Starbucks unveils its "+Energy" products in US stores today

The new ingredients can be added to any existing Starbucks handmade beverage by saying "plus energy" at the end of one's order. According to this story, baristas have been trained in how to mix in +Energy, which contains B-vitamins, guarana and ginseng. (Read the Seattle Post-Intelligencer story)

Comments

[Muscle Milk]

I haven't seen anything about combining multiple energy packets in one order. Many of the listed vitamins have 200% of your daily recommended dose. Is there a point where it's considered unsafe lol?

I only ask cause the other day someone ordered an 8 shot iced venti americano topped off with iced coffee instead of water. If someone wants 4 energy packets, am I supposed to say yes??

[COFFEEISLIFE]

I'm not expert, but knowing how strong some of those energy things are, I'd think that's a heart attack waiting to happen!

[Power to the People!]

Starbucks needs to bring back the Power option! In the late 1990s you could add Power to your drinks which added protein to your drink. This was before the Atkins craze and before most were concerned about getting a good amount of protein in their day.

I understand that the energy drink crowd is an appealing market to Starbucks and they they want to compete in that space, but so too is the protein supplement crowd.

Bring back power!

[Lorenzo]

so i was told each little packet is like the same amount of caffeine as 1 energy drink can....

i love the idea having them in frappuccinos b/c those things barely have any caffeine in them. for me anyways.. :)

~lor ♥

[jwilk]

Can any Starbucks Partners tell me if the +Energy drink addition is vegan.
Also is it covered under the freebies for having a registered SB card?

Thanks

[Sarah]

Going off an assumption from the first comment, there are probably some B vitamins in this Energy shot? (and not just caffeine?) Usually in B vitamin energy drinks they put something like 500% of your "daily recommendation" because the body doesn't absorb B's very easily. So, they put in a HECKTON, and your body takes what it can get.
If it contains vitamin C or zinc, in large doses that will cause stomach upset, but you'd just feel sick before anything dangerous happened.

[Sarah]

or, I could've read the above article more carefully and seen that there are B's in it. doh! Sorry about that. :)

[.]

I'm going to get the ingredients list when I work tonight for people who had questions

[magic1]

B vitamins are water soluable so if you take too many at once you just pee them out. (You can tell because your next pee will probably be orange.)

[Sleepy]

We were told that we are NOT allowed to sample out anything with +Energy in it because kids may get it. Also, you are not supposed to have more than one per drink or you'll like...combust or something.

Our boss said "Just say yes, WITH A WARNING!" But I'm probably gonna say Uhh..you definatly shouldn't, and talk them out of it. Cause its kinda say no or let your customer possibly die or something.

And we definatly don't want our customers croaking on us.

[COFFEEISLIFE]

somehow I doubt it would be that dire... or SBUX wouldn't be selling the stuff... however, one of the above posts says the packets have the same caffeine as a can of energy drink... and those have the equivalent to one cup of coffee... so... multiple packets is basically like drinking that many cups of coffee all at once (plus whatever caffeine is already in the drink they're adding it to) not the end of the world for people like me, who generally drink 6 to 7 cups of coffee a day... but for some, it could definitely present a problem...

[bob]

The powder has ginseg, guarana, B vitamins, and maybe a few more things. if you go to the nutrition page at the website you can see that it contains no caffeine (thats already in the drink) but rather just stimulants to work alongside the caffeine. and I would guess that just say yes doesnt apply to this because of the safety risk, but thats not official or anything.

[starbucks is for lovers]

If someone wants 4 energy packets, am I supposed to say yes??

My manager told us that this is the only thing that we are allowed to "Just say NO" to. Customers are limited to one energy packet per drink, and we are not allowed to sell the packets separately. We are also strongly advised not to give energy packets to children under the age of 12.

[*$Barista]

It contains 200% of a few B vitamins. It has Taurine, so it is not vegan. It has ginseng. 80 milligrams of guarana
5 calories
1 carb
I can't remember the rest. The vitamins in it are water soluble in the body, so you're ok.

Sarah, you probably won't get sick if you have between 200-1500% of your daily dose of vitamin C, because it is water soluble as well. You may not feel well,... possibly. Zinc will cause you to feel pretty sick though if you take too much.

[COFFEEISLIFE]

Vitamin C, under no circumstances makes you sick to your stomach... as stated above, it's water soluble so whatever extra your body doesn't need gets disposed of in your urine... what it does, do, however, is make your urine more acidic so if you're consuming too much vitamin c, it may burn a little when you pee...

