Each Friday, Excellent Each day Grind rounds up the highest espresso business information from the week. 

Editor’s be aware

“America runs on Dunkin’” – however Robert F. Kennedy Jr. disagrees. The US Well being Secretary not too long ago took purpose on the espresso and doughnut chain, alongside Starbucks, for its sugar-laden drinks.

Below RFK Jr.’s “Make America Wholesome Once more” initiative to overtake meals ingredient guidelines, he needs each chains to show their high-sugar drinks are secure for youngsters. The numbers are hanging: a minimum of six Dunkin’ drinks every include over 100g of sugar, with a big Triple Mocha Frozen Espresso coming in at a staggering 165g.

The well being issues are comprehensible, notably given Gen Z’s urge for food for flavoured, customised espresso drinks. However RFK Jr. reduce US$500m in mRNA vaccine funding final yr, which makes his give attention to Starbucks and Dunkin’ really feel reasonably misguided.

Nonetheless, publicly calling out main espresso chains for his or her sugar content material might push them in direction of lower-calorie choices. The practical espresso market has grown significantly as extra customers pay nearer consideration to well being and wellness. A shift on this course, whether or not voluntary or utilized by way of political stress, could also be the place the market finally ends up.

High tales of the week

• Tue, 10 Mar – Brazil & Vietnam espresso exports each fell in February. Vietnam’s February exports fell by over 16%, a decline native merchants attributed to excessive home costs and restricted inventory. Brazilian espresso exports totalled 2.6 million luggage final month, down 23.5%. Cecafé president Márcio Ferreira attributes the decline to falling arabica costs. (Hanoi, Vietnam & Brasília, Brazil)

• Wed, 11 Mar – Intelligentsia opens first drive-thru retailer. The Santa Monica retailer contains a 250-sq-ft setup with a La Marzocco KB90 espresso machine, batch brew programs, and a streamlined menu to minimise wait occasions. (Santa Monica, California, US)

• Wed, 11 Mar – Volcafe brings North American operations below direct management. Volcafe North America is now the only authorised consultant of the Volcafe, Volcafe Specialty, Volcafe Approach, Volcafe Verified, and Volcafe Excellence manufacturers within the area. The previous licensee now operates independently as Coastal Commodities and now not represents the Volcafe model or its portfolio. (Purple Financial institution, New Jersey, US)

Business information

• Mon, 9 Mar – Gregorys Espresso begins franchising to speed up development. The New York chain is shifting its enterprise mannequin after practically twenty years of solely working company-owned outlets. The model at the moment has over 40 websites and seeks to enter new markets rapidly. (New York Metropolis, New York, US)

• Mon, 9 Mar – Tim Hortons companions with the Canadian Paralympic Crew. The espresso chain is now the squad’s official quick-service restaurant by way of to the 2028 Video games. The model may even characteristic para-sport highlights in its upcoming nationwide advertising and marketing campaigns. (Toronto, Canada)

• Tue, 10 Mar – Fore Espresso rejects franchise mannequin whereas increasing in Southeast Asia. The Indonesian chain not too long ago added 60 retailers, bringing its complete to 290 throughout Indonesia and Singapore. Fore says it is going to prioritise company-owned development to guard service requirements, model management, and measured scaling throughout key markets. (Jakarta, Indonesia)

• Thu, 12 Mar – Bellwether Espresso expands roaster community and market. The corporate has doubled its variety of roasters as extra outlets transfer to roast espresso in-store. This enlargement gives a bigger vary of inexperienced espresso for these utilizing the model’s electrical, ventless tools. (Berkeley, California, US)

• Fri, 13 Mar – Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA appoints Matthew Smith as president. Smith brings over 25 years of expertise to the position, overseeing fashionable manufacturers like Chock full o’Nuts and Segafredo Zanetti. He replaces John Battle because the agency focuses on new strategic objectives and future development. (Portsmouth, Virginia, US)

New launch

• Mon, 9 Mar – Cotti Espresso to open first Belgian outlet. The Chinese language chain plans to enter the Brussels market with aggressive pricing as a part of its fast world enlargement. This transfer marks a major step for the corporate in Western Europe. (Brussels, Belgium)

• Tue, 10 Mar – Cup Scout launches to showcase upcoming micro roasters within the US. The brand new weekly subscription service particularly scouts “hidden gem” roasters with small followings and 15lb batch capacities. Cup Scout meets roasters in particular person to host cuppings and supply unique small batches to ship to subscribers weekly. (Atlanta, Georgia, US)

• Wed, 11 Mar – Astoria unveils ST-400 and ST-800 machines at Internoga. Designed for high-volume venues, the brand new “Good Conventional” platform options Clever Portafilter Recognition and built-in self-adjusting grinders. A ultimate launch is scheduled for WoC Brussels. (Susegana, Italy)

• Wed, 11 Mar – Thermoplan releases 2025 Sustainability Report centered on round economic system. Regardless of world financial tensions, the Swiss producer refurbished over 500 Black&White4 modules and 100 Black&White3 end-of-life machines for reintroduction to the market. The report additionally highlights the uniqueBean social mission and worldwide college collaborations. (Weggis, Switzerland)

• Thu, 12 Mar – MHW-3BOMBER launches new cupping bowl. Designed for skilled sensory analysis and roast growth, the bowl joins the model’s 2026 lineup of precision tools. It goals to offer roasters and baristas with a standardised device for correct flavour evaluation. (Guangzhou, China)

