Our recurring round-up of the latest specialty-coffee industry news.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
Featured image by Joshua Earle
Philz Coffee Purchased by Private Equity Firm for $145 Million
San Francisco, Calif.-born coffee chain Philz Coffee has been purchased by Freeman Spogli & Co., a Los Angeles-based private equity firm that has previously invested in other franchises, including El Pollo Loco and Petco. The sale will be finalized in August 2025. Early investors, including employees, are concerned their stocks will not be honored.
Jason Mraz Helps Revive Oceanside Coffee Shop
Grammy winner Jason Mraz is now co-owner of Jitters Coffee Pub, which has been operating in San Diego, Calif.’s Oceanside neighborhood since the ‘90s. The musician is helping Jitters founder and long-time friend, Vallie Gilley, revamp the café with a full menu of vegan comfort food and a stage for live music nights.
U.S. Women in Coffee Partners with Convoya Coffee to Support Women Coffee Growers
U.S. Women in Coffee (USWIC), a branch of the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (ICWA), has announced their partnership with Convoya Coffee to further Convoya’s Café Delas initiative, which seeks to empower women coffee growers. The collaboration will elevate the work of women producers and advocate for gender equity in the industry through storytelling, educational outreach, and market engagement.
China Opens Door to Brazilian Coffee Growers in the Wake of U.S. Tariffs
A recent 50% tariff placed on Brazil by United States President Donald Trump has threatened the Brazilian coffee industry, as the U.S. is one of the biggest importers of Brazilian coffee. In light of these tariffs, China has approved nearly 200 Brazilian coffee sellers to export coffee to the Chinese market, where demand is steadily rising. The deal will last for the next five years.
Study Finds Coffee to Have Anti-Aging Properties
A study published by the European Journal of Nutrition found that adults over the age of 55 who drank black coffee daily were less likely to become frail over time, echoing findings from other recent studies. The results were consistent between both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee.
South Korean Coffee Shops Take Action Against “Seat Hogs”
In South Korea, coffee shops have begun placing stricter rules around occupying café seats for long periods of time, in an effort to combat what some call “seat hogs” or ”café squatters.” Starbucks Korea has banned the use of all personal desktops, printers, and power strips, following ongoing complaints of customers using large computer equipment in-store, charging personal devices, and staying for long hours.
Subscribe and More!
As always, you can read Barista Magazine in paper by subscribing or ordering an issue.
Read the August + September 2025 Issue for free with our digital edition.
For free access to more than five years’ worth of issues, visit our digital edition archives here.
