Coffee News Recap, 13 Feb: Coca-Cola retains full ownership of Costa Coffee, PRF El Salvador announces speaker line-up & other stories

Every Friday, Perfect Daily Grind rounds up the top coffee industry news from the week. 

Editor’s note

After months of speculation about Costa Coffee’s future, Coca-Cola has confirmed that it will retain full ownership. Speaking to Bloomberg, CFO John Murphy said Coca-Cola has “no immediate plans to do anything with Costa other than to get it performing even better”.

Murphy asserted that performance in the UK and Ireland, where Costa operates roughly 2,700 locations, is strong, while the business is struggling in China, where homegrown brands are scaling rapidly.

It’s likely that Coca-Cola will shift its focus towards Costa’s retail and RTD channels, potentially closing underperforming stores in key markets in the months ahead.

In other news, Pennsylvania’s Passenger Coffee recently released a Kenyan Peaberry harvested in 2016. Passenger has been freezing green coffee for over a decade, and the Kiriani Estate Peaberry lot is one of the longest-preserved coffees in its archive.

The “time capsule” coffee offers a glimpse into what’s possible with preserving freshness and flavour.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 9 Feb – China’s Luckin Coffee opens its first high-end flagship store in Shenzhen. The Origin Flagship marks the brand’s 30,000th location and signals a departure from its predominantly value-focused model. The new outlet is seen as a direct challenger to Starbucks Reserve stores, offering premium drinks and single origin coffees. (Shenzhen, China)

• Tue, 10 Feb – Two new US Coffee Champions crowned at Seattle event. Marco Monzon of Mandarin Coffee is the 2026 US Latte Art Champion, and Texture Coffee’s Hugo Cano placed first at the 2026 US Coffee in Good Spirits Championship. Both will represent the US at their respective World Championships in San Diego and Brussels. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Tue, 10 Feb – Consumption of coffee, tea & other caffeinated drinks linked to lower dementia risk. A questionnaire-based study including 132,000 US adults over four decades found that people with the highest daily intake of caffeinated coffee had an 18% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those with the lowest intake. Researchers caution that the link isn’t necessarily causal. (Boston, Massachusetts, US)

• Wed, 11 Feb – Coca-Cola retains full ownership of Costa Coffee and reviews China operations. The beverage giant purchased the UK’s largest coffee chain for £3.9bn in 2018, but recent operating losses have more than doubled to £13.5m. Coca-Cola had hoped to sell Costa for £2bn; however, bids allegedly fell short of sale expectations. CFO John Murphy says the performance of Costa stores and Costa Express machines remains strong in the UK and Ireland. (Atlanta, Georgia, US)

• Thu, 12 Feb – PRF El Salvador announces speakers & attracts the largest roaster attendance in its history. The event, taking place on 26 & 27 March, will feature PRF Voices, several competitions, Producer-Roaster Matchmaking, and Seed Connect. It will also coincide with the Global Coffee Awards World Championship and will announce the winner of the World’s Greatest Coffee Packaging competition. (San Salvador, El Salvador)

• Thu, 12 Feb – Passenger Coffee releases Kenyan Peaberry harvested a decade ago. The roaster is selling the 2016 Kiriani Estate Peaberry lot, frozen over ten years ago, for US$65 per 125g. The coffee has notes of blackcurrant jam, rosehip, and citrus fruits. (Lancaster, Pennsylvania, US)

• Fri, 13 Feb – CoffeeFest Madrid to begin on 14 February. The event, which has helped transform Spain’s specialty coffee culture, is expected to attract more than 60,000 visitors and 240 exhibitors. It will feature a Roasters Village, several competitions, the Tea Fest, the Cacao Fest, a green coffee auction, and the Top 100 Best Coffee Shops awards ceremony. (Madrid, Spain)

• Fri, 13 Feb – Pioneers of California’s coffee-growing movement, Jay and Kristen Ruskey, pass away. Jay and Kristen founded Good Land Organics and Frinj Coffee and played a pivotal role in establishing California’s coffee production. They leave behind three teenage children and a large community of friends and industry peers. A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to support the Ruskey children.

