Students across the UK are set to enjoy the ultimate study break this May as Grind teams up with Penguin Books for a nationwide summer tour combining coffee culture and storytelling.
The new Grind x Penguin Summer Tour will travel to major university campuses between 18th and 26th May, offering students aged 18–21 a chance to take a break from revision with iced coffee, audiobooks, and exclusive giveaways.
Grind and Penguin Launch “Literary Café” Pop-Up Experience
The collaboration will see a co-branded truck transformed into a travelling “literary café,” stopping at universities in Leeds, Manchester, Cardiff and Brunel University of London.
Designed as a space for students to reset during exam season, the pop-up combines a mobile iced coffee bar with an immersive audiobook experience.
Visitors will be able to scan a QR code to unlock curated audiobook extracts from a selection of Penguin authors, including Emily Henry, Gary Stevenson, Margaret Atwood, and Lizzie Damilola Blackburn.
The audio content will also feature bespoke radio-style narration in a specially created YouTube format, encouraging students to engage with stories in a more accessible and relaxed way.
Exclusive Drinks and Limited-Edition Merchandise
Alongside Grind’s signature coffee range, the tour will introduce two seasonal drinks created specifically for the campaign:
- Iced Spanish Latte
- Iced Strawberry Matcha
Drinks will be served in limited-edition co-branded cups, while students can also pick up exclusive stickers, bookmarks, caps, and a specially designed zine focused on self-care and switching off during stressful study periods.
Fans of coffee culture can explore more from Grind, while audiobook lovers can browse titles via Penguin Books.
Penguin and Grind on Supporting Students During Exams
Rebecca Sinclair, Chief Brand Officer at Penguin Books, said the campaign is designed to support students during one of the most stressful points in the academic year.
She explained that books have the power to elevate mood, shift perspectives, and provide moments of escape during busy lives, adding that the partnership with Grind was created to offer students “thoughtful and uplifting” moments to pause and reset.
Stacey Britt Fitzgerald, Brand Director at Grind, also highlighted the importance of taking breaks during revision season.
She said many students forget there is “a world beyond the library” during exams, adding that getting lost in a story for even ten minutes can help people feel more like themselves again.
Grind x Penguin Summer Tour Dates
The Grind x Penguin Summer Tour will run from 10am to 4pm at the following locations:
- Monday 18th May – University of Leeds
- Wednesday 20th May – University of Manchester
- Friday 22nd May – Cardiff University
- Tuesday 26th May – Brunel University of London
For more information about the tour, visit Penguin UK.
Why Brand Collaborations Like This Matter to Gen Z
The campaign taps into the growing popularity of “little treat culture” among Gen Z consumers, blending affordable indulgences like iced coffee with mindful entertainment experiences such as audiobooks and digital storytelling.
Recent collaborations between lifestyle brands and publishers have increasingly focused on wellness, escapism, and creating offline moments for younger audiences — especially during high-pressure periods like exam season.
