Is Starbucks trying to get children hooked on its sugary drinks?

Starbucks has had a longstanding policy of avoiding marketing to children, but it recently launched its sweet, creamy banana Frappuccinos at the kid-filled Phoenix Zoo. "As Starbucks expands, it is attracting new demographics, from teens who hang out after school to young mothers chilling out with their toddlers. So the chain is adding more products that appeal to them," says this story. (Read the story at AZCentral.com)

Comments

[sbuxmanager]

Umm...First we promote a movie about a child, then we introduce Dot & Dash? I think the answer is yes. It's a pretty similar tactic to McDonalds. I'm just wondering what the kid's meal will look like in the future...tall frappuccino, donut, and a spiderman 3 watch?

[ivy]

From the article:

"Melissa Schwartz...complained to the manager of a Chicago Starbucks in March when about 40 teenagers flooded the store while she was trying to study for midterm exams. ...The store manager asked the teenagers to quiet down and gave Ms. Schwartz drink coupons. But the manager also told her there wasn't much he could do because the kids are customers too ..."

So, unsupervised kids have the right to be antisocial and turn the store into their own space?

When I was that age, I went to Burger King, video arcades, malls, construction sites, graveyards, parks, etc., not dullard coffee shops. Ok, sometimes Denny's and Big Boy. But late at night.

Pleeeease, Starbucks, stop appealing to kids. It will seriously drive me away.

[Niki]

I do not want Starbucks to be turned into a fast-food joint or a family diner type setting. I go to Starbucks to drink coffee and enjoy the 'ambience.' But, sadly, that is changing. Yesterday, I got my midmorning coffee and sat down to read, only to be annoyed at 3 little rug-rats running around the chairs, and when I looked up, I saw another lady sitting with her 3 little munchkins. It was disturbing. Now, mind you, I love kids - I have two beautiful daughters and five small grandkids. I'll take them to Chucky Cheese or McDonalds, thank you - somewhere they can run around. Starbucks is not the place

[deusx]

Don't blame starbucks, blame the parents. It's not like we had a whole line of kids products and enticed them in to buy them. We are responding to a growing number of children coming into our store or being brought into our store.

I've seen parents dump their 12 year olds off outside our door and not come bak for hours. If we kick them out for being little assholes (and wow, try working at a starbucks in a rich community near a private school) the parents will come in and scream at us, call corporate...the works.

[JustABarista]

I always thought that was kind of the point of sugar drinks, to kind of work non-coffee junkies in to the store. It started with mochas and vanilla lattes, etc then progressed to frappuccinos and now the new juice drinks. Most brands start building brand loyalty during childhood. You can't say that cocacola never did it (and at least the fruit drinks offer something other than sugar, like vitamins)

[Lauren]

Strawberries and "creme" was brought to us for non coffee drinkers -- and get this it was a hit with the kids. Only once they started that they tried the caramel frappuccino. Oh gosh, you mean THIS has coffee in it? (Hell I was 13 when the Mocha Coconut came out and I was addicted).

I think it was a market they didn't expect (young kids, expensive product, coffee) but as they started to see parents paying for their children or them giving them money (or it becoming a staple in a child's life) they obviously have a right to go where the money is.

Unfortunately one section of business ethics is a duty to your shareholders and their wants/needs/desires. Which are, in turn, money.

Will it continue to enhance America's problem with entitlement? Yes. Will it hurt America's fight against obesity? Most definitely. Is it Starbuck's responsibility to stop these things? Is one frappuccino every week or so going to KILL you? No.

[Niki]

I guess we have to wonder what does Starbucks want to be - a gourmet coffee house, catering to the coffee lovers, educating and introducing a variety of wonderful coffees from around the world, or another franchise - catering to 'everyone' by offering a little bit of 'everything'

[Lauren]

Can we do both?

[Wendalin]

What is everyones problem? Is there nothing better to do? Why don't you all go protest against something meaning full ...like walmart selling guns..or McDonald's making the universe obese.

[Fred Kiesche]

No doubt this will just give the Center for Science in the Public Interest another reason to complain!

