Chinese coffee chain Luckin is delivering a jolt to the java industry as it looks to brew up business in the United States after dominating its home market. Luckin, which was founded eight years ago, surpassed Seattle-based java giant Starbucks as the biggest coffee chain in China in 2023. Since then, the Xiamen-headquartered franchise has gradually expanded into the other Asian markets. By the end of the first quarter of 2025, the brand owned more than 24,000 shops worldwide. Now, Luckin is setting its sights on America. The newcomer to the U.S. retail coffee market currently boasts five stores in New York and is already gaining popularity. After debuting its first two U.S. locations in the city at the end of June, the company opened its most recent store in the heart of the financial district last month. In addition to its inventive drinks represented by the flagship product, the coconut latte, Luckin also appeals to younger demographics with a business model built around its App-only order platform and cashierless stores. Meanwhile, Luckin regularly offers steep discounts and promotions to users of its App. These have proven to be as irresistible as the company's beverages. Luckin's 2025 second-quarter results show that the Chinese coffee giant had an overall net revenue of more than 1.7 billion U.S. dollars, marking a 47.1 percent increase compared to the same period a year ago. This success comes at a time when Luckin's long-established rival, Starbucks, which has more than 17,000 stores in the U.S., is cutting prices in China. Starbucks has also recently announced a one-billion-dollar restructuring plan that includes shrinking its global footprint, closing hundreds of stores in the North American market, and laying off 900 more employees. Shotlist: New York City, USA - Recent: 1. Various of exterior of Luckin Coffee shop; 2. SOUNDBITE (English) consumer (name not given): "The coconut flavor within the coffee, I think that's the best."; 3. SOUNDBITE (English) consumer (name not given): "It kind of reminds me of when you go into a Starbucks, but you're also getting the speediness and quickness of a Dunkin'. So it's like the best of both worlds."; 4. Various of interior of Luckin Coffee shop, drinks on counter, baristas working; 5. SOUNDBITE (English) consumer (name not given): "I thought it had great flavor. And it was nice and easy to order."; 6. Various of consumer using Luckin Coffee's application to order drinks; 7. Various of baristas working; 8. SOUNDBITE (English) consumer (name not given): "The pricing is really good. It's really hard to find something affordable, quick, especially in Lower Manhattan, so just to have that for us everyday working people is great."; 9. Consumers in Luckin Coffee shop; 10. Reporter walking out of Luckin Coffee shop with drinks in hand; 11. Screenshot of report on Luckin Coffee's second quarter 2025 financial results; 12. Sign of Starbucks, buildings; 13. Various of exterior of Starbucks shop; 14. Sign of Starbucks; 15. Starbucks shop, consumers; 16. Notice on pasted on glass. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]