Specialty Coffee Shops Face Tough Choice: Keep Surcharges or Lose Customers?
The coffee world is shifting. Major chains are ditching plant milk surcharges, but independent shops face a tricky balancing act between cost and customer demand. As oat, almond, and soy milks become menu staples, the pressure to eliminate fees grows—yet for small cafes, the financial hit could be devastating. The question isn’t just about pricing; it’s about survival in a market where consumers expect non-dairy options without paying a premium. The math is clear: plant milks cost 55% more than dairy in the UK, with oat milk leading the charge. Chains like Starbucks and Pret A Manger have dropped surcharges,…