[Scott]

Parents need to monitor their kids intake of sugar. If the kid gets whatever they want when they cry for it then the parent needs to learn how to deal with the childeren. It is a free world someone is always trying to find something bad out of a service or business. Self control people.Starbucks has the right to come out with whatever they think will provide a benefit to the customer. Everything the world has to offer does not need to be nutricious

[Boston Starbucks Rebel]

When I started working at Starbucks, it was mostly teenagers from high school, my little friends. The shift who was just a few years older said that it felt like she was babysitting us, which was basically it. However, I must say that I don't mind it when children come in with their parents. If parents control their children correctly, they will learn important lessons about social etiquette. Obviously teenagers are another deal due to their mental development or lack thereof. Remeber that Starbucks is about treating everybody with respect and dignity.

[MGR]

"I guess we have to wonder what does Starbucks want to be - a gourmet coffee house, catering to the coffee lovers, educating and introducing a variety of wonderful coffees from around the world, or another franchise - catering to 'everyone' by offering a little bit of 'everything'"

The latter. Is it fair to only be the "Third Place" for white people aged 30-55? I'd prefer that we continue to be a teenhangout/office/meetingplace/church/nonalcoholicfridaynightoption/firstdate/meditationspace/etc that it's morphed into for such a diverse group of people. It's how we've remained so popular. We're in the people business now, not just "catering to coffee lovers."

OK. Here is my deal: I am a frequent customer of a Starbucks located whitin a very busy commuter railroad station. I usually take a very early train (around 6:30 in the morning or so). Recently, a mother and her two children have begun to ride the same train. They also visit the Starbucks, ordering drinks. The kids insist on putting their elbows on the drink finished drink counter... One of the kids ALWAYS has a cough and insists on coughing in the direction of the preparation area. Honestly, it is so disgusting. I sometimes avoid the whole ordeal and get a cup after I reach my final destination (which also houses a Starbucks).

why not talk to the partners about it? they can in turn talk to the parent...

sometimes we're not paying attention (like we should) to what people are doing when we're, not well, paying attention..)

?

i'm sure they value you, as much as health and safety guidelines...

:)

[HopkinsBella]

^I'm sure that last line was sarcastic, too.^

All I can say in defense of the partners is that specifically during peak business hours of the day, some stores do become terrifically busy to the point where sometimes it looks like a cafe sweep hasn't been done in quite a while--even if one was done 45 minutes prior to me walking in because it is *so busy*. Partners are expected to monitor the cafe (per what I understand), but they should *not* have to police rowdy children, and particularly should not have to police the rambunctious childrens' parents who can't seem to keep them under control. It's not necessarily a good thing or a bad thing in and of itself that the store is increasing its customer base, but it can't be everything to everybody, including a bit of babysitting added to the coffee service.

damn little kids are ALWAYS laying all over the handoff bar...they order their drinks and then come stand directly in front of it and lay their arms all over it, peek over to watch what i'm doing, grab EVERY SINGLE DRINK after i call out the name and drink (even though they KNOW it isn't theirs!), etc.

but that's pretty much the only thing that annoys me about the kids in the store...

[Fred Kiesche]

Well, it's clear that Starbucks is contributing to the moral decay of the fiber of our nation.

[deusx]

Ooops sorry Fred, thats me. Starbucks is actually fighting against me in my secret war of evil.

one of my fave customers is a little boy who comes in to order for his dad. You can tell he's had to memorize the "grande non-fat, dry, two-equals cappuccino" especially since he says "two equal?" with a totally unsure look on his face. Some of the worst "kids" are actually teens. This 8 yo and others like him are just sweethearts.

[djchuang]

I'm waiting for the blog post here about the summer social earlier this week and the inside scoop on the 2 new juice-based Frappuccinos.

I'm having a grande Tangerine one right now, not all that excited about it. It'll be the only one I ever have; back to tried-and-true iced venti vanilla latte, and maybe my new-found fave' iced venti with room Americano!