Industry news

• Mon, 9 Feb – Ajinomoto shares rise as coffee seasonings help drive profit. Tokyo-listed food and seasoning maker saw its stock jump after reporting better-than-expected business profit for the quarter, boosted in part by strong performance in its coffee-related seasonings and broader food products segment. (Tokyo, Japan)

• Mon, 9 Feb – Beans & Brews Coffee House reports 15% growth driven by new markets and drinks. The franchise opened 11 new locations across key Western US markets and broadened its drink menu to attract more customers and strengthen its footprint. (Salt Lake City, Utah, US)

• Tue, 10 Feb – Costa Coffee’s largest European franchisee quits Belgium. The withdrawal removes 27 branded stores from the Belgian market, with the operator citing strategic refocus and challenging trading conditions while Costa evaluates franchise and expansion plans across Europe. (London, UK)

• Tue, 10 Feb – Five To Go targets 1,000 stores by 2028. The Romanian chain projects €72m in turnover in 2026, plans 15 stores in Bulgaria, 10 in Moldova, and two in Ireland, will open about 100 shops a year domestically, and will launch bakery and matcha bar concepts. (Dublin, Ireland)

• Wed, 11 Feb – Former Starbucks global director joins Rainforest Alliance. Harper McConnell was named chief impact and growth officer, bringing leadership from Starbucks and Mars in coffee and cocoa sustainability. (New York City, New York, US)

• Wed, 11 Feb – Blenz Coffee appoints Matthew Smith as president to drive strategic growth. The former vice president of operations takes the lead to oversee franchise development and brand innovation across the Canadian market. Smith succeeds Geoffrey Hair, who transitions to a new role as CEO for the coffee chain. (Vancouver, Canada)

• Wed, 11 Feb – NOWWA Coffee partners with Reveillon Group for Southeast Asian expansion. The Shanghai chain, which recently surpassed 10,000 stores in China, signed a master franchise agreement to enter the Malaysian market. This strategic move follows a successful Series C funding round and the brand’s international debut in Australia and Indonesia. (Shanghai, China)

• Thu, 12 Feb – WWE wrestlers Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch invest in Dayglow coffee. Plans include a white-label coffee line, celebrity-branded products, and national retail and online rollouts. (Los Angeles, California, US)

• Fri, 13 Feb – The Nero Group and 200 Degrees report profit and growth in 2025. Group sales rose 13% to US$800m for the fiscal year. Following its acquisition in late 2024, Nottingham-based 200 Degrees achieved record revenue, strengthening the group’s position in the specialty coffee market. (London, UK)

• Fri, 13 Feb – Happy uses NetSuite to expand its coffee retail presence. Co-founded by Robert Downey Jr., the brand uses NetSuite’s AI ERP to accelerate reporting, improve visibility, and expand retail and ready-to-drink reach across 70,000+ outlets, while linking purchases to NAMI mental health resources. (New York City, New York, US)

• Fri, 13 Feb – Oatly achieves first full-year of profitability but loses UK milk labelling court case. Revenue increased US$19.5m for the fourth quarter ended 31 December 2025. The financial milestone coincided with the oat milk brand losing its longstanding legal battle, with the UK Supreme Court ruling that it could no longer use or trademark the phrase “Post-Milk Generation” because it could confuse consumers. (Malmo, Sweden)

Businesses for sale

• Mon, 9 Feb – Different Hospitality acquires Boomtown Coffee Roasters, preserving the local brand. The Houston roastery and café will continue its core offerings under new ownership, with operational and marketing support to grow its neighbourhood presence. (Houston, Texas, US)

• Tue, 10 Feb – Odeko strengthens Mid-Atlantic foothold with acquisition and partnership. The coffee shop tech and support platform has acquired District Distribution in Washington, DC, expanding services in DC, Maryland, and Virginia, and has formed a partnership with Union Kitchen to broaden access for emerging food and beverage brands through its ordering and fulfilment network. (Washington, DC, US)

