Another major US coffee chain drops non-dairy surcharge following campaign pressure

Environmental lobby group PETA is now fixing its attention on what it says is the ‘last big chain in the US sticking to archaic vegan upcharges’

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (CBTL) has become the latest US coffee chain to drop its non-dairy surcharge amid targeted pressure from animal rights campaign group, PETA.

The California-based coffee chain will end its additional $0.80 charge on oat and almond alternatives across its 200 US stores from 3 June 2026. The decision follows emails from more than 20,000 PETA supporters to CBTL’s senior management and pressure from PETA President Tracy Reiman.