[Bladerunner]

Yes getting back to the heart of the coffee biz. With energy drinks. More work for understaffed stores to deal with. Squeezing out every last dollar so the DM can get his bonus. Remember that kiddies when your hours are cut, its about the SM and the DM getting their bonuses, not what best for the customers and baristas. So glad I don't have to deal with all this crud anymore.

[Muscle Milk]

I'm confused though since Guarana fruit has 3x the amount of caffeine as coffee beans.

[blade2]

How is an energy drink "getting back to its roots"?

It just feeds the competition's claims that sbux has too many, confusing options and is hoity toity.

[Angie]

Actually, vitamin C in high doses (more than 2,000 mg daily) can cause diarrhea and stomach upset.

[NJ_Barista]

I tried it in a black tea lemonade and it made me feel really light headed and dizzy. I didn't even finish my drink.

[VITAMINESE]

I loved the energy packets in my drinks! I had 2 grande double shots on ice with an energy packet in each this morning, and my shift just blew by! I felt like I was on steroids!

By the way, how many of you have drunk 2-3 Rockstars or Red Bulls in a row? I have before, with no consequences! It may be because I go to the gym 5 times a week and work all this stuff out.

Many real (not fake) nutritionists recommend megadoses of these vitamins daily -- because they are good for you. Heed their advice. These packets are the best thing -- healthier for you than any other fake sweet syrups that you can add to your drinks. Tomorrow, I will try these packets in a hot drink. By the way, the action item from yesterday says that +Energy is good for a Partner Beverage due to many partners' requests.

[sanren79]

totally off topic but I was in Target yesterday & they had the fliers for Carmel Espresso Frap...has my cold or my change of location just made me forget that we are going to offer this, or is this one of those barnes & noble type deals?

[Jake]

SANREN79: I'm not sure I get what your question is. The new promotion started TODAY, so all stores (including Licensed Stores...which are Target Starbucks) would have switched over late last night/early this morning.

[adam]

Bladerunner--

I might agree with you about the energy not really helping to get back to the roots, but neither I or my DM has gotten a bonus in the last year even though my store has been performing well, so don't talk about things you know nothing about. We're not out to get the baristas. If you knew anything about business then you would know that as a manager the best thing you can do for yourself is to take care of the people under you.

[inopethflames]

so is the mint chocolate drink also available in just an iced latte or is it a frappuccino only? id rather get the iced latte version!

[Bushrod]

My local gave me a free venti Iced Doubleshot w/ +Energy. I really love that store!

[Part Nerr]

Yeah! One more nail in the coffin for good ol' sbux. Keep on moving away from coffee and watch the stock pricr dip below 10 by end of summer!

Nice move, Howie!

[Kate]

Overheard in my local Starbucks:
Barista: "Gary put three packets into his drink and got really sick!"

[sbuxnewbie]

I have to agree with coffeeislife. Many people have negative reactions to guarena and taurine. If the person drinking it has any hidden cardiac problems, these substances can induce a myocardial infarction.

I am truly ashamed of my company for selling this stuff, and have no problems at all about telling my customers why the energy powder is NOT for everyone, can have a deleterious effect on their health, and since they are adults, the decision is completely theirs.

[Joe]

bladerunner:Remember that kiddies when your hours are cut, its about the SM and the DM getting their bonuses, not what best for the customers and baristas.

For all those partners who think SMs and DMs get rich off your backs, bonuses are based on the company's operating plan. If enough stores don't hit their operating plan then the company overall suffers. Therefore the company benefits by hitting the plan and, by definition, the SMs and DMs benefit also...and they are held accountable for those results. Ultimately, what benefits the company benefits the customers and baristas.

Im constantly amazed at the myopic view some people insist on adopting just because it fits their agenda.

[a non]

Regarding Joe's comment above

It's a fact. More times than not, regardless if the DM or SM gets bonused at the end of the year or not, the driving factor THROUGHOUT THE YEAR is to bonus.

That means skimping on hours and customer service to save the store cash in payroll.

No one KNOWS how the company will perform when it's all done with (they may have a good idea throughout the year, but hindsight is the ONLY way to truly know for sure)... So, the motivating factor will be to bonus, regardless of the means.

Joe, you're naive to thing otherwise.