New launch

• Mon, 9 Feb – Vietnamese tea and coffee brand Phuc Long opens its first flagship store in Hanoi. The new Phuc Long Dragon location at 82 Hang Dieu in the Old Quarter features a Tea Master corner for guided tastings and reflects the company’s broader brand refresh and long-term development strategy in northern Vietnam. (Hanoi, Vietnam)

• Tue, 10 Feb – Square AI launches in the UK with early adoption from café operator Brickwood Coffee & Bread. The tool gives cafés & small businesses instant data insights, from product sales to revenue trends, helping operators optimise staffing, inventory, and promotions through fast, conversational analytics. (London, UK)

• Wed, 11 Feb – Dutch Bros expands CPG range to more retailers and online. Packaged beans, ready-to-drink cans, and branded merchandise will roll out to additional national grocery chains. The drive-thru chain will also expand retail presence and consumer access to products. (Grants Pass, Oregon, US)

• Wed, 11 Feb – Denim Coffee unveils new chai concentrate. Available at eight Pennsylvania locations and online, the 16oz 2:1 format highlights molasses, orange peel, and black pepper flavour notes; priced from US$8.99 and sold in single, two-pack, and four-pack options. (Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, US)

• Thu, 12 Feb – World Coffee Research and CIAT launch CafeClima for smart replanting. The new digital tool helps farmers and investors manage climate risks by identifying optimal locations and varieties for coffee renovation. It addresses the threat posed by ageing trees by providing data-driven insights to enhance agricultural resilience. (Hanoi, Vietnam)

• Fri, 13 Feb – MANUMENT launches new Swiss facility and expands to North America. From June 2026, the company’s NEXT high-end lever espresso machines, assembled from 590 parts, will ship from the Thun facility. The brand, known for its two-second flow heating technology, is also officially entering the US and Canadian markets. (Thun, Switzerland)

• Fri, 13 Feb – Paris Baguette accelerates US expansion with Atlanta opening. The chain opened a new US site as part of a rapid rollout targeting 1,000 cafés by 2030, using franchising, menu localisation and supply chain investment to scale across suburban and urban markets. (Atlanta, Georgia, US)

Milestone

• Tue, 10 Feb – RWACOF marks 30 year anniversary with new partnership. The company, part of Sucafina, says the new partnership improves how it works with Rwanda’s washing station owners, reducing risk and and stabilising the coffee value chain. (Kigali, Rwanda)

• Wed, 11 Feb – Vex Coffee discovery club celebrates its first anniversary following a successful Kickstarter launch. The subscription service has grown to support over 28 UK independent roasters sourcing coffee from 18 different countries. Founders Ross Jamieson and John Bradshaw are now aiming to expand their subscriber base this year by 300% to turn the project into a full-time business. (Manchester, UK)

• Thu, 12 Feb – Pact Coffee to roast 45 tonnes of women-grown coffee in March. For International Women’s Day, 100% of the roaster’s core range will come from female producers and gender-equity groups. The move aims to tackle industry imbalances while highlighting high-quality coffee. (London, UK)

• Fri, 13 Feb – Joe & The Juice secures Asia market deal and India master franchise. The Danish chain will partner with Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality to open a flagship in India in H2 2026 and pursue wider rollouts across Asia under a new regional agreement. (Copenhagen, Denmark)

Trade & production

• Mon, 9 Feb – Colombia’s coffee exports surpassed fuel exports in 2025 as agribusiness grows. Official trade data show that robust growth in green coffee and related products helped agricultural export value outpace traditional fuel and extractive sales, reflecting a broader shift in Colombia’s export mix toward farming and food sectors. (Bogotá, Colombia)

• Tue, 10 Feb – India-US trade deal reshapes outlook for farmers. The agreement lowers tariffs on coffee, tea, spices, and rice, strengthening export prospects for producers, while cheaper imports of DDGS and soybean oil may put pressure on local processors and farmers. Safeguards and quotas are included to protect sensitive sectors. (New Delhi, India)

• Wed, 11 Feb – ICO reports a 2.6% decline in global coffee prices during January. The monthly average for the Composite Indicator Price fell to 296.89 US cents/lb due to improved rainfall in Brazil’s key growing regions. Despite the price drop, global green bean exports rose 9.2% in December, driven by significant increases in shipments of robusta and other milds. (London, UK)

