Starbucks officially announces its "Skinny" drinks

You read about them first on Starbucks Gossip, but now the company has released its news release on the drinks. It says: "If customers replace their daily tall Starbucks Vanilla Latte with Starbucks Skinny Vanilla Latte they would save 700 calories and 35 grams of fat per week. Swapping out a daily, tall Caffè Mocha (made with 2% milk and no whip) for a Skinny Mocha would save 550 calories and 30 grams of fat per week. ...The Skinny platform is one of the ways Starbucks is committed to meeting customers’ desire for healthier options in 2008." (Read the Starbucks news release)

Comments

[smalrus]

i know a lot of people will be happy about this... my girlfriend for one. as a weight watchers person, she's always looking for something low cal, and though the option was always there, asking for a "tall skinny vanilla latte" is a lot easier than a "tall sugar-free vanilla non-fat no-whip vanilla latte."

marketing ploy? yes, but a lot of you guys work there, shouldn't it make it easier for the customers who can't figure out the menu?

Except that Vanilla lattes don't come with whipped cream.

Yes, it *should* make things easier, but 99% of people that will order it that way will probably still change some modifier, like on a drink that DOES come with whip, they'll still want it even with non-fat milk. So then if we make it using the Skinny guidelines, they'll get pissed that there's no whip. So in reality, we'll still have to ask everyone, for our own sanity's sake, 'so no whip on that?' I don't really see it saving any time at all.

I really feel like that's very socially dangerous terminology to use and market. That's saying 'Skinny is good! Skinny is healthy!' With eating disorders on the rise, that's just not a good idea. It might seem like a little thing, but a company as larger and influential as Starbucks branding 'skinny' as a positive word is very unhealthy and socially irresponsible. Or am I overreacting?

[Hirayuki]

It's not like we haven't been able to order the exact same products for as long as all the ingredients have been around. It's just a new name, not a new way to "meet customers' desires for healthier options".

But I guess if you don't know the menu...bah, stick to a drip coffee. No calories, no fat, no WW points.

[deus]

I think skinny being a positive reference has been enforced and reinforced enough that Starbucks calling something skinny or not isn't going to make much of a difference.

As for calls of "social responsibility" until I see people concerned and active about things like stores selling thongs and panties with "juicy" and "cherry" to eight year olds, I'm just not gonna be so concerned over a coffee shop and how it names it's drinks. Priorities and all that

[Chel_NY]

hmm. well, other mom-n-pop coffee shops already use "skinny" lingo if you order something non-fat. so, to me it seems like jumping on a bandwagon. i personally don't consider the terminology dangerous, just kinda silly. but there's bound to be someone who is offended.

however, i'm still going to order my lattes and mochas with non-fat milk, but never with sugar-free syrup. (ick.) so, there will always be people those of us who are "high maintenance" and want something different.

[daibeticsbuxaddict]

Personally I love that sbux continues to introduce more SF options... as a diabetic this makes it nice when I want a little something in my brewed coffee or Americano.

I do dislike the skinny terminology though... for those of us who are watching our carb intake for a disease, I don't like that they are aiming it at those who think they are making a dieting decision rather than just a I really don't need all that sugar. Do we really need to call it something other than what it really is? Seems like a waste of marketing dollars to me.

[MusicGal]

I just don't see how it's going to catch on... I mean, it's going to confuse the new customers or those who only come in once in a while, and the "true blue" customers usually just like saying their drink the way they always do. It's not gonna fly.

[okiedokie]

I would rather they work on eliminating the transfat in their pastries and announcing that. Maybe even work on partnerships for fresh donut and pastry deliveries rather than frozen yucky junk.

Keep introducing more sugar free options but I see no need to add a marketing angle to it other than announcing Starbucks continues to add more sugar free options.

[Anonymous]

dumbest thing ever... absolutely the dumbest thing and will have no real effect on business.

the company is run by idiots now I guess...

[whoRUkidding]

