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4w ago

Luckin Coffee Launches First U.S. Cashierless Stores in New York City

It is introducing app-based ordering with discount incentives to gauge appeal in a mature American coffee market.

A Luckin Coffee shop in Huai 'an City, Jiangsu Province, China on April 24, 2025.
A Luckin Coffee location China. Monday marks the first day it's expanding to the US.
People stand outside of 'Luckin Coffee' store on opening day of one of two U.S. locations in Manhattan, New York, NY, June 30, 2025.
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Overview

  • Luckin Coffee opened its first two U.S. locations on June 30 at 755 Broadway in Greenwich Village and 800 6th Ave in Chelsea.
  • Both Manhattan stores adopt a cashless, app-based ordering system with small takeout-focused footprints, mirroring its efficient, low-price format in China.
  • The company promoted its New York debut through social media–driven discounts and giveaways, including free tote bags for early customers.
  • The U.S. launch pits Luckin against Starbucks, which operates more than 17,000 American outlets, as the Chinese chain tests whether its model can thrive in a mature market.
  • After admitting to earnings fraud in 2020 and facing a $180 million SEC fine, Luckin rebounded and grew its China network to over 22,000 stores, overtaking Starbucks before its U.S. debut.