The first week of March brings significant operational shifts and product innovations from major tea and coffee chains, revealing how brands are adapting to market saturation and evolving consumer preferences. These developments, ranging from equipment upgrades to strategic acquisitions, highlight the industry’s continuous push for differentiation and scale.
Overseas Expansion
A recent tally indicates that at least 40 Chinese beverage brands have established a combined total of 9,805 stores overseas as of January 31, 2026. Notably, brands including TianLaLa(甜啦啦), CHAGEE(霸王茶姬), and Heytea(喜茶) each operate over 100 international locations, collectively accounting for 8.51% of the total overseas store count. This data underscores the accelerating pace of internationalization among domestic brands, who are seeking growth beyond the competitive domestic market.
Product Launch Trends
January 2026 saw distinct innovation paths emerge between the top 15 tea and coffee chains. Leading tea brands launched 18 new fruit tea products, representing 30.00% of their new offerings, and 17 new milk tea items, accounting for 28.33%. In contrast, the top 15 coffee brands focused heavily on milk coffee, with 21 new variants making up 61.76% of their launches, while fruit teas comprised only 17.65%. This divergence highlights tea brands’ continued focus on fruit-based refreshment versus coffee chains’ emphasis on creamy, indulgent coffee beverages.
Mixue(蜜雪冰城) Coffee Equipment Expansion
Mixue(蜜雪冰城) is piloting a new initiative to install fresh grind coffee machines in select stores starting this month, with new locations now required to reserve space for the equipment. An employee confirmed that a broader rollout is anticipated by the end of March, though the company is currently testing the program only in certain regions. This move signals the value-focused giant’s intent to more directly compete in the ready-to-drink coffee segment by enhancing its in-store brewing capabilities.
CHAGEE(霸王茶姬) Morning Menu and National Coffee Launches
CHAGEE(霸王茶姬) has launched its “Morning” series nationwide, featuring several existing popular teas like the Guiyunnan collection and Matcha series. Simultaneously, K Coffee introduced a new Thick Roasted Hojicha Latte and revived its matcha family of beverages, while Cotti Coffee(库迪咖啡) added two black sugar boba milk drinks and debuted Doraemon-themed packaging and merchandise. These simultaneous launches illustrate how brands are leveraging both new product development and seasonal returns to capture consumer attention and drive traffic.
NINGJI(柠季) 5th Anniversary and Supply Chain Update
NINGJI(柠季) is celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2026, having expanded its footprint into Southeast Asia, Australia, and North America over the past year. The brand achieved 20% GMV growth in 2025, with average monthly takeout sales increasing by 63%, and its proprietary lemon plantations now span over 1,000 mu, with 2026 yields projected to reach 1.3 million kilograms. This milestone highlights the brand’s successful internationalization strategy combined with deep investment in vertical supply chain integration to ensure quality and consistency.
Starbucks(星巴克) Acquisition Update
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation has unconditionally approved the acquisition of a stake in Starbucks Coffee (Cayman) Holdings by Fifth Lubo Dollar Fund (BVI) Limited, with the review concluded on February 6, 2026. The clearance of this concentrated transaction signifies a notable shift in the ownership structure of the coffee giant’s regional holding entity, potentially paving the way for strategic realignments or increased investment in the Chinese market.
