Luckin Coffee, China’s largest coffee chain, has officially landed in the United States, setting its sights on Starbucks’ home turf.
The company opened its first two U.S. stores on Monday, both located in Manhattan. To celebrate the launch, Luckin offered special promotions, including free tote bags for the first 100 customers. The real draw, however, is still ongoing: new customers can score drinks for just $1.99 by ordering through the Luckin Coffee app.
Often dubbed the “Starbucks of China,” Luckin has shaken up the coffee scene with cashier-less stores and ultra-low prices. In its home market—Starbucks’ second-largest globally—Luckin sells drinks for as little as 8.8 to 9.9 yuan (roughly $1.23 to $1.38), drawing in budget-conscious customers amid economic uncertainty.
Founded in 2017, Luckin has expanded rapidly, now boasting over 22,000 stores across China and outlets in Singapore. Its app-centric model allows customers to order and pay entirely online, although the U.S. stores differ due to New York City’s ban on cashless-only businesses.
Despite the change, the core model remains: fast, affordable, app-based coffee. The brand touts its high-quality beans, sourced from top global coffee regions and chosen from more than 180 flavor blends tailored to customer preferences.
Luckin’s U.S. menu is broad, echoing Starbucks in variety. Alongside hot and iced coffees, it offers cold brews in tropical flavors like blood orange, pineapple, and coconut, plus matcha drinks, frappes, and signature lattes.
The timing of Luckin’s American debut is notable, as competition heats up in China. Starbucks recently announced steep price cuts on popular drinks—including non-coffee options and Frappuccinos—with some priced as low as 23 yuan ($3.21), a move seen as a direct response to domestic rivals like Luckin.
In the U.S., Starbucks is also trying to win back customers with new summer menu items. The company is rolling out fresh takes on its classic Frappuccinos, including Salted Caramel Mocha, Brown Sugar, and Strawberry Matcha flavors, each topped with cold foam.
Whether Luckin can replicate its explosive success in China remains to be seen, but its arrival adds a bold new player to America’s competitive coffee landscape.