Regarding your comment to benefit the customers and baristas: no way. The chief motivation in regards to who benefits by SBUX's business should be customers AND investors concurrently. Spending cash on crappy companies, nasty drink rollouts, poor "revamping" programs (Pike Place roast... really?!) and sending your Home Office teams on expensive trips and not investing it into the stores directly for the benefit of profit and customer experience is irresponsible. Besides, the barista should ONLY benefit after the customers/ investors, executives, and home office employees benefit first.

As for the new drinks...

Yeah, they're pretty sad, considering this is the first real typical seasonal rollout for SBUX since Howard Schultz's new "plan." Mint Mocha Frapps and Shaken Doubleshots?! Really? First, the mint mocha frapp is basically the Christmas drink with a different kind of mint. The shaken doubleshots are just.. gross. It's not a high-caliber drink that customers at SBUX expect. They might as well just go to Safeway, buy a case of Doubleshots and pour them over ice. It's sad.

This is not the company that Howard talked about in March... well, it is, but this is not what he said it would turn into. It's just... well, he can talk the talk but has completely failed to walk the walk.

Pathetic.

[Muscle Milk]

Taurine 500mg
L carnitune 250mg
Panax ginseng root 325mg
Inositol 100mg
Guarana 90mg
B2 170%
Niacin 170%
B6 170%
B12 70%

[Mrs. Tillinghamshackles]

Well, I personally happen to LIKE the shaken doubleshots...

[chi-town's best angry barista]

about the energy packet things:
i had three of them this morning, over the course of a 6 hour shift, mixed in with black/passion tea/lemonades. i hadn't slept much the night before or eaten breakfast, and i felt absolutely nothing from them. in fact, i was still pretty tired when i got home from work, and when i went jogging later in the afternoon i wasn't able to run faster or longer or anything. i think it's more psychological than physical, kind of a placebo effect. but that's just my experience. i'll be opening again tomorrow, so i'm sure i'll down a few more and report back if there's anything interesting.
about the just say yes/no: we haven't said anything about limiting customers at my store, and i don't think we should. it would be like walgreen's limiting people to only buying 1 can of red bull when they sell cases. or mcdonald's saying only one cheeseburger per person. not gonna happen.

[jwilk]

"It has Taurine, so it is not vegan."

Taurine is synthesized. Its not very cost effective to be isolated out of bile ducts.

[smalltownsm]

I've been on leave for awhile now. I thought there were supposed to be new canned double shots with energy in the stores starting today. I stopped in my store today and they didn't have them yet. Anyone know why?

[P.R.I.D.E.]

I have to share that in my previous experience with other companies, yes I observed questionable ethics and integrity by management when it came to cutting corners. But this is 180 degrees from how we operate at Starbucks. We're able to schedule as many baristas as our sales allow. We can staff at 100% with no penalty, and most of us see that by staffing efficiently, our sales benefit (vs. understaffing, which decreases sales opportunities, which decreases profit)

What most baristas fail to realize is that there is a direct correlation between how much the store is earning, and how many staff hours we have to work with.

Plus, don't forget that when I, as a manager, am looking to drive my store's success, I am looking to schedule those who are ready to take the ride. I need the best baristas on register to greet customers. I need the shifts who are still willing to clean up the store, when no one else is watching. I need sunny attitudes, based on customer feedback. And most importantly, I need team players who are willing to work hard, together, for the greater good of the store.

So when you sit back, and cynically claim that all of us are here for the bonus, reflect on if you fit the qualifications above. I am an on-the-floor manager, who is well respected and we have fun most every day at work. I love my partners, but that's not to say that I'm willing to allow mediocrity in my store. That is definitely not me, nor is it Starbucks.

[Geez]

I can see it now- in some city areas, states, etc, we wont be able to close the stores! The customers will be tapping on the windows, wanting, needing and begging for an energy fix!

Is starbucks hooking kids?

[Me]

I think the freshly shaken double shots are awesome. We did a side by side tasting with the canned ones and they suck compared to the fresh ones. I think this is a good promo drink and a lot of people will like it. Same with the mint chocolaty chip frappuccino. This used to be a customers favorite and now is back after a lot of demand. What is wrong with this?
Of course it is not a promo drink for solo espresso or hard core french roast in a french press black not even roasted a day before yesterday drinkers. But the promo drinks just aren't designed for them. That's where the promo BEANS come into the game.
And of course you can't make it right for everyone with the 10% Kona either.

