Luckin Coffee Partners with Duolingo for First US Brand Collaboration
Key Takeaways
- •Luckin Coffee has entered its first US brand partnership through a limited-time collaboration with Duolingo at its New York City locations.
- •The campaign features themed signature drinks centered on summer and back-to-school season, along with co-branded packaging and collectible merchandise.
- •Luckin Coffee surpassed Starbucks to become China's largest coffee chain by store count in 2023 before expanding into the US market.
- •Duolingo brings hundreds of millions of global users and a strong reputation among Gen Z audiences to the partnership.
- •Additional signature drinks are planned for release as the collaboration progresses beyond the initial two offerings.
Chinese coffee chain Luckin Coffee has teamed up with language-learning platform Duolingo for a limited-time collaboration across its New York City locations, marking the company's first brand partnership in the United States.
The campaign centers on a series of signature drinks designed to celebrate summer and the back-to-school season. The first offering, "Study Now or I Get Icy," launched on 28 July and highlights summer learning and creativity. A second drink, "Time to Luck and Learn," is positioned as part of the back-to-school lineup and promotes coffee as "the ultimate study companion."
Luckin Coffee, known for its trend-driven menu, has rapidly expanded in China — surpassing Starbucks to become the country's largest coffee chain by store count in 2023 — and recently entered the US market through its New York City locations. The Duolingo partnership signals an effort to build brand awareness among American consumers as it establishes a foothold in a competitive market dominated by established players. Duolingo, one of the world's most popular language-learning apps, boasts hundreds of millions of users globally and has built a reputation for its gamified learning approach and a social media presence that has resonated strongly with Gen Z audiences.
The collaboration is built around the idea that everyday rituals — such as grabbing a coffee or practicing a new language — can enhance the learning experience.
"As brands that naturally resonate with Gen Z, this collaboration felt like an authentic way to connect with our communities through experiences they'll genuinely enjoy," says Mai Shi, Head of Marketing at Luckin Coffee.
Beyond the signature drinks, the partnership includes exclusive co-branded packaging, collectable merchandise, and purpose-designed hot and cold cups. Additional signature drinks are expected to be introduced as the campaign progresses.
"At Duolingo, we're always looking for creative ways to make learning feel more engaging and fit naturally into people's everyday lives. Partnering with Luckin Coffee is a fun way to bring our brand personality into a daily ritual our community already loves," says Kat Chan, Duolingo Senior Director of Brand Marketing.
The collaboration is available at Luckin Coffee's New York City locations.