From the news release “Milk is a nutrient-rich food that provides nine essential nutrients. Research shows milk drinkers have an overall healthier diet, with higher intakes of calcium and other important nutrients compared to non-milk drinkers,” said Ann Marie Krautheim, registered dietitian and spokesperson with the National Dairy Council. “With two out of three Americans failing to meet their daily calcium recommendations, ordering a Caffè Latte or Caffè Mocha and asking for it ‘skinny’ helps you save about 100 calories while getting one of the recommended three servings of dairy needed daily.”
~~~~~~~~~
I love the spin that this is a health drink! Hmmmn. Obviously someone has ignored the studies that caffeine INHIBITS the body's ability to absorb calcium.

I care about my bones too much to rely on *$ to be my daily source of dairy.

[Scriblerus]

It's not going to matter, as Musicgal pointed out. Regulars are likely going to ignore it, and it'll just confuse the n00bs.
Moreover, how do you all feel about the other thing we're launching, the customer-of-the-week thing?

[SSpiffy]

Drink your coffee the way the Gods intended, Black and Hot.

All these wussy drinks - BAH!

[Poppy]

Deus wrote: ...until I see people concerned and active about things like stores selling thongs and panties with "juicy" and "cherry" to eight year olds, I'm just not gonna be so concerned over a coffee shop...

I guess you're right. If the rest of society falls into a morass of cultural repugnancy, then it must be okay that Starbucks does so, too.

I love how the headline of the press release implies that "SKINNY" equals "FEELING GREAT."

My apologies to those of you (actually 2/3 of the US population) who are overweight. You must all feel like losers right about now.

Way to go, Starbucks.

Great to see that SBUX stock is down 2.5% today on the news.

[RD]

I think the "Skinny" drinks will taste like crap. I'll just stick to Starbucks coffee or consider getting soy lattes instead.

[Thomas]

This is good because I do trend chubby.

[Kathi Vieser Bianco, author of Everybody Lies]

Speaking as one of the 2/3 of Americans who aren't "skinny," I'm not insulted, but the use of the word "skinny" sounds very retro, like a harkening back to the '70s...wasn't "skinny" part of the title of the artificial sweetener in the movie "9 to 5"?

[seventysix [76]]

Moreover, how do you all feel about the other thing we're launching, the customer-of-the-week thing?

In my store, I'm the only one that keeps up with visual presentation standards (Freshly Brewed signage, Verismo magnetic chalkboard signage, Daily Offerings, etc.). Considering I'll be going back to school the week this promo starts (I go to school an hour away from my home/store and come back once every few weekends to work and see family), I can't see it being kept up at my store, sadly.

I would like to see it happen, though, and I think it's a great idea!

[Stacy]

I think one thing we can all agree on with all this skinny crap is this--

WORST IDEA EVER! (Actually it probably ties with warming stations)

[lux]

I hate the taste of all those sugar substitutes. I'll stay with my standard order, a grande non-fat no-whip mocha. Except now with that order, I'll probably be given the wrong mocha syrup and have to get the drink remade.

[Stacy]

Lux just brought up an interesting point that I haven't really seen addressed yet. If I walk in my store and order a nonfat, no-whip mocha, one the baristas thinks I mean sugar-free, and I take a sip of my drink, I can tell you what's going to happen-- everything that's in my stomach will end up on the floor. Anything that has a strong Splenda taste makes my stomach churn.

There is going to be a crapton of drink remaking going on because of the changing of the lingo.

[DisgruntledBarista]

As someone who already drinks nonfat, sugarfree beverages I can say that this particular promotion has got to be the biggest waste of time yet. Those wanting nonfat, sugarfree drink options probably are already aware of what Starbucks has to offer or they know how to go about finding out about them. (how hard is it to just ask after all?)

It'll be nothing new, on the other hand to customers who prefer 2% or whole and sugary syrups. I highly doubt a habitual white mocha drinker is going to go for the concept of a sugar free syrup in it's place.

And as for the sugar free mocha- I'm normally a fan of our sugar free syrups and I normally find them to be decent approximations of the regular version but what HAPPENED here? It doesn't even remotely resemble the flavor of chocolate! Seriously, how did this even get past the intial testing phases let alone into stores- biggest Starbucks syrup mistake to DATE.

[Ken]

The term "skinny" to refer to something low fat is not an invention of Starbucks, or even coffee shops for that matter. It is accually old diner lingo. Diners have thier own terms for a lot of things, much like starbucks does, and the term skinny was used to describe anything that was low fat, or none fat. The term has been around for 50+ plus years. We shouldn't be upset that Starbucks has decided to use it.

[JSMorley]

So are we going to start calling a Venti 6 pump Breve extra whip White Mocha a "Fatty Mocha"? The whole "skinny" thing is just stupid and announcing to the whole cafe that a customer is ordering a "skinny" drink only risks embarrassing them and alienating customers ordering other drinks. We won't be using it at our store.

[MetroPlexPerson]

KATHI VIESER BIANCO: Yes, the sweetener in "9 to 5" was Skinny 'n Sweet.

[seventysix [76]]

"So are we going to start calling a Venti 6 pump Breve extra whip White Mocha a "Fatty Mocha"?"

No silly, that'd be a Fatty White Mocha!

For real though. Skinny is now in the books and according to the workbook correction that was sent with the mailpack, drinks are to be called as Skinny as well. I may not agree with it, but it's a part of my job. Who's to say this will last forever?

