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Onyx Espresso Lab. Press launch picture.
Onyx Espresso Lab Named James Beard 2026 Semifinalist for Excellent Bar
Arkansas-based Onyx Espresso Lab is a semifinalist within the “Excellent Bar” class for the 2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards. The class is traditionally dominated by cocktail and wine ideas. “This nomination acknowledges what specialty espresso has change into,” Jon Allen, co-founder of Onyx Espresso Lab, stated in a firm announcement. “Espresso immediately is a culinary craft, a hospitality expertise and a cultural power. To see it acknowledged on this stage is a milestone not only for Onyx however for the trade.”
Keurig Dr Pepper Pods Recalled for Decaf Combine-Up
The FDA has labeled Keurig Dr Pepper’s voluntary recall of 960 cartons of 84-count McCafé Premium Roast Decaf Okay-Cup pods as Class II after some cartons have been discovered to doubtlessly include totally caffeinated pods. The merchandise have been offered by way of Amazon and shipped to clients in California, Indiana and Nevada, in response to the recall discover.
Royal Espresso Matching Donations As much as $125,000 for Grounds for Well being Week 2026
Oakland-based Royal Espresso is matching donations as much as $125,000 for Grounds for Well being Week 2026, which kicks off March 8 and helps expanded cervical most cancers screening and care in coffee-growing areas.
Brazil On the spot Espresso Exporters Query Ongoing U.S. Tariffs
Reuters reported that regardless of the 50% U.S. tariff being lifted for many Brazilian espresso imports, common on the spot espresso has remained topic to the tariff. The U.S. is the biggest export marketplace for Brazilian on the spot espresso.
NKG Appoints Marten Sievers CEO for EMEA
Hamburg, Germany-based inexperienced espresso dealer Neumann Kaffee Gruppe (NKG) has appointed Marten Sievers as its new CEO for Europe, Center East and Africa (EMEA).
Starbucks Posts 4% Comparable Gross sales Acquire, Earnings Fall on Greater Prices
Starbucks reported a 4% international comparable-store gross sales improve for its fiscal first quarter ended Dec. 28, 2025, with internet revenues up 6% to $9.9 billion. GAAP EPS fell 62% yr over yr to $0.26, which Starbucks attributed partly to larger prices and different pressures, together with tariffs and elevated espresso pricing.
Odeko Acquires D.C. Distributor District Distribution
New York-based cafe operations platform Odeko continues its venture-capital-fueled enlargement with the acquisition of District Distribution, a Washington, D.C.-based specialty meals and beverage distributor. Moreover, Odeko is coming into right into a partnership with Union Kitchen.
Dripos Rebrands, Launches ‘Counter Speak’ Publication
After closing an $11 million Collection A funding spherical in April 2024, New York-based espresso store software program supplier Dripos has rolled out a rebrand and launched a brand new coffee-focused publication referred to as Counter Speak.
Starbucks Revamping Awards Program
Starbucks unveiled a brand new awards program, taking impact March 10. The brand new program consists of three tiers — inexperienced, gold and reserve — affecting all the firm’s roughly 35 million U.S. customers.
Unionized Peet’s Staff Rally as Shops Shut
Staff at a unionized Peet’s Espresso retailer in Berkeley rallied for severance and switch rights as Peet’s confirmed it’ll shut “a quantity” of places by the top of January, in response to a Every day Californian report.
ICYMI
Listed here are a few of DCN’s high tales from the previous week…
Caffè Nero Makes Bid to Purchase Compass Espresso in D.C.
UK-born espresso chain Caffè Nero has put in a bid to purchase Compass Espresso’s property following the Washington D.C.-area chain’s Chapter 11 chapter submitting earlier this month… learn extra
Brazilian Researchers Promote Focused Utility of Bees for Espresso
A small, stingless bee could possibly increase espresso yields whereas becoming into real-world pest management applications, in response to a brand new examine from Brazil… learn extra
WatchHouse Lands $14.8 Million Collection B Spherical with Eyes on U.S.
HighPost Capital, a non-public fairness agency co-founded by Jeff Bezos’s half-brother Mark Bezos, has invested £7.3 million (US$9.9 million) in UK-based chain WatchHouse as the corporate prepares for U.S. enlargement… learn extra
10 New Buddy Brew Cafes Deliberate for Florida Sprouts Shops
Florida-based specialty espresso chain Buddy Brew Espresso will quickly be greater than doubling its retail footprint with 10 new branded cafes in Sprouts grocery shops throughout Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida… learn extra
Nestlé Unveils Companions in World Regenerative Agriculture Marketing campaign
World meals large Nestlé is launching two new collaborations designed to scale regenerative agriculture globally whereas attracting extra younger individuals into farming… learn extra
Ethiopia Examine Identifies Key Variables Affecting Arabica Manufacturing
A decade of farm-level knowledge from Ethiopia’s Gedeo Zone suggests espresso high quality and yield should not dictated by a single issue resembling altitude… learn extra
321 Espresso Will get Three Instances Extra Capability at New Raleigh Roastery
Inclusivity-focused North Carolina roasting firm 321 Espresso has shifted its roasting operations into a bigger facility, including tools that greater than triples manufacturing capability… learn extra
