Every Friday, Perfect Daily Grind rounds up the top coffee industry news from the week.
Following the recent announcement that it would revert back to its original three-division regional format, the SCA’s US Chapter has announced dates and locations for the 2025 US Coffee Championships. These competitions are pivotal for the industry, with winners often reaching the world finals – which will be held in the US, Indonesia, Italy, and Switzerland next year.
Looking away from competitions to Starbucks’ CEO switch saga, Brian Niccol vowed to “reestablish the brand as the community coffeehouse”. In a recent statement, he cited long and “hectic” wait times, “transactional” customer service, and “overwhelming” menus as pressing issues. Burdensome mobile ordering and endless customisation options have been harming the brand’s sales – especially in key markets like the US and China.
Given Niccol’s experience at fast food chains, we can expect Starbucks to simplify menus, drive efficiencies in operations, and reduce costs. This has become a familiar sight for coffee shops (large and small) around the world in recent years. But just how much this will resonate with modern consumers – who increasingly value having beverages made “their way” – remains to be seen.
Photo credits: Specialty Coffee Association
Want to keep up with current affairs in the coffee industry? Check out last week’s coffee news stories and make sure to read the latest Coffee Intelligence News & Opinion piece on why India is the next market for coffee investors.
Passionate about music and coffee, not necessarily in that order. He has been writing about both, and many other things, since 2005.
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