch in early August—a move that signals seasonal beverage
Scooter's Coffee operates 555 drive-thru locations amid a surge in competition from Dutch Bros, 7 Brew, and others in the accelerating drive-thru coffee segment.
Activist investor SOC Investment Group has filed a shareholder proposal seeking to separate Starbucks' chair and CEO roles, currently held by Brian Niccol.
Mokas, a coffee chain, has signed a deal to open 9 units in the Kansas City area, continuing its expansion in the region.
Starbucks has closed another store in downtown Seattle, adding to a pattern of closures and layoffs affecting the chain.
Starbucks paid down $1.8 billion in debt, reducing leverage and financing costs while maintaining strong liquidity and borrowing capacity—signaling reinforced financial flexibility for capital allocat
Dutch Bros launched three seasonal drinks for fall—two returning favorites and one new flavor—across its 1,225+ U.S. locations, signaling continued reliance on limited-time offerings to drive traffic
Starbucks Korea reported its first quarterly loss in 27 years following a marketing controversy that sparked a boycott and drew government scrutiny, signaling reputational crises can rapidly erode pro
Single-brand seasonal LTO with no broader operator insight.
A U.S. court ruled that Starbucks' dress code did not violate labor rights for workers in New York City, suggesting the company's uniform policy survived legal scrutiny on worker protections.
Lola Beans signed a six-unit franchise agreement to expand into Delaware with founder Donny Bradley's brother Jay and his wife Beth, extending the drive-thru beverage brand's footprint through a famil
Starbucks saw elevated traffic on a Tuesday in 2026 when the Pumpkin Spice Latte returned.
Dunkin' plans to return to Puerto Rico in 2027, relying on existing brand recognition in the market after a prior exit.
Tims China announced second-quarter 2026 financial results, marking continued operations of Tim Hortons' franchised presence in the Chinese market.
HTeaO is opening a location in Fort Smith, Arkansas, expanding its presence in the state.
Aroma Joe's achieved a top-5 ranking in Newsweek's coffee chain awards for the first half of 2026, signaling growing consumer recognition of the handcrafted beverage franchise.
Chagee Holdings released second-quarter 2026 financial results, continuing to report performance as a publicly traded premium tea drinks brand.
Apple flavor is gaining prominence on fall menus across major chains including Caribou Coffee, Paris Baguette, and others, suggesting a diversification of seasonal flavor offerings beyond traditional
Starbucks Korea reported an operating loss in Q2 following a marketing backlash, signaling how brand missteps can rapidly erode profitability in competitive markets.
Gong cha has signed a franchise development agreement to open 50 locations in Texas, signaling confidence in the state's bubble tea market.
Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard has returned Pumpkin and Apple Butter flavors for the fall season as limited-time offerings.
Insomnia Cookies is offering free six-packs of cookies to incoming college freshmen.
Moe's Coffee, a small drive-thru concept in Washington State, is betting on a balanced beverage-and-food model in a compact, modular unit as a path to expansion amid growing consolidation by larger ch
Tim Hortons' Harry Potter LTO and color-changing cup merchandise is a licensed IP co-marketing play designed to drive traffic and merchandise attach.
Starbucks is rolling out Floura Fiber's Blueberry Matcha Daily Fiber Bar across U.S. stores, signaling an effort to expand its snack portfolio with wellness-positioned products.
Coffee drive-thrus face a design challenge: adopting technology to streamline operations while preserving the personal service that defines hospitality in the category.
Krispy Kreme is reintroducing its Pumpkin Spice Original Glazed Doughnut for a four-day window (August 27–30), signaling continued reliance on seasonal flavor nostalgia to drive traffic during off-pea
Seasonal LTO lineup and loyalty early-access — routine fall menu promotion with no chain-wide operational or strategy signal.
Dunkin' launched tennis-themed drinks and merchandise starting August 30, signaling the brand's continued investment in seasonal sports partnerships to drive traffic during high-profile cultural momen
Gong cha is opening its first airport location at Phoenix Sky Harbor by end of 2026, signaling the bubble tea chain's push into travel retail channels where high-traffic venues offer new customer acqu
Shipley Donuts marked its 90th anniversary with limited-time offerings and franchise expansion.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe is running a limited-time $6 acai bowl promotion for Tropic Rewards members from Aug. 24-30 at participating locations, signaling use of loyalty programs and seasonal timing to
Pressed Juicery appointed a new CMO and chief sales officer, signaling leadership restructuring as the brand pursues expanded national growth.
Beyond Juicy founder Mijo Alanis built the chain from one location in 2005 to 53 stores across multiple states, a trajectory that signals how localized food concepts can scale through strategic expans
Ziggi's and Philadelphia Cream Cheese have introduced a savory latte beverage collaboration.
7 Brew has placed a bid on a bankrupt fast-food chain in competition with a rival coffee shop, and is seeking an auction process.
Cold Stone Creamery is planning to open up to 12 new locations in Michigan and is actively recruiting franchise partners to support the expansion.
Sip Fresh is expanding its location footprint while emphasizing wellness-focused beverages, signaling that customization and quality ingredients remain competitive priorities in the specialty beverage
Tropical Smoothie Cafe's CFO frames customer experience improvements as drivers of repeat visits, spending, and word-of-mouth—positioning CX as a business lever for the chain.
Ella Coffeehouse opened its first franchise location in Boynton Beach, signaling validation of its franchise model as it expands in South Florida.
Krispy Kreme launched a Pokémon-themed doughnut collection in partnership with The Pokémon Company International to mark Pokémon's 30-year anniversary, featuring five character-inspired designs.