Nescafe Teams Up with SWOON to Create Espresso Lemonade Kit
Nescafe, the world’s largest coffee producer, is shaking up the summer beverage scene by teaming up with SWOON to introduce a limited-edition espresso lemonade kit inspired by a viral TikTok trend. With over 91 million views of espresso lemonade videos on the platform, the brand saw an opportunity to offer a fresh, café-style drink that’s easy to make at home. The kit includes a bottle of Necafe Espresso Concentrate, two cans of SWOON Classic Lemonade, and a recipe card to help consumer recreate the trending beverage. An optional second bottle of espresso concentrate in Sweet Vanilla is also available for those who want a slightly sweeter twist.
The beverage itself is a unique mix of Nescafe’s 100% Arabica bean espresso concentrate – known for its bold but smooth taste – and SWOON’s sugar-free lemonade, creating a refreshing balance of tartness and richness. Designed for customization and convenience, this drink offers a new way for coffee lovers to enjoy a cool summer treat without needing expensive equipment or barista skills. It reflects Nescafe’s commitment to meeting Gen Z’s demand for bold flavor, social media-inspired recipes, and at-home coffee innovation.
The kits will be released in three limited drops on June 13th, June 20th, and June 27th at noon ET, exclusively on Nescafe’s website. Available while supplies last, the collaboration also reinforces the brand’s efforts to stay culturally relevant and engage with younger consumers through fun, unexpected offerings. Nescafe’s latest move blends trend-driven marketing with functional creativity, redefining what a summer coffee drink can be.
Learn more here: NESCAFÉ® REDEFINES CLASSIC SUMMER DRINK WITH ESPRESSO LEMONADE HACK
International Delight Launches ‘We Hate Plain Coffee, Too’
International Delight recently launched its ‘We Hate Plain Coffee, Too’ campaign, built on a pop-up social experience called the ‘Simply Coffee Café’. Disguised as a regular coffee shop offering free coffee – but with no creamer, foam, or flavor – the setup aimed to capture real consumer reactions to plain, unadorned coffee.
The results were clear: participants were vocal about their dislike for plain coffee, reinforcing the brand’s belief that coffee lovers are, in fact, creamer lovers. This insight echoes broader trends showing a 56% drop in black coffee preference and finds that 79% of Gen Z drinkers opt for creamed coffee. International Delight’s Senior VP Olivia Sanchez noted, “Creamer lovers believe that plain coffee sucks, and we couldn’t agree more,” underscoring the brand’s commitment to bringing joy through flavor.
To bring the message to life, the campaign includes a suite of digital video assets that are broadcast across online video, social, and retail media platforms. Developed in partnership with FCB Chicago, these creative executions emphasize International Delight’s diverse flavor of offerings, from classics like French Vanilla and Carmel Macchiato to playful seasonal picks like Hot Chocolate Marshmallow.
Learn more here: IF YOU HATE PLAIN COFFEE, YOU’RE NOT ALONE. INTERNATIONAL DELIGHT® LAUNCHES NEW CAMPAIGN THAT PROUDLY PROCLAIMS, “WE HATE PLAIN COFFEE, TOO”
In-N-Out Wins Employee Satisfaction for 10 Straight Years
For the tenth year in a row, In-N-Out has been ranked the top restaurant brand for employee satisfaction, with an impressive 91% of employees saying they would recommend their job to a friend. The data, pulled from Glassdoor reviews and compiled by investment bank William Blair, highlights In-N-Out’s continued success in maintaining a positive work environment. Other top performers in this year’s ranking include Raising Cane’s, Peet’s Coffee, Caribou Coffee, Portillo’s, and Chick-Fil-A – all of which showed year-over-year improvements in employee satisfaction.
The study found that compensation has the weakest correlation to employee happiness among six key factors. While wages have risen across the industry, employees place greater value on company culture, growth opportunities, work-life balance, leadership, and diversity and inclusion. These ‘softer’ qualities have proven to be more critical in building a workplace where employees feel valued and fulfilled. Brands that perform well in these areas tend to generate stronger loyalty and morale among staff.
The report’s findings suggest that restaurant operators looking to improve employee retention should focus on more than just pay. Building a culture centered on purpose, supportive management, and flexibility can lead to significantly higher satisfaction. As the restaurant industry continues to compete for talent, those that invest in holistic workplace strategies are more likely to see long-term success in both employee engagement and brand reputation.
Learn more here: For 10th Straight Year, In-N-Out Wins on Employee Satisfaction - QSR Magazine