Core Viewpoint - A recent incident involving a customer at a Starbucks in Malaysia has sparked controversy after the barista allegedly insulted the customer using a local language, leading to public outcry and an official response from Starbucks [1][2][4]. Company Response - Starbucks Malaysia, operated by Berjaya Food Berhad, issued a statement emphasizing that respect is non-negotiable and that the behavior of the barista does not reflect the company's values [4][8]. - The barista involved was dismissed on September 21, 2025, following an internal review, and Starbucks is reinforcing training programs to enhance cultural sensitivity and customer service standards [6][7]. Incident Details - The incident occurred on September 18, when a Guangdong consumer shared a video of her ordering at a Starbucks using a translation app, which led to complaints from local netizens about the barista's disrespectful behavior [2][5]. - The consumer expressed gratitude for the support received but noted that she did not understand what the barista was saying at the time [1][2]. Business Context - Starbucks operates in Malaysia through a licensing model, with Berjaya Food Berhad being the exclusive franchisee since its entry into the market in 1998 [9]. - As of now, there are 405 Starbucks locations in Malaysia, and the company reported a revenue of $27.615 billion for the first nine months of fiscal year 2025, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 1.9% [9].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights the accelerated divestment of foreign brands in China, marking a significant shift in the market dynamics that have evolved over the past 40 years [4][71]. - The initial entry of foreign brands into China during the reform and opening-up period was characterized by a cooperative approach, as they sought to establish a foothold in a market with limited consumer spending power [5][9]. - By the mid-1990s, as urban consumer groups began to grow, foreign brands started to adopt aggressive strategies, leading to the decline of many domestic brands [10][12]. Group 2 - The article discusses the "two-lever" strategy employed by foreign brands, which involved both establishing retail channels and leveraging brand power to dominate the market [29][40]. - The entry of foreign supermarkets in the 1990s transformed the retail landscape in China, introducing advanced business models and changing consumer shopping habits [30][32]. - The rise of e-commerce and mobile internet has further disrupted traditional retail, allowing smaller domestic brands to thrive by leveraging online platforms [47][51]. Group 3 - The case of Luckin Coffee's rise against Starbucks illustrates how domestic brands have begun to leverage capital and technology to compete effectively with established foreign brands [60][67]. - The article emphasizes that the decline of foreign brands in China is a result of their inability to adapt to the rapidly changing market dynamics and consumer preferences [72]. - The current trend of foreign brands considering divestment to local teams is seen as a potential positive step for their operations in China, allowing for better alignment with local market conditions [71].

Starbucks baristas are more than three years into their battle to work out a finalized union contract with the company. The baristas represented by the Workers United union have seen their formal talks with Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) progress slowly this ...

Core Insights - Fold is launching a Visa credit card powered by Stripe Issuing that offers bitcoin rewards on every purchase, leading to a significant increase in its share price during pre-market trading [1] - The card provides up to 3.5% back on spending, with 2% unlimited instantly and an additional 1.5% for customers who pay balances from a Fold checking account with qualifying activity [2] - Fold has processed $3.1 billion in transaction volume and distributed $83 million in bitcoin rewards to date, with over 500,000 active users [3] Company Developments - Fold's new credit card is part of its consumer suite, which includes banking, custody, exchange, and debit services [3] - The company has transitioned from a bitcoin gift card business to a crypto rewards model since 2019 [3] Industry Trends - Stripe has expanded its crypto initiatives, including partnerships that allow Shopify merchants to accept USDC, indicating a growing trend in fintech bridging traditional payments and blockchain [4] - Visa reported an estimated $1 billion in annualized stablecoin settlement volume, highlighting the increasing competition in payments-linked digital asset rewards [5] Market Reaction - Fold shares initially rose over 23% in pre-market trading but fell about 10% to $3.46 by mid-afternoon, reflecting challenges in maintaining momentum in the U.S. fintech sector [6]

Core Insights - Dutch Bros is emerging as a strong competitor in the coffee industry, challenging established players like Starbucks with its unique business model and growth strategy [1][2][13] Company Overview - Dutch Bros has positioned itself as a vibrant coffee destination, primarily focusing on drive-thru service, with 80% of its market catering to to-go orders [4][5] - The company is in a hyper-expansion phase, strategically opening new stores while considering current market trends, which gives it an advantage over larger, established chains [5][8] Market Dynamics - The cold beverage market is growing five times faster than the hot drink segment, with cold drinks accounting for 87% of Dutch Bros' sales, and 94% among Gen-Z customers [6] - Dutch Bros is continuously innovating its beverage offerings and experimenting with its food menu to drive sales [6] Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, Dutch Bros reported a 28% year-over-year revenue increase, with same-shop sales rising by 6.1% [10] - Company-operated stores saw a gross margin improvement of 60 basis points to 24.3%, and adjusted net income increased from $31.2 million to $45.5 million [10][11] Expansion Plans - As of Q2 2025, Dutch Bros operated 1,043 stores across 19 states, planning to open at least 160 new stores this year and aiming for a total of 2,029 stores by 2029 [12] - The long-term vision includes reaching 7,000 stores, which is significantly lower than Starbucks' nearly 42,000 stores worldwide [12][13] Leadership and Management - The company has revamped its leadership by bringing in a new CEO and experienced executives from Starbucks, which is expected to enhance its scalability and operational efficiency [9]