Time will tell.

Best,
seventysix [76]

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

First, of all dairy products are not that healthy. Many dairy products use artificial growth hormones or other means that are highly questionable. Hasn't anybody ever heard of mad cow disease. They got it from eating other cows because cows were mixed into their feed. Also, non-fat milk is also higher in sugar, than whole and breve. This is very bad since sugar inhibits the immune system and can be converted into fat.
I should point out that other than humans, no other species continues to drink milk after infancy. Why humans continue to drink milk is beyond me.
Grande non-fat latte= 18g of sugar
Grande skinny cinnamon dolce latte= 18g of sugar
Grande soy sugar-free no whip cinnamon dolce latte= 17g of sugar
Finally, having a low calorie and low-fat beverage seems relatively meaningless, unless a person combined it with an overall healthy lifestyle that includes physical exercise. Having all the skinny drinks in the world will not help your cardiovascular system maintain a healthy state. Physical fitness is the result of a combination of a good diet and exercise. Walking or running for even 20 minutes a day, 3 times a week will greatly improve your fitness.

BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL
PRIMUS INTER PARES
STARBUCKS REBEL ALLIANCE
AIM SN: BOSTONSTARREBEL

[Sbuxboy]

A zero-sum gain, and a severe lack of creativity from those in R&D and marketing. If this is the best they can do this company is in serious trouble.

Time to stop my SIP contribution!

Oh, and how many partners have cringed at the sight of a new partner writing VL for vanilla latte in the box. SKVL couldn't be good for training.

[Nick]

!GOSH! most folks are so afraid of change! If you are truly THAT dissatisfied with the products we are serving, then please find another job. If you want ultimate job satisfaction, sell a product that you love and are proud of. If Starbucks sugar-free syrups and breakfast sandwiches and merchandise ain't it, find another company and product. *SIGH*

[Mia]

I know of several employees in my area who dislike the whole new "skinny" drink line. It is plain and simple not a good idea. And as it has already been mentioned, there are some of us out there who can not tolerate anything with artificial sweetener in it. I don't think this will be a campaign that will last. Plus the term "skinny" can have negative connotations to it.

[Darleen]

dumbest thing ever... absolutely the dumbest thing and will have no real effect on business.

the company is run by idiots now I guess...

Now anonymous, if you know me at all you know I'm gonna jump on this one. :) What about dealing with ambiguity? What is wrong with this company implementing new drink concepts? I agree whole heartedly with daibeticsbuxaddict. If someone still wants to enjoy one of our beverages but with less sugar or perhaps no sugar, why should we not give them an option? Everyone should be able to experience our beverages, and now even people who maybe couldn't due to health reasons can do just that. This company is not run by idiots. I agree, I sometimes wonder about the marketing of some things as well,(Chantico anyone?) but to make such a negative statement is a bit much just because you may disagree with a promotion they roll out. Just my opinion.

As always, 76 just rolls right with it. Gotta tell ya, I am way impressed with your ability to handle change, and even embrace it. You are what will make the transition easy for your customers. Oh yeah, and you get an online "BE KNOWLEDEABLE" card for the white mocha thing LOL

[Darleen]

If I walk in my store and order a nonfat, no-whip mocha, one the baristas thinks I mean sugar-free, and I take a sip of my drink, I can tell you what's going to happen-- everything that's in my stomach will end up on the floor.

Stacy, I don't think the baristas are that inept that they will assume you want SF if you do not order SF. If someone wants a NF VL would you assume they want SFV? I think some of you are blowing this a bit out of proportion. It ain't rocket science we'll all adapt, just another new day.

[Darleen]

A zero-sum gain, and a severe lack of creativity from those in R&D and marketing. If this is the best they can do this company is in serious trouble.

Time to stop my SIP contribution!

Wow, just wow...

[Stacy]

So you really think that after all the assuming barista's have done already (oh you think I'll like foam on mocha or no water in my chai??), that there isn't going to be a "skinny" mix up? Or that the customers who already use the term skinny to mean nonfat only are going to be pissed when they take a sip of their disgusting sugar-free drink?

Even without this crappy marketing, we've all accidentally heard mocha instead of white mocha or whatever else it might be. It's not a question of ineptitude. It's more or less confusion-- made by corporate because they think they are simplifying things when they're not.

[Darleen]

Or that the customers who already use the term skinny to mean nonfat only are going to be pissed when they take a sip of their disgusting sugar-free drink?

No, I'm sure if they get the wrong drink they will be upset, no doubt. What I'm saying is baristas will have to inform customers what the term SKINNY now means for awhile, there will have to be some communication at first but it will become the norm after awhile.

[Equal Aming Equals]

Although I'm not entirely sold on this, I can see some of the benefit of it. Corporate is trying to build repeat customers (ie: this drink isn't that bad, you can actually have two!) and build new traffic by bringing people who otherwise weren't Starbucks customers for health reasons into (or back into) the store. It's actually a smart way of reaching out to the non-customer or the customer who doesn't pay attention to all the new developments.
