News Summary
Luckin Coffee, the largest coffee chain in China, has opened its first two stores in the United States, located in Manhattan. The innovative chain offers a cashier-less experience through its mobile app and a range of unique beverages, with promotional pricing for their debut. While initial demand appears strong, concerns have been raised about the limited seating in these busy urban locations. This move marks a significant step in Luckin’s global expansion efforts as it positions itself against established competitors like Starbucks.
New York City – Luckin Coffee, the largest coffee chain in China, has officially opened its first two locations in the United States as of June 30, 2025. The new stores are located in bustling Manhattan, specifically at 755 Broadway in Greenwich Village and 800 6th Ave in Chelsea. This marks a significant move into the competitive U.S. coffee market, where it will directly compete with established players like Starbucks.
Luckin Coffee’s innovative business model relies heavily on its mobile app, which enables customers to enjoy a 100% cashier-less shopping experience. This aspect is central to the brand’s operational strategy, aiming to provide an efficient and seamless customer interaction. To commemorate its New York City debut, the coffee chain is offering customers their first drink for a promotional price of $1.99.
As part of its service offerings, Luckin Coffee provides an array of unique beverages, including jasmine cold brew, blood orange cold brew, and coconut cloud lattes, alongside a fruity Americano series. The chain positions itself as an affordable alternative, with some drinks priced approximately 30% lower than those found at Starbucks in its home market of China.
However, initial feedback from customers has highlighted some concerns regarding the limited seating at these locations. The midtown store, in particular, features only three tables, which has led to discussions on the appropriateness of its setup given the busy urban environment. Reports indicate that the shops were well-stocked and busy during the opening days, reflecting high demand for the new brand.
Luckin Coffee currently boasts over 24,000 locations worldwide, with the majority based in China and fewer than 100 in regions like Singapore and Malaysia. The U.S. market is considered “strategically important” for its ongoing global expansion efforts. Following its emergence from past financial difficulties, including being delisted from Nasdaq in 2020 due to an accounting fraud scandal and subsequent bankruptcy proceedings, the company has rebounded significantly. For the fiscal year 2024, Luckin Coffee reported worldwide revenues of $4.7 billion, representing a 38.4% increase from the previous year.
In contrast to Luckin’s growth, Starbucks has faced challenges with declining same-store sales, reporting an overall decrease of 2% in the U.S. and an 8% drop in China during the same fiscal year. To combat this decline, Starbucks has initiated a “Back to Starbucks” campaign, aimed at revitalizing customer engagement and improving overall brand image.
Analysts observe that Luckin Coffee’s success in the U.S. market will hinge on how well it differentiates its menu offerings from those of existing coffee chains and independent cafes. With more than 120 million registered users on its app, the company significantly outpaces Starbucks’ membership rewards program, which has about 34 million participants. This extensive user base suggests a strong brand presence, which Luckin Coffee plans to leverage as it establishes itself in the competitive U.S. market.
The opening of Luckin Coffee in New York City is not just the launch of new coffee outlets but also a test of its business model in a new environment, where innovation and consumer preferences will play pivotal roles in determining its future success.
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Luckin Coffee Launches First Locations in New York City
Luckin Coffee Opens First Locations in New York City
Additional Resources
- Business Insider
- Wikipedia: Luckin Coffee
- NBC News
- Google Search: Luckin Coffee US launch
- USA Today
- Google Scholar: Luckin Coffee expansion
- CBS News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Luckin Coffee
- Fox Business
- Google News: Luckin Coffee Starbucks competition
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