And honestly, I think the majority of people, including myself, can handle a two or even (gasp) six week old coffee, as long as it was in a flavor lock or something similar. It is more important you don't keep your coffee for much longer after you ground it up. And just make sure you close your bag tightly after using some beans.

Of course this doesn't satisfy the real coffee geeks out there, but honestly, they have their places where they go and wouldn't want to be caught dead in a Starbucks anyway.

Just my two (canadian) cents.

[Kittymoose]

Aren't the bullets we get of Pike Place flavor locked? I'm pretty sure they are, so that freshness isn't really an issue. We scoop them fresh every day, so you're getting a fresh bag of coffee. (Or as fresh as Starbucks can do anyways)

[smokey]

PRIDE - awsome post! i totally agree with everything you said. i wish there were more dedicated managers like you. for the most part i have had great, caring managers who insist on standards etc. and who really want their partners to have FUN the minute they put on their green/black apron. i truly believe a partners motivation to do their best and give legendary service to each and every customer comes from the top=manager. a manager who is on the FLOOR and not doing endless hours of computer work ?? partners; remember lead by example, stay passionate and enthusiastic. now go out and make someone's day !!

[LEGENDARY OR BUST]

PIRDE -- I join SMOKEY in the sentiment. I agree and understand what you said regarding scheduling. It really shows you have the grasp of the dynamics of the system.

Regarding Double Shots: I think that the Classic to Shots ratio as well as the amount of Milk/Cream can impact the taste A LOT. I experimented with adding slightly more or less and am still working on finding my perfect ratio (for my personal drink).

[itsnotamermaid]

as to the +Energy packets: anyone else see the coffee based monsters and rock stars that just started showing up in grocery stores about 3 weeks ago? which came first is anyone's guess but it makes more sense then a lot things sbux has doen in past. i wonder how a taste test would be...

[itsnotamermaid]

as to the +Energy packets: anyone else see the coffee based monsters and rock stars that just started showing up in grocery stores about 3 weeks ago? which came first is anyone's guess but it makes more sense then a lot things sbux has doen in past. i wonder how a taste test would be...

[a non]

Aren't the bullets we get of Pike Place flavor locked? I'm pretty sure they are, so that freshness isn't really an issue. We scoop them fresh every day, so you're getting a fresh bag of coffee. (Or as fresh as Starbucks can do anyways)

Posted by: Kittymoose | May 13, 2008 8:04:58 PM

FLAVORLOCK DOES NOT EQUAL FRESHNESS!

Only roasting it same-day equals freshness. Just because SBUX can't (due to whatever pathetic excuse they have) deliver fresh beans in a timely manner does not make it okay!

Is it okay that because Walmart is so big, it can treat its employees like crap? "Oh, it's fine! We're just too big to pay our people decently and treat them like humans! If only we were smaller... oh, well!"

[scared]

I don't even want to know what a 'bullet' is.

IMHO, coffee beans go from the roaster to the bin to the grinder to the machine, all in the same day. If you've had a cup of this phantom coffee, you'd never go back.

[RoastYourself]

Dear A NON:

Just how do you expect to freshly roast coffee for 4,400+ stores in North America?

Of course smaller shops can roast same day and good for them. Even though I work for Starbucks, I love good coffee and to me it doesn't matter where I get it.

Having said that, it is unreasonable for anyone to expect we can deliver that kind of output based on who we are. Regardless, we take great care in roasting and sourcing so while it may not be delivered to the stores the same day it is roasted, I can guarantee you the coffee tastes great when you open it up and grind it right before you brew it.

[SanAntonioSonofCoffee]

I reviewed the "+Energy" additive on my blog and I was actually pleased with the results...

http://theburkholders.blogspot.com/2008/05/energy.html

[Nerfebarista]

Actually Scared,

You would ideally wait atleast a week after roasting before brewing to release some of the excess gasses, but that's only if you know what you are doing. I'm not saying six weeks, but my father in law roasts his own coffee and he and I did all sorts of crazy stuff before we came up with a good cup of joe. And brewing straight out of the roaster was one of the worst cups i've ever had. Just thought you'd like to know

[xsbuxgirl]

"One more nail in the coffin for good ol' sbux. Keep on moving away from coffee and watch the stock price dip below 10 by end of summer!" - Right on Part Nerr

I dumped that last of my stock a few months ago. On the flip side $10 is my new buy trigger...I'll start buying stock again if it dips that low, and unfortunately, I think it will.