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Starbucks to Close 80-90% of Pickup-Only Stores
Starbucks will convert or close 80-90% of its mobile order-only stores nationwide by the end of 2026, CEO Brian Niccol said in an earnings call this week, ending a six-year experiment targeting Gen Z customers. The company is prioritizing customer connection over convenience, according to a Fortune report.
Illycaffé Selects Scolari Engineering for New Italian Roastery
Italian coffee giant Illycaffé has chosen Scolari Engineering to build a new roasting facility in Trieste, Italy. The sustainable facility will feature AI-driven systems for improved quality and energy efficiency, according to Scolari.
ICO Reports 11.8% Coffee Price Decline in July
The International Coffee Organization’s July 2025 market report shows the ICO Composite Indicator Price fell 11.8% from June, reflecting global economic uncertainty amid steep U.S. import tariffs.
Puerto Rico’s Coffee Industry Faces Extinction, Official Warns
Puerto Rico’s Agriculture Secretary Josué Rivera Castro warned that local coffee production nears extinction due to severe labor shortages and Hurricane Maria’s lasting impact on coffee plantations, according to a San Juan Daily Star report.
Blue Bottle Baristas Vote to Unionize in Bay Area
Workers at four Bay Area Blue Bottle Coffee locations voted 22-5 to form the Blue Bottle Independent Union, demanding living wages, harassment protection and workplace democracy. The new shops follow other unionized Blue Bottle locations in the Boston area.
Rising Star Coffee Still Closed in Lakewood, Ohio, After Labor Dispute
A popular coffee shop in the Cleveland suburb of Lakewood, Ohio, Rising Star Coffee recently closed following barista walkouts regarding alleged unsafe working conditions. Protests were followed by staff firings and police interventions, according to a WKYC Cleveland report.
Mobile Coffee Trailer Reopens in Mobile Following Theft
Mobile, Alabama-based Brew Y’All Coffee has reopened with a new, larger truck after thieves destroyed their original trailer, causing over $40,000 in losses during a three-month closure, according to a WKRG report.
Dunkin’ Partners with Kahlúa on New Cream Liqueur
Continuing its insistence on getting into alcohol, coffee giant Dunkin’ teamed up with Kahlúa to launch Kahlúa Dunkin’ Caramel Swirl Cream Liqueur, featuring chocolate, dulce de leche, toffee and vanilla notes.
Coulée Coffee Names David Schultz Chief Revenue Officer
Idaho-based Coulée Coffee Co., maker of single-cup brewing machines, appointed David Schultz as Chief Revenue Officer. Schultz brings 25 years of consumer goods experience, according to the company.
Vienna Coffee Festival Returns in Austria Sept. 12-14
The 11th annual Vienna Coffee Festival returns to the iconic Marx Halle event venue Sept. 12-14, featuring sessions on coffee pricing and AI trends.
ICYMI
Here are some of DCN’s top stories from the past week…
Column: What is the Formula for Sustainability in Coffee Production?
What is the best production model that combines good agricultural practices, low environmental impact and high productivity?… read more
Danone Sues Chobani Over ‘Bright & Mellow’ Cold Brew
Two yogurt giants are now locked into a legal battle over cold brew branding, as Danone is alleging trademark infringement against La Colombe parent company Chobani… read more
Black Rock Coffee Bar Reportedly Files Confidentially for IPO
After several years of rapid retail expansion throughout the western United States, Black Rock Coffee Bar has reportedly filed confidentially for an initial public offering in New York… read more
Study Confirms Caffeine Keeps the Brain Buzzing During Sleep
In a first-of-its-kind study using artificial intelligence and brainwave analysis, researchers from the University of Montreal said caffeine can make the sleeping brain more active and less restful — particularly in young adults… read more
Report: Private Equity Firm Preparing to Buy Philz Coffee for $145 Million
San Francisco independent coffee institution Philz Coffee is in the process of selling its business to the private equity firm Freeman Spogli & Co. for $145 million, as first reported by Mission Local… read more
As U.S. Tariffs Take Hold, China Authorizes 183 Brazilian Coffee Exporters
China has fast-tracked authorization for 183 Brazilian coffee exporters as the 50% United States tariff on Brazilian goods begins to reshape global supply trade routes… read more
Coffee Farmers in Laos Say Agroforestry Requires More Than Mere Advice
Laos has experienced extreme weather in recent years and agroforestry, an age-old method of growing coffee under the shade of trees, is being promoted as a sustainable lifeline… read more
