Starbucks tests sales of protein smoothies at Seattle stores

Six Starbucks stores in Seattle are selling reduced-calorie banana strawberry and banana chocolate "Protein Smoothies Powered by Kinetix" in 16-ounce sizes for $3.99. "It's a high-quality, fresh-tasting item that obviously has health benefits," says a Starbucks spokesman. A venture capital firm co-founded by Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz has invested in Kinetix. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

Comments

[seattlesuburb]

ok, so I think I have been extremely cynical when it came to A LOT of the new things starbucks was trying, but I could actually see myself buying this.....i know a lot will HATE this idea tho

[johnmoore (from Brand Autopsy)]

Anyone else reminded of those Power Frappuccino days?

[Patrick]

Seems like a good product, though I would like to try it for myself. It is kind of scary that it is another step away from coffee however. Not sure.

On a side note, to those who would be interested, I am doing a documentary about trying to meet Uncle Howie regarding an idea for Starbucks. It outlines my attempts at contacting him mainly via phone calls, mailing items and so on. I am trying to display the personal side of Starbucks.
www.YouTube.com/PatTheEntrepreneur

Sorry to inconvenience anyone if this is considered spamming.

[Chris]

Pretty funny entry considering it's above the entry about Starbuck's cutting back on their list of drinks.

"Ironic dont ya think?"

[DT]

interesting how uncle howie's VC firm invested in this company. Conflict-of-interest anyone???

[Joe O.]

That's exactly what I was thinking, Chris. It's very ironic.

Just like when they talk about trying to find ways to speed up service yet they cut back on hours allowed. That's ironical too.

[Pat Nerr]

it extends a bit further than just a product though. There used to be a company we used to manage the corporate gym... somehow, the managed to oust them and bring in Kinetix to manage the gym using an ROI. The facts are this... the cost of Kinetix to manage it is nearly triple... the numbber of employees that benefit from the gym... roughly 1000 (and that's members... not people that actually go)

for shame... and it looks really bad. C'mon Howard... Let's ask partners if they want such things next time.

[Zipy]

I'd try it. It sounds like its a premade bottled item so I don't think its that ironic. Our menu can stiill get smaller and allow for more food/bottled items. Those aren't really on the 'menu' and doesn't involve a partner doing much more then ordering the items / putting them in the food case.

[Megan G.]

I am a customer, and I just wanted to say that I really like the veggie w/dip to-go items at my Starbucks! I'd welcome a protein smoothie, and would probably end up there more than once a day, coffee in the morning, and a smoothie and snack later!

Thanks to my friendly baristas in the Riverside, CA area- you make my morning start off right! And my afternoons....and my evenings...LOL

[DT]

Patt Nerr - Kinda makes you glad you stopped drinking the Kool-Aid and left hmm?

[Pat Nerr]

for sure... I tasted those bad boyz in the lab and they're sooo good I may try to get my job back.

Erases all that other stuff for sure.

[SoylentGreenApron]

Yeah, I also noticed that coincidence....that the same company we just hired to take over the gym (with an increase in gym fees, but no improvements in facilities or services) is also partnering with us to sell their protein drinks in stores and is a pet project of Howard's VC firm. Huh, small world.

[Pat Nerr]

soylent... your IP is showing...

[Logan]

Kinetix Protein smoothies? Hmmmm, sounds like the power smoothies, but from what I hear there's a lot of people excited...must be a reason. Anyone know when we can get them rolled out to all of the NWR? I heard that it was only the SSC that was able to have the Kinetix program but a few stores are participating too.. Would be great to make it available to all of us....

[misto-ree]

pat nerr - off topic ...
since you have the inside scoop...
whatever happened with leadership conference? skipped one year bc of costa rica, skipped costa rica, never mentioned again. i attended a
q-and-a with jim alling recently, and was gonna ask, and everyone said to not mention it.whats the deal? any insight on this one?

[Pat Nerr]

The corporate answer is "we're re-evaluating the effectiveness of conferences and how to make a sustainable experience..."

The guy that has all of the expertise in putting on the conferences will be gone in a week so they're gonna need to hire someone who knows how to do that. My feeling is that the current financial trauma SBUX is in and all of the issues in Store Dev you won't see a conference in a while...

You should ask Jim and see what kind of response you get... see how close I am.

[Andrea]

I'm a customer and just tried one of these healthy smoothies at the S Mercer store-FANTASTIC!! After a long run this morning its nice to have a healthy option. I'm so glad you guys are doing this-Thank you! I live closer to the north end of the island, any word on when they will be available everywhere?

[Lilith]

issues in Store Dev? You've got my attention...