[Nikki]

I love my store's diversity, we have cops, bikers kids and seniors... our regulars come hang out for hours sometimes. and if the kids get a little too roudy, well you stop by their table while you're doing a cafe check and ask them to keep it down... generally they just dont realize they're being that terrible... of course thats not taking into account the little brats who came in 5 minutes before close the other day and ordered about a dozen different fraps, and trashed the patio, throwing their drinks into the bushes and on the windows...

as for the new juice blends... they weren't tested near enough, the pomegranite tasted wretched with zen (although with passion and a shot of classic its not too bad) and the tangerine lime is ok... kinda watery though... we've discovered that if you add some melon to it, it tasted like fruit punch ;)

I agree on the pomegranate sucking with zen, and being decent with passion. Add a pump of blackberry or raspberry and then you've got a good, albeit sweet, drink on your hands. I still don't understand the nutrition of the two. The Pomegranate has waaaay more calories... is there a lot of added sugar to it compared to the tangerine?

I think you have the calories confused. Pomegranate has fewer calories. It is 100% juice whereas the Tangerine is 65% juice.

[Lauren]

Actually...

The grande for the pomegranate is at 280 while the grande for the tangerine is 190. You're right, the pomegranate does have more calories. It's simply because a natural pomegranate comes with calories -- more than your average fruit.

Pomegranate: 154
Orange: 62

http://www.dole5aday.com/ReferenceCenter/NutritionCenter/Chart/R_NutrChart.jsp?topmenu=1

We can argue the value of natural sugars, etc, but I thought I'd clear that up.

[newshift]

I LOVE the pomegranate frappuccinos. They are better if you leave the zen out completely, and just blend the juice and ice. Also if you mix the creme base with a little pomegranate AND tangerine, it takes like sherbert.

The blended juices are great. I don't feel half as bad about getting one as a frapuchino and they still taste good to me. :)

As for the kids I honestly agree. It's cool if they are with parents that look after them or come in and get their drinks and take off for a walk but when a kid comes in and trashes the deck or throws their drink on the window it's time to say "Sorry, but if your going to destroy the place don't come back we won't serve you unless you are with an adult."

[Anna]

Whoever thought Starbucks was a cafe AND a babysitting service offerer has GOT to be kidding me. If you need someone to babysit YOUR kids... then please, either go GET a babysitter or drop your kid(s) off at a Day Care Service. But please, let's not turn our coffee sanctuary/sanctuaries (Starbucks) into a Day Care Service OR a babysitting service offerer... I really did plan on working at Starbucks two years from now once I turn 16. And trust me, I really DON'T plan on working at Dunkin' Donuts anytime soon. Seriously. ;)

My comment to Melissa is... Havent you ever heard of a LIBRARY? You know people study there too. If you have a problem with the teenagers that go to starbucks, why dont you just say something to them and in turn see how quickly they will turn around...and jump you. Would you rather all fourty of those teens be doing starbucks reguarly, or coke or pot? You choose. Then go and tell their parents that you choose drugs OVER starbucks. They will appriciate that, wont they. They might actually jump you too. At least they are spending their time somewhere off the streets and not getting in any trouble. Their main reason for going to starbucks though was to annoy you and make you fail your midterms. Good job to them. Suck it up and ignore them, be more of an adult than they are. Because right now you are acting like my 11 year old brother. Go tell Mommy and maybe she will kick them out for you.

My comment to Wendalin. I totally agree with your comment. What are all these people doing, trying to get anyone that hasn't graduated high school out of Starbucks? Good luck with that. But I say let them waste their time. Then when they are done they can go and find something else to complain about that has no reason to be complained about... like how short the nieghbor cuts his grass.

Its really sad that America has came to this...complaining about EVERYTHING. And yet doing nothing that will really change ANYTHING.

[Miss Starbucks]

Maybe you ought to realize that Starbucks isnt your home away from home. Its your beverage away from home. If you spend enough time there to know all of this... maybe you should do the drive through.

[Anna]

My comment to Miss Starbucks-
*blink* Starbucks has a drive-through now? WTF? Damn I missed out on a lot of news while I was away from this site.

