Overview
- The two‑story store debuts single‑origin beans, pour‑over and cold brew options, higher‑end machines, and trained baristas, with prices set above Luckin’s typical budget range.
- Social media posts describe heavy demand since the Jan. 20 soft launch, with reported waits of about one to three hours for drinks.
- Luckin’s scale now exceeds Starbucks in China by store count, as Starbucks prepares to sell a 60% stake in its China business to Boyu Capital with completion expected in the spring.
- The company is extending its international push, opening a 10th New York City location on Feb. 6 and expanding in Singapore and Malaysia, while its CEO has hinted at a future U.S. relisting.
- Industry reports suggest Centurium Capital, a backer of Luckin, is exploring a potential bid for Coca‑Cola’s Costa Coffee, though discussions are described as early and unconfirmed.