Your weekly round-up of the five biggest stories from across the global coffee industry...
- Black Sheep Coffee hails ‘grow or die’ strategy
- Taco Bell’s $5bn beverage bet
- The latest World Coffee Portal data and analysis on the North American branded coffee shop market
- The category that could transform Nestlé’s coffee business
- Blue Bottle Coffee rolls back key plant-based policy
1. Black Sheep Coffee breaks losing streak as co-founder hails ‘grow or die’ strategy
After more than decade of mounting losses, Black Sheep Coffee has shown that rapid franchise growth, functional beverages and, of course, specialty robusta can deliver where it counts – in the balance sheet.
“We grow or we die – that was the unspoken motto,” Black Sheep co-founder Gabriel Shohet posted on LinkedIn.
New growth plans for the UK and beyond show Black Sheep is staying true to its word.
2. Taco Bell wants to be a $5bn beverage brand by 2030
Nearly two years after launching its indulgence-beverage concept Live Mas Café, Taco Bell is thirsty for more.
The California-based QSR chain is ramping up investment in café network and menu expansion to drive new footfall and transaction opportunities across afternoon dayparts.
However, it is not the only traditional fast-food chain rolling out indulgent signature beverage ranges to better compete with US coffee chains...
3. Slowest growth in three years for US branded coffee chain market as Mexico booms and Canada stalls
World Coffee Portal’s inaugural Project Café North America 2027 report highlights contrasting fortunes for the US, Canadian and Mexican branded coffee shop markets – with Mexico significantly outperforming its northern neighbours on outlet growth.
In addition to in-depth market analysis of the three major North American markets, the research also sizes 29 markets across Central America and the Caribbean – where there are increasing opportunities for scaled global operators.
4. The categories that could transform Nestlé’s global coffee business
By Nestlé’s own calculations, one-third of all coffee consumed out of home is now served cold.
New third-quarter earnings for the Nescafé parent company indicate that significant investments in iced coffee, ready-to-drink (RTD) and espresso concentrates are helping to place what was once a traditional instant coffee brand into the hands of younger consumers, many of whom are drinking it cold and out of home.
Can those categories deliver the boost that Nestlé sorely needs after a difficult 2025? There are clues in the Swiss giant’s half-year earnings.
5. Blue Bottle Coffee makes major change to oatmilk orders
Three-and-a-half years after introducing oatmilk as the default coffee pairing across its US cafés, California-based Blue Bottle has now moved to give customers more choice.
The change to both digital and in-store ordering is in response to changing consumer preferences and will reduce order errors, the specialty coffee group said, adding that its broader sustainability commitments would not be affected.
The move comes as many major coffee companies are reassessing how they will achieve their sustainability commitments amid rising costs.