[JT]

Yes, I just tried one (the chocolate-banana) at the South Mercer Island store (on the way to watch the Blue Angels).

They are pretty good. Smooth, and you can distinctly taste both the chocolate and the banana. The protein powder taste was very subtle, and was not too noticeable.

Both drinks are in the 240-260 calories range, 24g of which are protein. The fat content is 6g which leaves approx 24-26g of carbs for the rest of the drink.

Not bad. I will definitely order it again. A bit expensive for the size - $3.90 for a grande (the only size offered), but it runs cheaper than an Emerald Smoothie, and has less carbs. I guess it is about the same price as an equivalent frappacino (which I rarely order), but it is definitely healthier for you.

Next time I may pay to have have a shot of espresso added, just for the hell of it.

[JT]

Andrea,

The manager at the S MI store said they are running the promo through October 1.

He did not know any details about subsequent regional/national rollout, but MY guess is if it is successful, it will either coindice with January 1 (all the new year's resolutions) or next Spring, to target everyone trying to get ready for summer (plus it is a cold drink....)

[dave]

The manager at the south mercer store isn't a man. Hasn't been for almost six years. There used to be an Assistant manager there who is male, but he moved on with the company.

Miss you guys.

[JT]

re: manager at S MI. That was my designation, not what he identified himself as. My mistake. So, then change the reference in my above comment to the "older gentleman who was "running the show"" at the S MI store this afternoon...

[lotsofroom]

I've had the chocolate banana with a shot poured over the top as recommended by the barista. It is wonderful. With these healthier options, I've found myself spending more money each day. Rarely would I order a frappucino - just because of the amount of calories. I'm glad Starbucks is testing this. I think they'll find people like me. Customers who are looking for healthier options and not wanting to indulge every time I hit a Starbucks store.

[TheZero]

A shot over the top? Wow, that is REALLY healthy! *sarcasm*

I really don't like making the milksha.... um, frappuccinos at all, so I'm not to thrilled about this one. I hope this goes the way of the Barista bear.

[aaronb]

TheZero,

Please feel free to quit your job and go elsewhere. If you hate doing your job so much, maybe you woul dbe happier elsewhere.

[uh huh]

Wow!!! Nothing about how Starbucks is cutting 87% of it's roasting plant distribution workforce at it's Kent Roasting plant with plans for Carson and York in the near future...

[Pat Nerr]

Lilith: Yes... Store Dev has been having issues. They can't get enough folks hired and trained properly to do the work. They tried to set some standards about 2 years ago, but with the complexity of it and the amount of incompatible tools they use there are quite a few mistakes being made. They are struggling a bit and you're seeing the effects in the news (i.e. hold offs on store openings) As you can imagine, Store Dev has a complicated job and they need support.

[Pat Nerr]

Anyone have the retail workbench yet?

[TheZero]

AARONB: Please realize that this is a job, and I have a right to talk about it however I wish. I signed up to work for a coffee shop, not for a milkshake stand.

Here in Texas, the iced drinks go better than the milkshakes. I guess people finally got the message that we are not a kid's store. Over- healthy stuff doesn't go well here in the Lone Star State.

[Dave]

JT, didn't mean to have that as an insult if it was taken as such. For all but my first month at the store people always thought I was the manager. One of the oddities about retail management is the way the time demands decrease your interaction with customers.

As for the kinitex shakes, I tried one the last time I returned. Overall I enjoyed it, but I think it should have just a tad bit more substance, like one more strawberry or somehow slightly more banana

[Ten]

Thank you! Based on the recommedation from the barista, I tried a Strawberry Kinetix smoothie from the Madison Park Starbucks and enjoyed it. I haven't had the chocolate yet but will try one this weekend after my swim. I am an active person around Seattle and this drink will come in handy as a post workout snack. I will make sure my friends know about it and suggest further options.
Apparently, Kinetix is a wellness company not exclusive to Starbucks. The company also has detailed workouts, recipes, and nutrition guides online. www.kinetixliving.com/smoothie

[Alex]

I've tried this at the Greenlake location and it was really good. I was impressed it's only about 250 cal with 26grams of protein. The price isn't bad most protein shakes are $4-5 and it is not bottled. I just hope they start adding it to more menus at other Starbucks because it would be a convient place to get my daily protein shake.

[PDXBarista]

...

If you really want the extra protein, why not just blend up a breakfast sandwich in that frap?

[lotsofroom]

The one that comes close is the Classic Sausage, Egg and Cheddar and has 22g of protein BUT with a whopping 25g of fat. No thank you, blend the smoothie for me for 1/2 the calories.

Alex - I'm with ya!

where can I try these protein smoothies? what flavours?