The Chinese Coffee Giant Taking on Starbucks

The Journal.

The Wall Street Journal

Daily News, Business News, News

4.2 • 5.3K Ratings

🗓️ 30 July 2025

⏱️ 17 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

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

Transcript

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0:00.0	I am here in front of Luckin' Coffee in Manhattan on Broadway.
0:12.6	Yesterday, I went to check out one of the newest coffee spots in New York City.
0:17.2	It's called Luckin Coffee, and it's a giant coffee chain from China.
0:22.1	Out on the sidewalk, Science touted a special deal for first-time customers like me.
0:27.2	But there was a bit of a learning curve.
0:29.5	Looks like I need to download an app first, so let me do that.
0:33.8	The only way to order at Luckin is through its app.
0:37.2	And they are saying that one of their best sellers is this iced coconut latte, which frankly
0:43.3	sounds really good. It is really hot out here today. So let's do that.
0:49.3	The app flagged a coupon, which made my drink only two bucks. All right, order received.
0:56.0	And I have a new coupon, actually.
0:58.0	Next drink is 40% off.
1:00.0	Within a minute or two, I got a ping that my order was ready.
1:04.0	I walked in,
1:06.0	scan my phone,
1:08.0	and just like that, I was out the door.
1:13.1	Honestly, I'm not getting a ton of coffee flavor.
1:16.8	But it's 95 degrees.
1:18.7	It's cold.
1:19.4	It's icy.
1:20.9	I don't hate it.
1:24.8	There are just two luckin coffee shops in the U.S. right now, both in Manhattan.
	...

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