legal issues

DOJ Investigating New York Coffee Chain After Ban of Pro-Israel Congressman

The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation into New York-based independent coffee shop chain Poetica Coffee after the company took to social media to refuse future...

2026.06.23

Brad LanderBrooklynBusiness Operationscivil rightsCraft/OperationsDan GoldmanEast VillageFathi Abdulrahim HararaHarmeet DhillonInstagramJerusalem Coffee Houselegal issuesMarketingMicroNew YorkNortheastParviz MukhamadkulovPoetica CoffeepoliticsRetailRoastingU.S. Department of JusticeZohran Mamdaniコーヒー

Coffee Maker Recalled Following at Least 27 Injuries, Including Burns

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of approximately 17,600 single-serve coffee makers sold by a Chinese-owned brand called Kidisle, with at least 27 reported injuries, including first-...

2026.06.17

AmazonBing LuChangsha Mengqisi Electronic Commerce Co. Ltd.ChinaCorporateeBayhome brewersIndustryKidisleKidisle KC101Blegal issuesMarketingProductsrecallsU.S. Consumer Product Safety CommissionUnited StatesWalmartコーヒー

Florida Coffee Shop Owner Sues New York Real Estate Giant, Alleges Fraud

The owner of Drip Coffee, a single independent coffee shop in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has accused commercial real estate giant Kimco Realty of fraudulently inducing the business to sign a...

2026.05.21

Broward County Circuit CourtBusiness OperationsCypress Creek Associates Limited PartnershipCypress Creek Stationdrip coffeeFloridaFort LauderdaleJerichoKimco Realtylawsuitslegal issuesMarketingNew Yorkreal estateRetailSheer HospitalitySouth/SouthwestTargetTaylor Schearコーヒー

Caffè Nero Makes Bid to Acquire Compass Coffee in D.C.

UK-born coffee chain Caffè Nero has put in a bid to buy Compass Coffee’s assets following the Washington D.C.-area chain’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing earlier this month. In a...

2026.01.28

200 DegreesacquisitionsaromabankruptcyBusiness OperationsCaffe NeroCaffè Nero North AmericaChapter 11Coffee RepublicCoffee#1Compass CoffeeCorporateD.C.DMVGerry FordHarris + HooleHarrison SuarezIndustrylegal issuesMichael HaftNortheastRetailSouth/Southweststalking horse bidUnited StatesWashingtonコーヒー

Lawsuit Accuses Starbucks of Misleading Buyers on Sustainability and Chemical Content

Two consumers have filed a proposed class action alleging Starbucks misled shoppers in the states of New York and Washington with its “Committed to 100% Ethical Coffee Sourcing” claims....

2026.01.16

benzeneBusiness OperationsCAFE Practicesconsumer protectionCooxupeCraft/OperationsDavid Straussdecaffeinatedethical sourcingFarmer IssuesIndustryJennifer Williamslawsuitslegal issuesMacroMarketingmethylene chlorideNational Consumers LeagueNew YorkNorthwestOriginRetailRoastingseattleStarbucksSustainabilitytolueneUnited Statesvolatile organic compoundsWashingtonコーヒー

Federal Judge Supports Arbitration in Green Coffee Contract Dispute

A federal judge in Manhattan ordered Green Coffee Company Holdings LLC to arbitrate a contract dispute with green coffee trader Sucafina NA that dates back to 2023. A North...

2026.01.08

AgrosuraarbitrationChicagocontractsGreen Coffee AssociationGreen Coffee CompanyGreen Coffee Company HoldingsIndustryJennifer L. Rochonlegal issuesMarket NewsOriginSouth AmericaSucafina GroupSucafina NAコーヒー

Compass Coffee Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Washington, D.C.-based Compass Coffee filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Tuesday, seeking to restructure debts, pare back leases and stabilize operations while keeping cafes open. The Chapter 11...

2026.01.08

bankruptcyBusiness OperationsChapter 11Compass CoffeeCorporateCraft/OperationsHarrison SuarezIndustryIvy Citylegal issuesMacroMichael HaftMicroNortheastRetailRoastingSouth/SouthwestUnited StatesWashington D.C.コーヒー

2025 Year in Review: Coffee Business News

Underneath the dark cloud of tariffs that hung over the coffee industry for much of the year, the business of specialty coffee carried on at a breakneck pace. Among the...

2025.12.23

2025 Year in ReviewacquisitionsCorporateIndustrylegal issuesmergersコーヒー

Investor Sues Michigan Retirement Fund Over Failed Kona Hills Project

A Florida agricultural lender has sued the operator of a Michigan retirement fund over a failed investment in a large Kona coffee venture, alleging the fund and its partners...

2025.12.04

AgAmerica LendingCorporateFarmer IssuesHawaiʻiHawaiiHokukano RanchIndustryKealakekuaKerrie Vanden BoschKonaKona Hills Coffeelawsuitslegal issuesMichiganMunicipal Employees’ Retirement System of MichiganOriginPolk County Circuit CourtUnited Statesコーヒー

Starbucks to Pay Hourly Workers $35.5 Million in NYC Labor Settlement

Starbucks has agreed to pay nearly $39 million to settle New York City claims that it routinely violated local scheduling rules at hundreds of stores, marking the largest worker-protection settlement...

2025.12.03

Barista NewsBusiness OperationsChipotleCorporateEric AdamsFair Workweek LawIndustrylabor issueslegal issuesNational Labor Relations BoardNew YorkNew York CityNLRBNortheastPanda ExpressParis BaguetteRetailschedulingStarbucksStarbucks Workers UnitedUnited Stateswagesコーヒー