Frankly, I think having a consolidated term for SF, N, -W, actually makes sense, and cuts down on the confusion. Realistically we need to be honest about the # of customers that order their drink this way, and if the drink is NOT called as "skinny" it means the drink has at least some exception to the SK recipe. It's not as if we're gonna start making all N -W drinks as SK. Do you do that now? Why would you start?
Also, think of how many customers don't know that their drink is available sugar free, or that it comes with whip. Making these options clear to our customers is what starbucks is totally about.

Sorry for rambling, but one last comment - Don't you think that a better marking of this drink would be SK in the custom box and the syrup in the Syrup box?

[Vicki Verona]

Just want to point out that although many of us who are passionate enough about the company to care to post here know that the company needs to really reinvent itself in the wake of the shaky macro economic climate, the company knows it needs to as well.

The company theme for this year is "Changing the Game." It started with Cash Handling Simplification (which I absolutely love) and Customer Voice (which I think has a lot of potential but will undergo some tweaking as they evaluate it more)

Due to confidentiality, I can't get into the system wide initiatives the company is implementing in the next 2 years, but I know the field leadership team going all the way across to ASM are going to love it.

Fear not fellow partners, the company has a plan for change. In the mean time, we must remember not to stray away from the plan that has been set from day 1....our guiding principles, mission statement, and core purpose. Let us reach into the depths of our hearts and really connect with every customer. Let us show everyone that all of the marketing and product innovation money in the world couldn't duplicate the Starbucks Legendary Experience.....

[Darleen]

Fear not fellow partners, the company has a plan for change. In the mean time, we must remember not to stray away from the plan that has been set from day 1....our guiding principles, mission statement, and core purpose.

Oh my! I think the clouds just parted and trumpets were blaring!! Woo-Hoo

[jabanga]

"Great to see that SBUX stock is down 2.5% today on the news"

no, that wasn't the news. it was just the passage of another day.

[chitown's best/angriest barista]

dumbest f-ing idea ever!!! really! what idiot got paid to think this up? pretty sure that money would have been better spent upgrading my store, or upgrading our paychecks.
i have not spent all of my time at the bux trying to get people to correctly order their drinks (not "skim" but "non-fat" "yes, you do need to tell me you want whip on a caramel macchiato, because they normally do not come with it." etc.) to now have them introduce this crackpot idea and throw everything off! i also think "k" is one of the crassest ugly-looking letters ever and i don't like seeing it scribbled all over my nicely marked cups. not to mention i'm still trying to get my customers to look at the cups and read the markings themselves, so throw some foreign looking crap in there and i'm gonna be getting even more dumbfounded gawkers.
anyone else thinks that the influx of "s" will also cause some confusion with soy or not? this is why we don't say skim, because skim and soy both begin with "s" and when you're in a rush you want everything as clear and spelled out as possible to reduce the chances for mistakes. (hence the ALWAYS asking if there's whip on non-fat or soy drinks.)
and as others have already said, using the word "skinny" has some pretty deep connotations, and i don't think that's an area we should be getting ourselves entangled in.
even my previous SM thinks the idea is stupid, and it says something if management isn't joyfully jumping on the bandwagon.
and sugar-free mocha tastes like crap anyway. i finally tried it today and i could only finish about a third of my tall before i gave up any hope of getting my caffeine intake from that drink.
and that was a rather long rant. sorry.

[Javaccino]

I can see the appeal: If a new customer wants his/her flavored latte as low-cal as possible, just having them say "skinny" seems like a good idea. We'll know how to make it.

on the downside: I was under the impression that we were to call and mark the same way we always had. I'm disappointed to learn that this is not the case. As a customer, having a long line of modifiers etched down the side of the cup has it's snob appeal. As a parter, I have just gotten to the point where I thought that I was fluent in Starbucks Cuneiform.

I'm waiting for the first time I have to say to a baffled customer "Sorry, you can't your drink 'skinny' because there is no sugar-free toffee nut".

[Javaccino]

Off topic:
I had a customer today who wanted a a solo long-shot espresso macchiato, which apparently she regularly orders in Canada. I was disappointed to have to tell her that we couldn't figure out how to make mister Verismo pull a lungo. I guess I could have made it a 1 1/2 shot, but it just wouldn't be the same, would it?

[BURRISTA]

Re: Solo Long Espresso

For those, I usually pull a Doppio Long shot and only put the cup underneath one of the spouts, letting the other half of the shot drain.

[Javaccino]

Re: Solo Long Espresso

For those, I usually pull a Doppio Long shot and only put the cup underneath one of the spouts, letting the other half of the shot drain.

OK. How do you do a doppio long-shot. Specifically can you trick a Verismo into putting more than 1 oz of H2O into a shot?

Thats so wierd!
We have long buttons on all the machines. All of the tea buttons have been reprogrammed to make long shots. Still nothing like the LaMarzocco days tho.

[Stacy]

