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Onyx Coffee Lab. Press release photo.
Onyx Coffee Lab Named James Beard 2026 Semifinalist for Outstanding Bar
Arkansas-based Onyx Coffee Lab is a semifinalist in the “Outstanding Bar” category for the 2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards. The category is historically dominated by cocktail and wine concepts. “This nomination recognizes what specialty coffee has become,” Jon Allen, co-founder of Onyx Coffee Lab, said in a company announcement. “Coffee today is a culinary craft, a hospitality experience and a cultural force. To see it acknowledged on this stage is a milestone not just for Onyx but for the industry.”
Keurig Dr Pepper Pods Recalled for Decaf Mix-Up
The FDA has classified Keurig Dr Pepper’s voluntary recall of 960 cartons of 84-count McCafé Premium Roast Decaf K-Cup pods as Class II after some cartons were found to potentially contain fully caffeinated pods. The products were sold via Amazon and shipped to customers in California, Indiana and Nevada, according to the recall notice.
Royal Coffee Matching Donations Up to $125,000 for Grounds for Health Week 2026
Oakland-based Royal Coffee is matching donations up to $125,000 for Grounds for Health Week 2026, which kicks off March 8 and supports expanded cervical cancer screening and care in coffee-growing regions.
Brazil Instant Coffee Exporters Question Ongoing U.S. Tariffs
Reuters reported that despite the 50% U.S. tariff being lifted for most Brazilian coffee imports, regular instant coffee has remained subject to the tariff. The U.S. is the largest export market for Brazilian instant coffee.
NKG Appoints Marten Sievers CEO for EMEA
Hamburg, Germany-based green coffee trader Neumann Kaffee Gruppe (NKG) has appointed Marten Sievers as its new CEO for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
Starbucks Posts 4% Comparable Sales Gain, Profits Fall on Higher Costs
Starbucks reported a 4% global comparable-store sales increase for its fiscal first quarter ended Dec. 28, 2025, with net revenues up 6% to $9.9 billion. GAAP EPS fell 62% year over year to $0.26, which Starbucks attributed in part to higher costs and other pressures, including tariffs and elevated coffee pricing.
Odeko Acquires D.C. Distributor District Distribution
New York-based cafe operations platform Odeko continues its venture-capital-fueled expansion with the acquisition of District Distribution, a Washington, D.C.-based specialty food and beverage distributor. Additionally, Odeko is entering into a partnership with Union Kitchen.
Dripos Rebrands, Launches ‘Counter Talk’ Publication
After closing an $11 million Series A funding round in April 2024, New York-based coffee shop software provider Dripos has rolled out a rebrand and launched a new coffee-focused publication called Counter Talk.
Starbucks Revamping Awards Program
Starbucks unveiled a new awards program, taking effect March 10. The new program includes three tiers — green, gold and reserve — affecting all of the company’s approximately 35 million U.S. users.
Unionized Peet’s Workers Rally as Stores Close
Workers at a unionized Peet’s Coffee store in Berkeley rallied for severance and transfer rights as Peet’s confirmed it will close “a number” of locations by the end of January, according to a Daily Californian report.
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- Accounts Receivable Specialist — La Marzocco
- National Sales Director – USA — Café William
- Country Manager — MARKIBAR INNOVACION SL
- Bacaro Café Attendant — Eastern Edge Food Hall
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- Sales Engineer — Franke Coffee Systems
- Continuous Improvement Manager — Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA
- Quality Control Manager — Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA
- Corporate Controller — Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA
ICYMI
Here are some of DCN’s top stories from the past week…
Caffè Nero Makes Bid to Acquire Compass Coffee in D.C.
UK-born coffee chain Caffè Nero has put in a bid to buy Compass Coffee’s assets following the Washington D.C.-area chain’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing earlier this month… read more
Brazilian Researchers Promote Targeted Application of Bees for Coffee
A small, stingless bee may be able to raise coffee yields while fitting into real-world pest control programs, according to a new study from Brazil… read more
WatchHouse Lands $14.8 Million Series B Round with Eyes on U.S.
HighPost Capital, a private equity firm 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 company prepares for U.S. expansion… read more
10 New Buddy Brew Cafes Planned for Florida Sprouts Stores
Florida-based specialty coffee chain Buddy Brew Coffee will soon be more than doubling its retail footprint with 10 new branded cafes in Sprouts grocery stores across Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida… read more
Nestlé Unveils Partners in Global Regenerative Agriculture Campaign
Global food giant Nestlé is launching two new collaborations designed to scale regenerative agriculture globally while attracting more young people into farming… read more
Ethiopia Study Identifies Key Variables Affecting Arabica Production
A decade of farm-level data from Ethiopia’s Gedeo Zone suggests coffee quality and yield are not dictated by a single factor such as altitude… read more
321 Coffee Gets Three Times More Capacity at New Raleigh Roastery
Inclusivity-focused North Carolina roasting company 321 Coffee has shifted its roasting operations into a larger facility, adding equipment that more than triples production capacity… read more
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