OPEN THREAD conversation-starter: What's your reaction to Starbucks' just-announced fall offerings?

The line-up: Protein latte; Signature hot chocolate (a sort of thin Chantico); "Perfect oatmeal" with nuts, berries and brown sugar; "Protein pack" featuring peanut butter, hard boiled egg, and mini bagel; multi-grain roll with almond butter; and a fruit and nut bar. Discuss this or anything else Starbucks-related in the weekend open thread.

Comments

[foxy]

Well we still have pumpkin scones here in the great white north.

Oatmeal?! We'll be serving oatmeal....

Ya know...I can see the oatmeal being a real big seller out the drive thru window this winter...Should be a good time!

[s.munt]

Protein latte? VOMITS INTO MOUTH.

[GermaninSD]

Protein latte doesn't tell me much. The protein pack could be something for me. Generally I'd ask for something with less sugar. (The low fat pastries never did it for me because the sugar intake was still too high.)

So I assume that baristas will be adding extra protein to the already "chock-full-o-milk or soy" lattes, which are both already considered an excellent source of protein. Interesting... I wonder if the added protein will be a powder and stick to the roof of your mouth if the baristas do not stir it well, (which we all know is a common occurrance...).

[david noonan]

I just tried to get my 2.00 frozen drink. You need to follow a few rules. You have to buy coffee in the moprning and keep the receipt. Eat shit Starbucks I hope you all go out of business

LONG LIVE THE FIGHT AGAINST OBESITY OF AMERICA!!!

[optimistic ASM]

At least the food sounds like it's actually heading in a healthier direction, i know my customers have been excited about the vivanno and the stella so far. i know oatmeal sounds like a huge pain in the ass, but i'm sure that it will be a lot easier than we all think...just like the vivanno. why don't we all try to be positive about this launch instead of knocking it from the start for a change?

[Really?]

Protein Lattes:

We have to actually steam the milk with the protein in it, so that it mixes all together. Should be fun for a morning rush!! Yipee!! NOT!

Signature Hot Chocolate:
Bullshit!!! COUGH *CHANTICO* COUGH! It's even prepared the same way as chantico!

Protein Platter:
Really looking forward to it except that I'm concerned about the hard boiled egg being gray by the time they get to the stores.

Oatmeal:
Definitely excited! I don't think its going to be that big of a deal. You just have your floater/food partner do it in the mornings, and then in the afternoon, after your register partner do it. I'm also glad they are making the customer add the brown sugar/nuts/fruits to it themselves.

Pumpkin Scone/Muffin:
This is going to be Canada ONLY this year?!!?!

Sea Salt Caramel Signature Hot Chocolate:
VERY interested in this. It's so out of the box for Starbucks. Putting sea salt sprinkles on top will make it taste like chocolate covered pretzels!!! MMMM!

Almond Butter:
Greaaaaaaaaat. Yet another thing to clog up our fridges. What are we going to get rid of this time, Light base???

[erock]

I have been reading this blog for a long time but have never left any comments. However I was moved to do so after reading the post from the person above who is so incredulous about having to keep your receipt to get the $2.00 afternoon promo--sorry your life sucks so much. I think it is just one rule, make a morning purchase with which you should get a receipt. Sounds pretty easy to me.

[Jeff]

I have to laugh at Mr. Noonan and his inability to either read a receipt or any of the copious amounts of details about the "after 2 p.m. $2.00 Grande cold drink" offer. It's so simple. Buy something in the morning/early afternoon, i.e., BEFORE 2 p.m. and come back AFTER 2 p.m. and one can purchase a grande cold beverage (including a Vivanno) for $2 plus tax. I would surmise this is an effort to drive afternoon traffic and get repeat business from customers who purchase in the a.m. Not a bad marketing ploy. Of course, I guess the stumbling block for Mr. Noonan is the actual purchasing something in the a.m.