Uhh Miss Starbucks, clearly you aren't an employee, or else you would know that the "third place" goal of starbucks is for it to be your "home away from home".

[Miss starbucks]

Comment:

Rule one: when being rude and trying to make a point one should always provide their name, which you neglected to do.

Rule two: Apparently you are a starbucks employee and since rule three is starbucks is supposed to be your home away from home why dont you tell everyone on this site how much our drinks are going to increase because of the new high quality beds they are bringing in for people...and dont forget the three hundred thread count high quality sheets.

Rule three: we all know because of you now

Rule four: why dont you tell people on this site how many times youve messed up their drinks at the drive thru

Rule five: sounds like you are a recruiter maybe you should leave starbucks and join the United States Army. Or better yet you should just leave this site

Rule six: Since starbucks is home away from home as you stated I'm sure when I walk in with my dog no one will say anything since I am at home.

Rule seven: Best rule of all!! When opening your mouth... make sure you can hold up your comments 100%. Mr or Mrs Unknown name. Starbucks Employee???

See ya at home. Alligator

[MR A** Hole]

Back to the topic of this page...If kids get hooked on sugary drinks its their problem... Starbucks offers sugar free and decaf drinks.

See what the next law suit is going to be...

By the way you are obviously a Sbux employee...or by the way you talk you sound like you are a EX-Sbux employee. So since you only know one of the ten sbux commandments, what are the rest?

[AB Pahtna]

Wow, someone pissed in Miss Starbucks' coffee this morning. Funnily enough, where I work, "rule 6" is allowed. People bring their dogs in all the time (even the huge ones)

[seattle]

A. If kids get "hooked" on sugary drinks, well then I guess their parents or guardians aren't taking the time to teach them some little things like *moderation* or *healthy choices*.

B. Dogs are not to be in retail stores unless they are service dogs. Period. So, AB PAHTNA, go ahead and tell me what store you work in so that the next time a customer rightfully complains that every Tom, Dick and Harry are bringing their regular old dogs into a place that serves food and beverages I can come find you for not enforcing it.

C. I've said it once and I'll continue saying it-we all need to reinstate the old rule of ***personal responsibility*** if we're ever going to stop this whole litigious it's-someone-else's-fault-so-I-can-get-money-out-of-them ridiculousness.

[STARBUCKS QUEEN]

Oh okay AB PAHTNA...Did you know that some of the people that get on this site actually work at starbucks and you cant just lie and think no one will say anything.

DOGS...
Cant be taken in starbucks, or most of any other buisnesses, unless they are for a blind person. If you cant tell the truth, refrain from posting your comment.

[AB Pahtna]

Oh Okay STARBUCKS QUEEN.... did you konw that I actually work at starucks, and I'm not lying? The neighbourhood I work in is ridiculous. Every store except for the major grocery store allows dogs to enter. This includes cafes, retail store, small groceries etc. Is it against provincial health code? yup. Do the residents care? nope. Do the officials do anything about it? nope. Why not? Because this community is full of more influential people than most of the country.
How about you and SEATTLE not assume that I'm full of shit. You guys can be major assholes.

[Boston Starbucks Rebel]

OMG! I think Canadian Starbucks partners who work for Quebec subsidary should stay off this website before we decide to invade your country. Well, I think that after Iraq and Afghanistan it should be a walk in the park! HAHAHAHA! If they can do it on South Park why can't we do it in real life. Then at last we can finally enforce all the Starbucks rules against you all rebel Starbucks partners! Most Starbucks beverages make me sick after I drink them because most stores are very unsanitary. No lie, true story. They are just simply filthy places and the dogs make it the worst! I wish I had a taser in my apron so I could zap every "Fluffy" that came into my store, and yes there would be manic laughter as I would do it! HAHAHAHAHA!

[starbucks grandma]

all i know is that i like leather

[Miss Starbucks]

Well if we are aloud to have dogs in when I bring my st bernard in and I get kicked out...I would like to have your name and location so I can tell the corporate office that you said that it is alright

[Mr A** Hole]

Well if we can now have dogs in starbucks why cant we make everything smoking?