• Fri, 13 Mar – Nigredo Café opens its doorways in Colombia. The brand new specialty espresso store, positioned in Parque Coinca, is described as an area the place espresso and concepts meet. Owned by Jayson Galvis, former CoE worldwide decide and head decide on the World Espresso Awards, the venue goals to foster group by way of high-quality service and “espresso alchemy”. (Armenia, Colombia)

Commerce & manufacturing

• Mon, 9 Mar – Vietnam provide points threaten to lift world espresso prices. Extreme drought and lowered harvests on this planet’s prime robusta producer are making a scarcity out there. This turmoil is predicted to push up costs for immediate espresso and espresso blends worldwide as shares attain report lows. Merchants are monitoring climate patterns carefully. (Hanoi, Vietnam)

• Mon, 9 Mar – World’s largest city espresso farm crops new timber in Brazil. The Organic Institute in São Paulo is including tons of of saplings to its historic grove to spice up analysis and training. This distinctive inexperienced area helps scientists examine pests and the affect of local weather change whereas educating metropolis residents about espresso’s journey from seed to cup. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Tue, 10 Mar – Uganda achieves report espresso exports to start out the brand new season. The nation shipped over 600,000 luggage in a single month, marking its highest quantity in many years. Excessive world costs and higher farming practices helped drive the surge in gross sales. This enhance strengthens the nation’s place as a prime African producer. (Kampala, Uganda)

• Wed, 11 Mar – Specialty coffees acquire floor in Brazil regardless of structural and local weather challenges. Whereas home consumption of high-quality beans is rising, the sector faces hurdles together with excessive manufacturing cos,ts and more and more unpredictable climate patterns. Consultants emphasise the necessity for higher technical help to assist small producers preserve high quality and sustainability requirements. (São Paulo, Brazil)

Analysis

• Mon, 9 Mar – New analysis reveals youthful customers are altering US espresso tradition. Toast analysed same-store gross sales throughout US eating places on the platform between January 2024 and December 2025, discovering that new format drinks are overtaking American staples. Gross sales of normal sizzling drip espresso fell by 3%, whereas chilly brew dipped by 2.2%. “Handcrafted barista-made” drinks noticed the most important improve, with espresso up by 3.3%. (New York Metropolis, New York, US)

• Tue, 10 Mar – Research explores espresso pulp as beef fats substitute. Researchers discovered that changing 50% of animal fats with dried espresso cherry waste maintained burger texture and juiciness. The antioxidant-rich powder additionally improved shelf life by stopping spoilage throughout storage. (Athens, Georgia, US)

• Thu, 12 Mar – Research finds espresso consumption weakly linked to sleep high quality. Analysis with greater than 30,000 adults discovered that individuals who usually drink espresso don’t present significant variations in sleep high quality or daytime tiredness in contrast with non-drinkers, suggesting every day espresso habits could have an effect on sleep lower than generally believed. (Linköping, Sweden)

Occasions & competitions

• Mon, 9 Mar – India Worldwide Espresso Competition plans 2027 enlargement. Following a profitable occasion with 20,000 guests, organisers purpose to broaden their worldwide footprint subsequent yr. Current showcases highlighted native specialty espresso choices and a shift in direction of quality-driven markets. (Bengaluru, India)

• Tue, 10 Mar – NCA 2026 Conference takes place in Tampa, Florida. The annual conference gives business professionals with alternatives to realize new data and perception into developments within the US espresso sector. The occasion features a commerce present exhibition, a audio system’ programme, workshops, instructional classes, networking alternatives, and an awards programme. (Tampa, Florida, US)

• Wed, 11 Mar – Dalla Corte and Franke introduced as sponsors for 2026 US Barista Championship. Dalla Corte North America will function the Official Machine Sponsor, with opponents utilizing the Zero Plus Traditional three-group machine. Franke Espresso Programs will be part of because the Calibration Sponsor, that includes the Mytico Due. The championship is scheduled to happen from 18 to 21 June in Denver. (Denver, Colorado, US)

• Wed, 11 Mar – Hyderabad Espresso Competition celebrates India’s rising espresso tradition. The occasion, going down on 14 & 15 March, brings collectively cafés, roasters, and low fanatics by way of tastings, latte artwork demos, skilled talks, and reside performances, highlighting India’s rising specialty espresso scene and providing guests a platform to discover totally different origins and brewing strategies. (Hyderabad, India)

• Thu, 12 Mar – Toddy to host Chilly Brew Competitors at London Espresso Competition. Scheduled for 14 to 17 Could, the competition challenges professionals to showcase their technical expertise and creativity throughout three rounds, together with a full-immersion brewing spherical and a designer drink class. Toddy will host a Chilly Brew Championship at PRF El Salvador on 26 & 27 March 2026. (London, UK)

• Thu, 12 Mar – Wooden Fired Espresso to host interactive flat white workshop. Wooden Fired Espresso founder Mark Pupo will lead the session on Monday, 30 March, the place he’ll share the historical past of the drink, the origins of Wooden Fired Espresso, and the way the espresso is mixed to reinforce milk-based drinks. Guests may even have the prospect to make their very own flat white. (London, UK)

Listed below are just a few espresso information tales from earlier weeks that you simply may discover fascinating. Have a look:

• Thu, 5 Mar – Black Rock Espresso Bar targets 1,000 places in enlargement push. The chain plans to quickly improve its footprint from the present 130 websites throughout the US. This aggressive development technique focuses on high-traffic areas and regional hubs to compete with bigger business gamers. (Scottsdale, Arizona, US)

Photograph credit: Morgan Eckroth, COFFeEAST Competition

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