The Chinese Coffee Giant Taking on Starbucks

中国咖啡巨头挑战星巴克

The Journal.

2025-07-31

18 分钟
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A delicious corporate rivalry is brewing! After an accounting fraud scandal nearly derailed its rise, Luckin Coffee has become the top-selling coffee chain in China. Now it’s expanding stateside, with two new locations in New York City. WSJ’s Hannah Miao  explains why Luckin’s tech-forward business model made it a winner in China, and whether Starbucks can fend off the competition by returning to its coffee house roots. Annie Minoff hosts. Further Listening: Fraud Rocks China's Hottest Coffee Startup The Inside Story of Starbucks's CEO Drama The Underdog Coffee Bean That's Making a Comeback Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  • I am here in front of Luckin Coffee in Manhattan on Broadway.

  • Yesterday, I went to check out one of the newest coffee spots in New York City.

  • It's called Luckin Coffee, and it's a giant coffee chain from China.

  • Out on the sidewalk, signs touted a special deal for first-time customers like me.

  • But there was a bit of a learning curve.

  • Looks like I need to download an app first, so let me do that.

  • The only way to order at Luckin is through its app.

  • And they are saying that one of their best sellers is this iced coconut latte,

  • which frankly sounds really good.

  • It is really hot out here today, so let's do that.

  • The app flagged a coupon, which made my drink only two bucks.

  • Alright, order received.

  • And I have a new coupon, actually.

  • Next drink is 40% off.

  • Within a minute or two, I got a ping that my order was ready.

  • I walked in, scanned my phone, and just like that, I was out the door.

  • Honestly, I'm not getting a ton of coffee flavor, but it's 95 degrees, it's cold, it's icy.

  • I don't hate it.

  • There are just two Luckin coffee shops in the U.S. right now, both in Manhattan.

  • But the chain's proven that it can grow fast.