"What I'm saying is baristas will have to inform customers what the term SKINNY now means for awhile, there will have to be some communication at first but it will become the norm after awhile."

I get what you're saying Darleen. I do. But it's already been proven, just by the small sample on this board, that not all baristas care enough to educate our customers. This is where the problem really en lies. Corporate seems to be naive enough to believe that all their employees actually care about the mission statement and guiding principles. So instead of focusing on things they really need to focus on, they are spending their time coming up with nasty so-called healthier options and trying to change the lingo that customers already spent enough time learning.

[Pat Nerr]

Darleen... I gotta wonder why folks are calling it "new". It's not... I liken this to Zune. Starbucks is trying to create something that no one has asked for. Chalk it up as another Chantico/Mazagran/JOE mag in the making

[chitown's best/angriest barista]

communicating this for a while? really?!
i'm STILL communicating that: no, we no longer carry valencia or regular cinnamon, dulce de leche was only a promotional offering and i swear we are not hiding any in the back, we do not have non-fat soy milk or non-fat organic and no, we never have nor ever will, yes a cappoccuino really is supposed to be light and foamy and i am not trying to cheat you out of milk, non-fat mochas and such do come with whipped cream unless you tell me otherwise, iced tea/coffee comes sweetened unless you tell me otherwise, etc. i do this 600 times a day, it gets old after a (little) while.
please, corporate monekys, if you're paying attention, please don't make me communicate any more things to the customers who doubt i have any communication skills at all. it just makes my allready frustrating job even more difficult.

[chitownnsideshift]

Ewwwww... artificial sweeteners are mad gross... and probably cancerous... You can't get something for nothing... enjoy the real thing, only in moderation. Good advice for everything... one really good thing that Sbux came out with recently that would help the company so much has already fallen on the wayside... the new acronym C.O.S.T. Cleanliness. Order accuracy. Speed of service. Temperature of beverage. Keeping the store clean, giving the customer what they want, doing it in timely manner and serving it at the correct temperature... gets ppl. back in the door time and time again and keeps them happy and telling others... such a great concept that we heard about during the holiday cheer parties... and haven't heard much about since... thoughts?

[Justin]

Calm down. Dunkin Donuts did a similar thing last year - Latte lights - as a way to market the amount of calories and fat in a latte made with non fat milk and splenda. Of course one could always have just ordered a latte made with non fat milk and splenda but this was a way to highlight healthier options. I can't believe everyone is freaking out over this. Worrying that the term skinny will offend people? Only in America would this keep you up and worried. Get over it and make some drinks and adapt. You can always quit if its that horrid to have to take an order for a skinny drink.

[Nicole]

I support this new campaign. People DON'T have to buy into the new SKINNY drinks. But now the option is highlighed and people have a reminder.

Yay! For SKINNY drinks

[Nicole]

I support this new campaign. People DON'T have to buy into the new SKINNY drinks. But now the option is highlighed and people have a reminder.

Yay! For SKINNY drinks

[Bladerunner]

Dear Starbucks.
Why does my Kool-Aid taste like SF Mocha splenda pooh?! Did anyone with taste buds test this product? No wonder our company is floundering, and our stock options worthless.

[STEVEBMD]

"Worrying that the term skinny will offend people? Only in America would this keep you up and worried. Get over it and make some drinks and adapt."

Justin, after you've suffered with an eating disorder for 15 years, or have spent more than half of your life obese, come back and tell us what "skinny" means to you.

[asmgirl]

OK, I readily admit to being one of those people for whom change is uncomfortable. I can't personally say yet whether the skinny nomenclature is or isn't a good idea, however, I do like the fact that all of our coding in drink boxes makes sense. The changes in the marking for drinks so that they are now skinny instead of nonfat and sugar free doesn't make a lot of sense. Of course, it is still in the theoretical stage, and I will reserve most of my judgement for how it turns out in actuality, but right now I feel like making the Scooby Doo puzzled aroo sound.

[Elizabeth]

you guys complain about all the people loading up on calorie-laden drinks at Starbucks... why not applaud SBUX for trying to encourage people to drink less calorific drinks...

?

[Pat Nerr]

Hey folks in favor of less calories and fat. Why not have a regular cup of coffee or an Americano or god forbid, an espresso?? I think Starbucks stil sells those if you have a weight problem.

Calling something skinny and then developing some half-fast sugar-free syrups that don't cut the Starbucks mustard in flavor is not the way to get back on track as a company.

The problem is not what the company offers, it's how much YOU'RE drinking. That's your problem... Starbucks problem is that once again they're putting yet another shade of lipstick on the pig... and packaging that with a buzz word to get customers back in the stores...

[oliversash]

Does this remind anyone else of when they tried to get us all to say "frappuccino iced blended coffee" or whatever the hell that was. You take something that's absolutely fine, there's no problem with it it at all (beverage calling) and make it too difficult to succeed. The truly sad part is, is that a team sat in a meeting room and all thought this was the next great idea, they probably high fived or something. I need to dust off my jump to conclusions board.