[coffeeguy :)]

no Dogs are allowed in a starbucks store it's not sanitary.

[AB Pahtna]

I never said that dogs are allowed at all starbucks, and chances are, if you go to your local Bucks with your dog, they will ask you to take it outside. But if you come to ours, or any other store/cafe in our neighbourhood, you will be welcomed with your pet. It's just the culture of the neighbourhood.

[STARBUCKS GOSSIP]

Please knock off the name-calling and keep the conversation civil. I've deleted several messages here; I really don't want to ban people from posting, but....

[Boston Starbucks Rebel]

There are plenty of ugly dogs who come into my store everyday. They should just stay home. But then again there are some beautiful "woofs" that come in and I just went to...

[seattle]

OMG AB PAHTNA-I never said you were full of anything, please don't put words in my mouth. I merely pointed out that it is company policy that dogs/animals are not allowed in stores unless they are service animals due to sanitary/health reasons. I don't care how "influential" you think the people in your neighborhood are-policy is policy. I was serious about coming to find you the next time I have to listen to someone complain that partners are allowing people to bring in non-service dogs because they're too weak to enforce a policy.

BTW MISS STARBUCKS-no one at corporate is going to accomodate to you when you complain that you perceived that someone on a website that is not sponsored or affiliated with Starbucks in any way said you could bring dogs into the stores that are not service dogs.

[jackiechestnut]

Come with a friend, have them watch your doggie on the patio while you order. Or go through the drive through with your dog in the car and then come sit on the patio. If you dont have a patio...then..oh well, we do!

Back to the topic at hand. I NEVER will suggest frapps for kids. Hot chocolate, vanilla steamers. Or something from the RTD case, like chocolate milk or apple juice, and offer to put it in a glass. If they ask for something blended, then I suggest it. I just feel gross telling someone to get their kid this fatty drink.

There's a mother that brings her VERY FAT kids into my store. The mother isn't large, but the children are. They have to be about 8 and 12. They BOTH get Venti frapps. The mother gets a tall frapp light. obviously, she thinks kids are immune.

and doggies shouldn't be in the store, they can get fur on things and knock stuff over.

Also, did you know that all the profit from the sale of 'The Little Engine that Could' is going to the Right to Read program? It will begin sales on Aug 1st, if your store hasnt gotten it yet.

[M]

For god's sake, you actually have expectations from a commercial coffee shop? If you want some kind of existential experience, go to a real coffee shop. Not some commercial thing thats on every damn corner of a suburb.

[Tony]

I'm 14 and I visit Starbucks on a semi-regular basis. I like my coffee, sometimes decaf, sometimes normal. But I'm respectful when I go there, and don't annoy people. If I decide to sit in the cafe part, I read and am quiet.

I think Starbucks should have some sort of policy. There's a bookstore around here that has a cafe, and overly loud customers (young and old) are asked to quiet down. Then they are asked to leave.

I personally like Starbucks, not only for their coffee, but for their tea and the atmosphere. The people who work there also treat me with respect. They don't say, "You're to young to drink coffee!" I worked two jobs this summer while preparing for highly advanced high school courses. I can drink a cup of coffee if I like.

And for those of you who work at Starbucks and have to put up with bratty customers and immature teenagers and children, I give you a pat on the back. Thanks for the patience and hard work.

And the yummy products! ^_^

[Lara]

today I saw a mother of two yong children , a six year old and a 3 yr old, bought them both coffee drinks, not decaf... wtf???

[Dan]

I'm becoming disillusioned with Starbucks. At one time they were adult places for quite reading and conversation, as most coffee shops function. However, it now seems that Starbucks has marketed itself as a "family coffee shop," encouraging parents to bring their small children along. I don't think Starbucks is marketing to children per se. Rather, they seem to be marketing to parents WITH children: more bodies in the shop=more potential $$ to the store. Whatever the reason, they're increasingly becoming surrogate Dairy Queens and the like. . . . noisy, unpleasant. Tacky consumerism at its worst.

I'm gravely disappointed with Starbucks.