Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
Back to profile5 entries
2021
Mug ad copy accused of offending women; brand recalls mugs and apologizes twice
In February 2021, Sexy Tea's Changsha dialect-themed mugs and early advertising copy were criticized by netizens for offending women. The brand apologized twice on February 19 and 20, saying that its creative standards were inappropriate and its expression of gender relations improper, and announced a recall of the relevant mugs. This entry concerns a controversy over advertising expression and social media reputation.
2021
Mishandled communication between management and employees in pay dispute prompts public apology
In December 2021, Sexy Tea employees expressed dissatisfaction over reduced pay and work arrangements, and management's responses in an internal group chat sparked public controversy. The company issued an apology statement, admitting that it had lost composure and failed in its duties during communication, and said it would reflect and improve. This entry concerns a labor communication and management controversy, and does not treat all salary and resignation figures circulating online as verified facts.
2021
Court rules in Tea Yan Yue Se's unfair-competition case
Ruling
In a 2021 unfair-competition ruling, a court found that Guangzhou Luoqi and Guangzhou Kaijun Shengpin used decoration and other elements identical or similar to those of the tea brand Tea Yan Yue Se in their advertising and promotion. The court determined that this conduct constituted unfair competition. It ordered the two companies to stop the conduct and to jointly pay compensation for economic losses and reasonable rights-protection costs totaling 1.5 million yuan.
Source excerpt
洛旗公司、凯郡昇品公司广告宣传中的店招、室内标语海报、饮品菜单、集点卡等元素与原告装潢相同或近似，构成不正当竞争。
法院判决，洛旗公司、凯郡昇品公司停止在全国范围内与茶悦公司相同或近似装潢的广告宣传、加盟许可招商宣传、虚假宣传不正当竞争行为;洛旗公司、凯郡昇品公司共同向茶悦公司赔偿经济损失及合理维权费用150万元;
4月26日，长沙市天心区人民法院官方公众号发布茶颜悦色起诉茶颜观色不正当竞争侵权法院一审判决书。法院判决被告茶颜观色停止在全国范围内与茶颜悦色相同或近似装潢的广告宣传、加盟许可招商宣传、虚假宣传不正当竞争行为，并向茶颜悦色赔偿经济损失及合理维权费用累计170万元。
2021
Cha Yan Yue Se responds to employee pay dispute
Company response
After a dispute over November employee pay and management comments, Cha Yan Yue Se said its founder issued an apology to employees and would remain in communication with those involved. The company said temporary store closures had reduced some employees’ working hours and said it had reopened nearly 50 stores in Changsha that had temporarily closed in November.
Company response
Apology — 茶颜悦色
创始人吕良已在公司内部发布致歉信，并表示将与当事员工保持沟通。
Source excerpt
公司已复开长沙市内11月份临时关闭的近50家门店
创始人吕良已在公司内部发布致歉信，并表示将与当事员工保持沟通。
微博就“11月份员工薪资争议”一事发布说明，因为对薪资临时性调整解释工作不到位，导致员工群组后期讨论重点逐渐不可控。
2021
Chayan Yue Se recalls Changsha-dialect mugs
Recall announced
Chayan Yue Se apologized for inappropriate wording on a batch of Changsha-dialect themed mugs and said it would immediately recall the batch.
Company response
Apology — 茶颜悦色
在此真诚地给各位朋友道歉
Recall — 茶颜悦色
将立即召回这一批长沙话主题马克杯
Source excerpt
茶颜悦色日前发布致歉声明，称就茶颜悦色长沙话主题贵胄杯上因“捡篓子”这句长沙俚语的不妥造句给大家带来的糟糕观感，在此真诚地给各位朋友道歉，将立即召回这一批长沙话主题马克杯。