Group 1 - Venture capital and private equity are dominating the growth phases of companies, leaving retail investors with limited opportunities [6][4] - The number of publicly listed companies has decreased significantly, with less than 4,000 currently listed, down nearly 20% from a decade ago [3] - The IPO market is struggling as venture capital and private equity firms prefer to keep companies private for longer periods [4][6] Group 2 - The equity markets are not reflecting the full diversity of the economy, leading to less transparency and increased risk for ordinary investors [5] - Notable private companies like Stripe and Databricks are valued at $91 billion and $100 billion respectively, highlighting the opportunity deficit for retail investors [6] - Recent gains in the S&P 500 have been heavily influenced by a small number of companies, particularly the "Magnificent Seven" and the "three a(I)migos" (Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple), which together account for over 20% of the index's market value [8]

Luckin Coffee surpassed Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) as the largest coffee chain in China in 2023. Now, it's setting its sights on the U.S. Luckin opened its first U.S. store in New York City's East Village neighborhood earlier this spring. As of this month, the company has five locations across the city. Luckin stores operate without cashiers, requiring customers to place orders through the company's mobile app. Their prices are on par with Starbucks, CNBC reports, but the app often offers consumers discount ...

This story was originally published on HR Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily HR Dive newsletter. Workers in Illinois, California and Colorado filed legal claims against Starbucks on Sept. 17, alleging the company violated state law when it refused to reimburse them for clothing purchased following a dress code change. Starbucks issued a new dress code in April, announcing the changes would take effect May 12. Per the new policy, workers would be required to wear solid bla ...

Core Insights - Starbucks and its licensed operator Delosi have expanded their presence in Peru by opening two new outlets, one at Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport and another in Huánuco [1][2] - The Huánuco store is part of a broader network that now spans 13 cities in Peru, with over 120 stores and 1,700 employees [2][3] - The new locations emphasize sustainability through the use of locally sourced materials and environmentally friendly practices [3][4] Expansion Details - The new outlet at Jorge Chávez International Airport is the third Starbucks location within the airport, with a fourth outlet set to open soon [1] - The Huánuco store is located in Real Plaza and employs 18 staff members [2] - Starbucks operates in 26 markets across Latin America and the Caribbean, with over 1,800 outlets in the region [3][4] Sustainability Initiatives - The new stores incorporate energy-efficient features, water-saving installations, and waste-management practices to reduce environmental impact [3] - Interiors of the new locations feature murals that reflect local art and culture [3] Company Statements - Cristel Delgado, the country manager for Starbucks in Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia, expressed excitement about opening in Huánuco, highlighting the region's significance in Peru's coffee tradition [4][5] - The opening is seen as a connection between Starbucks' coffee roots and its customers [5]

Core Viewpoint - Starbucks is in the final negotiation stage for the sale of its China business, with private equity (PE) firms as the main candidates, indicating a strategic shift away from venture capital (VC) firms [6][10]. Group 1: Sale Process and Candidates - Starbucks has shortlisted several PE firms, including Hillhouse Capital, Carlyle Group, EQT, Sequoia China, and Primavera Capital, for the sale of its China business, with a decision expected by the end of October [6]. - Notably, major VC firms like Tencent and JD.com, which were rumored to be interested, did not make it to the final round, highlighting a preference for PE firms [6][7]. Group 2: Shareholding Structure - Starbucks plans to retain a 30% stake in its China operations, with the remaining 70% to be distributed among multiple buyers, ensuring no single buyer holds more than 30% [6][7]. - This structure allows Starbucks to maintain influence and flexibility in its operations while securing necessary funding and resources [6][7]. Group 3: Comparison with Competitors - The case of McDonald's, which successfully sold 80% of its China business in 2017, serves as a model for Starbucks, demonstrating how local partnerships can accelerate growth and enhance brand vitality [9][10]. - McDonald's saw significant expansion and improved profitability after introducing local capital, which could be a beneficial strategy for Starbucks as well [9][10]. Group 4: PE vs. VC Considerations - PE firms focus on financial returns and operational efficiency, making them a better fit for Starbucks, which aims to maintain its independent operational style [7][10]. - In contrast, VC firms often seek greater control for strategic alignment, which could conflict with Starbucks' goals [7][10]. Group 5: Market Dynamics - The high level of digitalization in the Chinese market, dominated by major internet platforms, poses risks for Starbucks if it were to partner with VC firms, potentially affecting its collaborations with other platforms [7][8]. - The performance of competitors like Tims China, which has struggled financially, further underscores the limited strategic benefits of VC involvement for Starbucks [8].