• Thu, 12 Feb – Lilliput Technologies develops Lillishield biopolymer to protect coffee from heat stress. The sprayable liquid blocks up to 90% of UV and IR radiation, potentially reducing plant water demand by 60%. The innovation allows producers to maintain current coffee varieties while increasing resilience against rising temperatures. (London, UK)

• Thu, 12 Feb – Laos promotes sustainable coffee and tea to boost rural income. The government is increasing support for smallholders through investments and international partnerships to turn crops into premium exports. The initiative aims to strengthen the economy via global demand. (Vientiane, Laos)

• Thu, 12 Feb – Brazilian coffee exports drop 3.1% in January compared to last year. Data from Cecafé shows shipments totalled 3.8 million bags, hindered by logistical bottlenecks at ports. Despite the volume decline, revenue grew due to higher global prices for arabica and robusta. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Fri, 13 Feb – Kirinyaga coffee farmers call for crackdown on unlicensed agro-chemicals. Producers warn that counterfeit inputs pose health hazards and trigger market rejections, urging authorities to intensify enforcement to protect crop quality and export credibility. (Kirinyaga, Kenya)

• Fri, 13 Feb – Brazilian canephora production expands into non-traditional growing areas. Espírito Santo accounts for most of Brazil’s canephora production, but Conab data show that output from states such as Mato Grosso and Minas Gerais has increased significantly since 2020. (Sao Paulo, Brazil)

Research

• Thu, 12 Feb – UK Biobank study links moderate coffee and tea intake to lower lung cancer risk. Research suggests that antioxidant properties help protect cells from damage. The protective effect was most pronounced among non-smokers, underscoring respiratory health benefits. (London, UK)

• Thu, 12 Feb – New report says sustainability needs to be a key part of green coffee sourcing to drive real change. VOCAL Coffee Alliance consulted with producers across eight coffee origins and found that roasters, retailers, and traders need to integrate living income practices and risk-sharing into their green coffee sourcing operations to achieve scalable impact, rather than relying on separate activities and projects. (Netherlands)

• Fri, 13 Feb – Brazilian study maps coffee and food pairings. Research by Anna Luiza Santana Neves identifies three clusters: comforting, regional, and indulgent. She notes that pão de queijo and chocolate are top matches, while cold brew and milk-based pairings are highlighted as growth opportunities for cafés. (Campinas, Brazil)

Events & competitions

• Mon, 9 Feb – Counter Culture Coffee launches brand-new, inclusive Brewlette competition. Each Brewlette event will include two rounds: Spin & Brew, in which competitors are assigned a random TDS target, and Head-to-Head, in which the final eight competitors brew a single cup of coffee across heats. Entry is free. Brewlette will follow the CoffeeFest circuit and be hosted at Counter Culture Training Centers in four cities:
  • CoffeeFest New York – 7 March 2026
  • CoffeeFest Chicago – 14 June 2026
  • CoffeeFest Los Angeles – 23 August 2026
  • CoffeeFest Dallas-Fort Worth – 19 October 2026

• Mon, 9 Feb – Charlie Denton crowned Costa Coffee’s best barista in the UK & Ireland. Denton won the regional final with top scores in consistency, sensory skills, and service, advancing to the next stage of the chain’s global barista championship series. (London, UK)

• Tue, 10 Feb – Hotelex 2026 launches Green Coffee Bean Zone to link specialty producers with Chinese buyers. The new show floor segment will host origin delegations, roasters, and exporters to facilitate sourcing, meetings, and product showcases, thereby strengthening direct trade ties with Chinese importers and operators. (Shanghai, China)

• Tue, 10 Feb – Ethio-Italy Coffee Business Forum 2026 set for Milan on 19 Feb. Industry leaders from Ethiopia and Italy will meet to strengthen trade ties, promote specialty exports, and explore collaboration across value chains, including roasting, retail, and certification. (Milan, Italy)

