rd+d - Coffee and tea

Form + Function: Drive-Thru Coffee Restaurant Design

Americans’ demand for coffee continues to be as robust as a potent espresso. In 2024, the number of U.S. adults who have had coffee in the past day increased by 37% since 2004, according to the National Coffee Association.

Ins and Outs of Coffee Bars

In the U.S., coffee bars are a staple of the cultural landscape.

Bad Ass Coffee Expands into South Carolina

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii will open three new units in South Carolina, with the brand’s Rock Hill location being its first in the state.

Ellianos Coffee Signs First Store Deal in Tennessee

The drive-thru specialty coffee brand will bring a new store to Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Boba Tea Shop Doubles Down on Sleek Design

Bold tiles, neon signs and vibrant hues were used to craft Bobaroma’s new location.

Boba Tea Concepts Bubble Up

Three boba concepts have made announcements, including new markets, franchisees and a newly designed space in Ontario.

Form + Function: Coffee Bars

Coffee is hot, even though it is sometimes served on ice. Over the past few decades, the explosion of coffee culture in the U.S. sparked rapid growth of coffee-centric outlets from local mom-and-pop establishments to multinational chains.

Big Island's Flagship and Tasting Room

Big Island Coffee Roasters will open its flagship cafe, tasting room and roastery in Hawaii later this month.

Best Practices for Building and Operating an Innovation Lab

McDonald's does it. Chick-fil-A does it, and now a much smaller operator, Scooter's Coffee, is doing it. Here are seven best practices for opening and operating an innovation lab.

Caribou Coffee Goes Big, Inks Deals to Open 300 Units

Caribou Coffee announced the signing of several multi-unit development agreements that total more than 300 new locations domestically.

Packing a Punch in Restaurant Design

Designers are challenged to work their magic in ways that pack a visual punch, generating buzz and further enhancing the guest experience with aesthetics that surprise and delight.

Biggby to Open First Georgia Location

Biggby Coffee continues its aggressive expansion plans by breaking into the Georgia market.

Best Practices for Reviving an Ailing Brand

Here are seven best practices for reviving an ailing brand.

How to Create Authentic Design

Authenticity is key to a restaurant having a soul, and it can’t be faked.

Bad Ass Coffee Unveils New Prototypes, Formats

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii unveiled new prototypes that emphasize franchisee and customer flexibility, including double drive-thru lanes and streamlined order pickups.

Black Rock Coffee Opens Drive-Thru Location

The coffee shop strategy of creating a third place — a spot outside home and work — for people to gather, might be a waning trend. Black Rock Coffee Bar is among the many coffee chains that are opening drive-thru-only locations.

How to Make a Chain Look Like an Independent

Here's what it takes to grow a chain full of boutique stores.

Caribou Coffee Launches Domestic Franchise Program

Panera Brands is launching a domestic franchise program for Caribou Coffee.

Modular & Container Construction in Restaurant Design

Three companies see a bright future for these types of builds.

Vietnam Coffee Brand Comes to U.S.

Vietnam-based TNI King Coffee opened its first U.S. location. The Anaheim unit is just a 10-minute walk from Disneyland at Anaheim Garden Walk.

Bubble Tea Franchise Announces 10 New Locations on West Coast

Just two months after launching its franchising program, Presotea, an international Bubble tea brand, announced the sale of 10 new locations on the West Coast.

Hex Marks the Spot at Modern Coffee Chain Better Buzz

Based in San Diego, Better Buzz Coffee is an emerging chain that eschews the warm wood tones and aesthetic that the largest players in the coffee space embrace. Two recent locations showcase the brand’s light and bright vibe that’s designed to fully embrace social media aesthetics.

Tim Hortons Unveils Innovation Cafe

Canadian donut chain Tim Hortons has unveiled its inaugural innovation cafe. Dubbed Tim Horton’s 130 King, the restaurant represents a modern interpretation of the hockey player inspired restaurant.

Dunkin’ to Open 50 New Locations

Dunkin’ announced it has signed agreements to open 50 new locations as it continues to focus on growth and development efforts outside of the Northeast. New locations under the agreements are slated to open over the next few years in key growth markets including Texas, Michigan, Kentucky, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Nevada and Missouri.

Tagged Articles

Coffee and tea