[Pat Nerr]

Oliver... all of the Jump to Conclusions boards and TPS reports can be found in the 6th floor lactation room at the SSC.

[oliversash]

nice.

[Ban]

Well I see the marketing idea behind this. Fat people do tend to get even fatter during the holidays and then swear to lose weight (but subsequently get fatter still), and this "Skinny" marketing should keep the moolah flowing into the company for Q1 '08.

But the whole "skinny" thing meaning nonfat, no whip, and sugar free. That will just wind up being confusing and time consuming for the Barista behind the counter. Dumb dumb and dumb.

[UPod]

I'm sorry, but the whole "skinny" thing just sounds a little too - sorry, but I'm going to say it - gay to me.

I'll stick with the way I currently place my order: "I'd like a tall *fat free* latte please" versus "I'd like to order a tall skinny latte".

Stupid Stupid Stupid.

[UPod]

It sounds like your placing an order for a mail order bride or something

"Hello, I'd like to order a double tall skinny blonde"

[Justin]

I have been overweight almost all of my life and obese for most of it so umm yes I am still not offended by the word skinny. I will just keep ordering my iced coffee with soy milk and splenda anyway, but my point is get over it.

[Melody]

I just think it is an unnecessary change. How much confusion is that going to create? If you say you want a non-fat no whip mocha, you're actually being a lot more clear than saying you want a "skinny" mocha.

Seems very unnecessary to me.

[Darleen]

Darleen... I gotta wonder why folks are calling it "new". It's not... I liken this to Zune. Starbucks is trying to create something that no one has asked for. Chalk it up as another Chantico/Mazagran/JOE mag in the making

Patt, please don't remind me. I think I just got that taste out of my mouth. LOL. Mazagran, gotta love it!

[N]

The term "skinny" is used for specific drinks with specific modifiers. If any of those modifiers are changed, the drink is no longer "skinny." Each of these "skinny" drinks has its own button on the register and will be tracked for sales. Yes, it's going to take a lot of communication and patience in educating ourselves and our customers on what this "new" term now means. Yes, we will have to make the determination of when to ring modifiers separately if any one of those modifiers are changed and, yes, that's a pain in the kazoo. Yes, the "new" sugar-free mocha syrup is disappointing in terms of taste and what it is... a bottled syrup akin to SFV, etc... versus something like the white chocolate mocha. I haven't met anyone (including baristas) who actually like the taste (we've sampled it) but it is amazing how many people are looking forward to being able to order a sugar-free mocha. I'm thinking this will be the biggest determing factor of how successful the sugar-free mocha, non-fat, no-whip, mocha latte's will be. The other "skinny" drinks will be much more popular, in my opinion, as the sugar-free syrups taste pretty good, by comparisons, and customers have been ordering and asking for more variety of sugar-free for some time. Yes, according to the job aid, these drinks come with foam. Change is difficult and this marketing promotion is in-line with New Year-New You types of resolutions. I propose that we all resolve to involve ourselves, be knowledgeable, welcome the promotion, support our company/each other, sample the hell out of it in order to educate our customers about the "new" taste of sugar-free mocha, continue to provide our input (whether you think it gets listened to, or not, 'cause 9 gazillion baristas can't be wrong, right?), and let the customers speak with their $$ and opinions. In other words, it's here, it's queer, however; do not judge lest we all be judged for our own personal choices. I mean, really, I don't care for Frapuccinos but do you think I tell the customer that? Heck no! I find something positive to say and let them make the choice 'cause it's theirs to make! Personally, I'm not thrilled with the term "skinny" because it does seem like old nomenclature (circa 1996, at least) but, what the heck, out with the old and in with the "new" 'cause "skinny" just ain't "skinny" unless you've got all the components. Otherwise, it's just a tall, sugar-free mocha, non-fat, with whip, mocha latte'! No biggie. Give 'em what they want and if they don't want it, they won't order it. Just prepare yourselves for the in-between educational process. It's like anything else we do... and when we do it well, it most certainly can be legendary. Let's focus on that, shall we?

I hope everyone has a Happy and Safe New Year!
:)

[ex-sbuxmanager]

I don't know why people are getting all upset about calling the new promotion "skinny". I mean, no one got upset when The Gap came out with "skinny jeans".

It's nice to see Starbucks drawing attention to the lighter fare that they offer, but to me, this is merely lip service. Until they come out with some good tasting low sugar food, I'll think the same.

[Sarah]

seems like i am the only person in here that thinks the skinny thing is a good idea!!!

p.s..... i've been with starbucks for 3 years and nobody has ever asked me for a "long shot" --- i wasn't even sure what it was til i read this site... can someone tell me about it?

[Javaccino]

"p.s..... i've been with starbucks for 3 years and nobody has ever asked me for a "long shot" --- i wasn't even sure what it was til i read this site... can someone tell me about it?"

From what I understand, if you are doing your espressos old-school, you can change the grind so that it takes the same amount of coffee, same brew time, but, different amounts of water to get a more or less correct tasting shot. So you have a short (ristrezzo, I'm certain this is spelled wrong) shot (1 oz or less), normal shot 1-1.5 oz, or long (lungo) shot 1.5-2 oz.
