The US’s fourth-largest coffee chain, Scooter’s Coffee, has removed the upcharge for plant-based milk alternatives at its 800+ locations across 29 states.
The change follows discussions with the corporate engagement team from animal protection organization Mercy for Animals, which urged Scooter’s Coffee to promote inclusivity by making plant-based options more accessible.
Mercy for Animals notes that almost 90% of people from some areas of East Asia are lactose intolerant, along with 80% of Native Americans, 65% of Africans and African Americans, and 50% of Latin Americans. Milk alternatives also have a much lower environmental impact than cow’s milk, meaning that removing the upcharge has benefits for both human health and the environment.
“We are thrilled that Scooter’s Coffee has listened to their customers and taken this important step,” said Jennifer Behr, corporate relations manager at Mercy For Animals. “Charging more for plant-based milk isn’t just an unfair pricing practice — it’s an equity issue. We’ve seen firsthand how upcharges create barriers for people who are lactose intolerant, particularly in communities of color, where lactose-intolerance rates are significantly higher.”

“The trend is clear”
The news comes in the wake of a similar move by Starbucks, which eliminated the extra charge for milk alternatives at all company-owned locations in the United States and Canada last October. Additionally, Dutch Bros dropped its plant-based milk upcharge last month after pressure from PETA. Dunkin’ is now the only top-four coffee chain charging extra for plant-based milk.
“We applaud Scooter’s Coffee for leading by example in making plant-based options more affordable,” said Behr. “Now we call on Dunkin’, Bluestone Lane, and Biggby Coffee to follow suit. The trend is clear — plant-based milk should be available at no extra cost. It’s the fair, sustainable, and health-conscious choice for customers everywhere.”