• Tue, 10 Feb – NCA 2026 Convention to run 14-16 March. The event will convene nearly 800 coffee professionals, industry leaders, and decision-makers from across the coffee supply chain for networking, education, and community engagement opportunities. (Nashville, Tennessee, US)

• Wed, 11 Feb – World of Coffee Bangkok to take place on 7-9 May. The event will host the 2026 World Cup Tasters Championship, the Roaster Village, the Producer Village, cuppings, lectures, and Brew Bars. (Bangkok, Thailand)

• Wed, 11 Feb – SIAL Shanghai is scheduled to run from 18 to 20 May. Over 180,000 food and beverage professionals from 125 countries and regions are expected to attend, along with 5,000 exhibitors from 75 countries and regions. (Shanghai, China)

• Wed, 11 Feb – The tenth edition of Coffee Expo Vietnam will run from 29 to 31 October 2026. Over 19,120 and 235 brands from 18 countries are expected to attend. The event will feature the Vietnam Coffee Challenge and the Roastery Experience, including workshops, discussion sessions, and a simulated coffee shop competition. (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)

• Thu, 12 Feb – Café Show Seoul returns to South Korea from 11 to 14 November. The event is set to attract hundreds of exhibitors from more than 40 countries and over 160,000 visitors from across 80 countries. It will run alongside the 2026 Seoul Coffee Festival. Several competitions will take place at the event, including the Korea Coffee League, the 2026 Korean Barista Championship, and the Korean Brewers Cup Championship. (Seoul, South Korea)

• Thu, 12 Feb – The 2026 Dublin Coffee Festival will take place from 10 to 12 April. After a sold-out 2025 event, this year’s festival will feature an exhibition with over 50 local and international roasters and businesses, offering free coffee tastings and samples, demos and workshops, talks and panels, and competitions. (Dublin, Ireland)

• Fri, 13 Feb – Nordic Coffee Fest heads to Gothenburg from 28 February to 1 March. In addition to an exhibition featuring over 70 brands, the festival will include the all-new Global Roasters Showcase, industry talks, masterclasses, cuppings, and the third Nordics Best Roaster competition. (Gothenburg, Sweden)

• Fri, 13 Feb – GFH Week 2026 encourages the coffee industry to fund women’s healthcare. Running from 8 to 15 March, the Grounds for Health campaign aims to screen 500 women farmers for cervical cancer. (Vermont, US)

• Fri, 13 Feb – ASEAN SHOP Expo will take place from 10 to 12 September 2026. The newly launched event, combining VEND ASEAN and FNB ASEAN, is expected to attract over 30,000 visitors and 350 exhibitors. The exhibition will include coffee brands, vending machines and self-service facilities, payment solutions, commercial equipment suppliers, retail stores, and commercial displays. ASEAN Shop Expo will also feature the ASEAN Retail Leaders Summit. (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

• Fri, 13 Feb – Dalla Corte to showcase Icon, Zero Plus, and Studio espresso machines at CoffeeFest Madrid. At the event, running from 14 to 16 Feb, Dalla Corte will also host official Latte Art Grading System (LAGS) certification sessions to reinforce its commitment to training and professional development. (Madrid, Spain)

Here are a few coffee news stories from previous weeks that you might find interesting. Take a look:

• Mon, 2 Feb – Manatee Coffee partners with Florida Oceanographic Society to support marine life. The coastal-themed brand will donate a portion of sales to fund education and research for sea turtle and manatee protection. This collaboration aims to restore local waterways and enhance conservation efforts across the Treasure Coast. (Stuart, Florida, US)

• Wed, 4 Feb – Magnolia Bakery appoints Nathan Louer as chief executive officer. Louer joins the bakery and café brand to expand consumer engagement, strengthen retail operations, and advance digital and wholesale channels as part of a broader growth strategy. (New York City, New York, US)

• Fri, 6 Feb – George Howell marks 50 years in coffee with events at cafés. At 81, the specialty coffee pioneer celebrated five decades in the industry with talks, tastings, and reflections on his influence, from light-roast advocacy to the Cup of Excellence, underscoring his ongoing pursuit of quality. (Acton, Massachusetts, US)

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