It seems some autos have long shot buttons, but the buttons on the machines in my store are restricted to single, double, decaf single, decaf double, and half-caf double.

[seventysix [76]]

N - Your enthusiasm and zest for your customers is refreshing! There will only be buttons for the SKM and SKCDL, though. The other skinny beverages will be rung as a latte + the requested SF syrup. But please keep up this enthusiasm! It is a breath of fresh air on this forum.

Javaccino - You are right, you did spell it wrong, a ristretto is a shorter shot of espresso.

As we all prepare for Winter 1 and the Skinny Platform, I wish you the best and a happy new year. I started drawing little bottles of champagne on cups. :)

seventysix [76]

[N]

Hey 76! :)

True that about the register buttons. What I should have said was that two of them will have buttons and they will all be called as "skinny" which is a change from the original instruction.

I'm only six months with the company (but over twelve years with Starbucks products) and am having a great time with people and coffee. It is what you make it, eh?

:)

[chitown's best/angriest barista]

so i still think "SKVL" is quite possibly the ugliest cup marking possible, it makes me cringe every time i see it, but whatever.
and i still can't make myself say "skinny" because of the connotations it has with me and my personal history...

ready for the trainwreck?
i had a woman today order a "skinny peppermint mocha" so i asked her if she wanted the sugar free mocha, and she said yes, but she still wanted whip on it, so i had to try to explain ot her that her drink is not really called skinny then, because it means "non fat, no whip and sugar free" (also the whole lack of sugar-free peppermint creates a problem) and she just sort of stared at me like i just i asked for her order in chinese. and my customers are rather smart people, since i work at a hospital serving lots of doctors and nurses. i also had someone order a real skinny mocha and return it because she said the syrup was awful. and sadly, the 3 baristas on the floor had to agree and appologize and give her a different (not so awful) drink.
yay!

[seventysix [76]]

N,

I've been with the company almost 8 months. Glad to hear you're having fun! That's definitely part of the job.

Best,
seventysix [76]

I don't think we're supposed to serve sugar free mocha to customers yet as the promotion has not launched.

my SM had us do samples of the SFM to customers this morning, so i was under the impression that we're able to sell it now.

[Buck Star]

The "skinny" promotion is cool, and is timed very well to be included into all those new years resolutions people end up breaking after a month. But hey, at least Starbucks can get some cash out of their hands before their pocketbooks get "skinny" also.

What is not cool is how the sugar free mocha tastes! Who ever approved this for promotion should lose their job. I would lose mine for doing something half as stupid! Come on people! The cocoa bean yields so many opportunities for rich beautiful flavor. A tall sugar free mocha doesn't even taste like chocolate! I got some licorice notes and even something reminiscent of root beer or sasparilla? What the hell? No doubt it will sell well; and it will be available year round for the rest of eternity, but does it change the game? And does it change it for the better? It is like adding a touchdown dance competition in the NFL. Just because people want it doesn't mean that it will be good.
Re: SFM sampling. Isn't it pointless to sample something that you don't have available for purchase that very instant?

[Scriblerus]

Rebel, sweetie, you can't get Mad Cow from milk--you can only get it through ingesting nerve tissue, which milk does not contain. So that point is moot.
Moreover, even though I agree that the skinny platform is silly and meaningless, it's better to drink a skinny latte than let's say a whole milk white mocha. Even if they aren't exercising, fewer calories will at least prevent their weight from skyrocketing. It will still likely go up, but be a little easier on the scale.
Sugar is less important as far as I know than actual calories, so non-fat is a little better than other options.

Cheers!
Scriblerus

...please, corporate monekys, if you're paying attention, please don't make me communicate any more things to the customers who doubt i have any communication skills at all. it just makes my allready frustrating job even more difficult.

I agree please put the items in a drink back on the menu like you used to. It used to say under mocha it had espresso, milk, mocha and whip cream in it. Under Cappuccino, espresso 1/2 milk 1/2 foam. etc.

the new skinny idea sounds good to me. It makes our job easier. It's less time to write on the cup easiser to remember if your not able to write it immediately, and alot easier to make and hand out. No time needed to add whip and other toppings needed. When you call it out its plain simple and the customers name is more noticed. It should make you happy that they are trying to make the over done system of complicated cup reading to prepare and then call out easier. Anything you people can complain about you do!!!

[Slyvella]

A lot of potential customers skip sbux because they have several wrong impressions. That a simple cup of coffee costs $3.50. And that all the other drinks are fancy and full of calories. Think about it, how much have non-fat lattes been marketed? It's all about the seasonal drinks, which are frequently full of sugar and fat. At least the skinny idea (hate the word, but admit it's been around longer than sbux) will make a point with non-customers and maybe get them in the store.

[canadarules]

This seems to be a really hot topic....I am happy to see so many people passionate about what they do!

[Bladerunner]

