Our recurring round-up of the latest specialty-coffee industry news.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
Featured image by Joshua Earle
In $1 Billion Deal, Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company Announces Stake in Luckin Coffee
Alongside controlling shareholder Centurium Capital, Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company has announced a significant minority investment in China’s Luckin Coffee, in a transaction valued at about $1 billion USD. “We continue to see compelling long-term opportunities in China’s consumer sector,” said Mohamed Albadr, Head of Asia, Private Equity at Mubadala.
Founded in Beijing in 2017, Luckin Coffee has grown to over 35,000 stores globally and opened their first United States location in New York City in 2025. Mubadala and Centurium Capital’s investment in Luckin coincides with a greater strategy to expand into the coffee business, as Centurium acquired Blue Bottle from Nestlé early this year.
Seattle Baristas Recover More Than $1.8 Million in Lawsuit Over Pay Violations
Seattle news outlet King 5 reports that, after a 17-day trial, a group of 70 baristas were victorious in a lawsuit over pay violations. As a result, the group recovered more than $1.8 million USD in damages from Washington’s Beehive Espresso.
In the lawsuit, former baristas alleged that the company owner failed to issue paychecks for several years and did not accurately track employee hours. “It was very important for us to come together and let him know that that’s not okay, and we see what you’re doing and we won’t stand for it,” said former employee Mykie Tolliver. “I hope that this inspires people to take the next step in making sure that everything is fair for everyone.” Click here for the full story.
Coffee Project New York Opens Upper East Side Location With Free Coffee at Grand Opening on 9/20
New York City roaster, retailer, and education hub Coffee Project New York has announced that their new outpost on Manhattan’s Upper East Side will be open to the public this week. Located at 1219 1st Avenue (at 66th Street), the store joins the brand’s growing portfolio of eight locations across Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. A grand opening celebration will be hosted at the store on September 20, 2026, with free coffee available for guests until 12pm.
Grounds for Health Celebrates 30 Years of Work + Hosts Annual Coffee Auction September 23-24, 2026
This year, nonprofit Grounds for Health is celebrating 30 years of work in coffee-growing regions and will be hosting their annual green coffee auction from September 23 to 24, 2026. Funds from the auction will support the organization’s efforts to provide critical healthcare to women in coffee farming communities.
To date, the organization has raised more than $1 million since its first auction in 2009. This year’s coffee lineup will feature the auction’s first coffee from Vietnam, donated by Brooklyn, N.Y. coffee importer Crop to Cup. To learn more and sign up to bid, click here.
Los Angeles’ Asteroid Vinyl Cafe is Seeking Donations to Continue Operations
Located in Inglewood, Los Angeles, Calif., record store and specialty-coffee shop Asteroid Vinyl Cafe is currently raising funds to get the permits they need to continue operating. Opened in 2024, the establishment was the first record store to open in Inglewood in over thirty years, as well as the first Latino-owned specialty-coffee shop in the city.
“We love this city, we love music, and we love coffee,” Asteroid owners Mars Galvez and Joe Fleming, who are both from Inglewood, wrote on their GoFundMe page. “Tired of having to leave our community to find cool places to shop, listen, gather, and experience things that felt like us, we created Asteroid.” Click here to learn more and make a donation.
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