Not one barista at our store can understand how this SF Mocha could of been taste tested on Humans(I have seen 3 spit it out!). Who ever approved it should be fired.

[Stacy]

"my SM had us do samples of the SFM to customers this morning, so i was under the impression that we're able to sell it now."

Definitely not. It should not be sampled or sold prior to January 3rd.

[Stacy]

^^
There isn't even a button for it yet on the POS so why would anyone think they have the go ahead to sell it??

[JdawG]

I don't know about you guys, but I was 14 cups deep in a rush today when I thought, "If these new skinny drinks aren't marked N in the milk box I wouldn't have milk steamed for them in a rush like this" I look down the line see how many of what milk, and steam accordingly... if it isn't marked with a "N" in the milk box there will be no non-fat milk steamed.

Minor, yea, but another little problem with the new roll out. I don't know. We'll see I guess!

And that SFM... it tastes like someone burnt a pack of Equal, put it in some h20 and called it SFM... how hard is it to replace the sugar in the mocha with splenda... really... how hard? Put it in a WM or PS type bottle... and they are done...

I think this rollout will come and go... I do also think the SFM will go with it... not something that will stick around.

[BitchyBarista]

Screw this "skinny" crap...I want a morbidly obese mocha: Venti, 12 pump, heavy whipping cream, extra whipped cream mocha!

[barista D]

76, you're always so nice and give positive feedback! you make me happy!

LOL @ the morbidly obese mocha

[CoffeeNotFastFood]

Why do most of you foolishly believe some corporate miscreants know more about the stores than you, the baristas. The corp losers look at numbers and listen to 'market analysts' instead of knowing how the actual face to face business is run. Good luck to you all. In a year or so, Starbucks will be a McDonald's that sells fattening coffee to go with their fattening fast food.

Well I see the marketing idea behind this. Fat people do tend to get even fatter during the holidays and then swear to lose weight (but subsequently get fatter still),

Nice, stereotype much there Ban? Nice attitude you got there. Is it just fat people you criticize, or everyone in general?

[seventysix [76]]

barista D,

Thank you! I try to always be optimistic and it usually works. It's just coffee, grass is always greeneer, please, pick your cliché.

Basically, I'm happy, you should be happy, let's all get caffeinated and make people happy. The end.

Happy new year!
seventysix [76]

[Daydotter]

Does Cinnamon Dolce Latte still come with Whip? If yes, where does it say so? all of the job aids for CDLs that came in last time it came back in January of 2007 have been thrown away. The BRM hasn't been updated to say anything about whip on CDLs one way or another. How would a NEW partner know unless another barista tells them? Was the "no Toffee Nut latte doesn't come with Whip anymore" communicated well in the past? Because TNLs do NOT come with Whip anymore. But how would I know that? Where is it written?

[seventysix [76]]

Daydotter,

Check the portal's version of the BRM. It's definitely up to date.

Personally, I still put whip, but like you I need to check if this is correct. I'm getting myself into the habit of putting CD in the syrup box and no longer in the drink box, as the drink isn't promotional anymore.

[Too risky to give out]

Forget the "skinny" debate. My husband, a barista in Atlanta, had to move quickly when a customer, who obviously could not deal with his store being out of the Breakfast Blend, threw the bag the shift manager suggested instead right at him (the shift manager). Fortunately, the shift manager was only hit in the arm, not the eye. Instead of "skinny," maybe Starbucks should introduce a "Serotonin" line; certain customers obviously need it.

My store is going to offer the FATASS Latte. We're gonna melt a stick of butter in a cup.

[sarah]

Sucralose is the ingredient used in splenda and in our SF syrups...if anyone's looked into it, they'll know that no legitimate or long-term research has been done on human consumption of this man-made chemical. In rats it created symptoms like aborted pregnancies, swollen livers, and deterioration of the lymph system. It's one thing to carry chemical crap for those that are interested, because many will continue to consume it even when they know how dangerous long term use is (aspartame ring a bell?). It's entirely another to promote it as "healthy" and to jump on the fad bandwagon. I see no good coming from this, other than pissed off baristas that have to learn new cup markings and use different buttons on the pos (and ask all the same modifier questions i.e. "by skinny do you mean sugar-free and nonfat? do you want whip or no?").

[Melody]

I realize this may be a very dumb question (forgive me I'm not a partner, just a customer) but what sugar free syrups are available now, and what's different about what's being added (or not) this early January? I've yet to even try a sugar free drink.

[seventysix [76]]

Hi Melody!

We currently offer Vanilla, Hazelnut, Caramel, Cinnamon Dolce, and Gingerbread in sugar-free. Starting January 3rd, we will offer Sugar-Free Mocha in addition.

[RoBoBarista]

Just keep chanting

"Chantico...Chantico...Chantico"

and this will sink faster than The Titanic.

[D]

Ok... I am a barista and here is the general low down on this "skinny" thing. The employees HATE it!!! People who order it dont know what they are ordering and usually change the recipe or add "fatty" stuff... which makes the idea useless. And the regulars order their drinks the old way anyways... so whats the point? Poeple who know how to order at Starbucks, know what they are ordering and the others dont. Its that simple! People who dont know what they are taking about will always take up more of our time when ordering no matter how easy we make the "lingo"