As for the fall line-up. Not very interested in eating mass produced oatmeal. The protein platter sounds promising. I must be the ONLY person in the world who liked Chantico, but again, I subscribe to the maxim "there is no such thing as too much chocolate or garlic." LOL I still have to wrap my mind around the Sea Salt Caramel Signature Hot Chocolate, but I'm game for trying the samples I know will be available at the launch.

I hope they off the Sorbetto nationwide soon. Had one this past weekend in San Diego and I think it's a good drink.

[Sheik]

I said on this blog MONTHS ago that Chantico would be returning. All of you called BS and the webmaster was even prompted to email Sbux about it. A separate post was made stating Sbux had no plans to have Chantico return.

It may not be returning under the name Chantico but heeeere it is as the new Signature Hot Chocolate

TOLDYASO!!!!

[Really?]

Sheik, was that a prediction of yours or did you actually hear whispers of it coming?

[Sheik]

*channels Brittany Murphy a la 'Don't Say a Word'*

.... IIIIIIII'll never tellllll.......

[Melody]

Is the protein latte using another Kinetix product? Is it the same stuff going into the Vivanno?

[Really?]

Same stuff as Vivanno

[baristadaddy]

They have tested the "Signature" hot cocoa for the past year. It is essentially chantico with other ingredients added to it. (Parnters should look at the test screen once in awhile. Short bread latte is coming soon too.)
You ordered the "chantico" er, "signature" hot chocolate, and there were add ins (cayanne pepper, mint, etc.) I have not see the official promo yet, so I"m wondering if they won't have the 4 flavors from the test. I think chicago was the test area for this.

[Torontodude]

Well, I appreciate Starbucks moving in a healthier direction -- at long last.

But I'm rolling my eyes at a "protein pack" that includes a mini bagel. An egg is good. Peanut butter is good. A mini bagel is very, very bad.

The so-called protein pack makes no sense. It's doomed to instant failure.

Here's why.

The target audience is likely to know that starchy carbs are the real nutritional enemy. They are highly glycemic...sending insulin levels skyrocketing in a way that often leads to weight gain. And there isn't much difference between "regular" mini bagels and "whole grain" mini bagels.

Anyone who has ever followed the Zone or Atkins diet knows this. So does anyone who's read the bestseller "Good Calories, Bad Calories." This group may not be large -- but they are exactly the sort of people who are looking for healthier food at Starbucks.

[Thai coffee lover]

None of these drinks have made it here to Starbucks in Thailand

[javabuz]

Anyone know what the break down is for these items of frozen market vs. fresh market? I am in a frozen market, so I always get excited about new food items only to find out that are for fresh market only. Which of these are coming to frozen markets?

[Melody]

Oh my goodness it looks like Starbucks has been listening to MSI too much. Cayanne pepper in hot chocolate? Just not for me sorry. But it looks like Howard's investment in Kinetix is paying off. He's found one more way to use at Starbucks. Torontodude, the new line up does sound like it is right out of Good Calories Bad Calories.

[Torontodude]

re: new line-up being straight out of "Good Calories, Bad Calories"

Nope.

Oatmeal and bagels are both packed with starchy carbs -- increasingly recognized as the REAL nutritional bad guys...and heatily condemned in the book.

It turns out your Mom was right after all. Bread and potatoes make you fat. So does cereal.

[Trent]

Melody - You're going to love this....

Pike Place Roast is going to be a highlight this Fall. The new healthy pastries are supposed to be paired with PPR.

Also, we are giving away free PPR to teachers ONLY once a week every Monday in the month of September.

Lastly, registered SBUX card members are going to be sent a coupon for 1 free oatmeal bowl, but only if your purchasing history shows you don't buy much food at SBUX (now you guys know why they really want you to register your SBUX card)

[CD]

Melody -

I'm beginning to wonder if Starbucks is listening to MSI (My Starbucks Idea) or they are SEEDING MSI with their new launch concepts as a way to pretend that they're "listening to customers."

Howard is making me quite jaded these days...I am re-reading Pour Your Heart Into It - I only wish he would do the same.

[Torontodude]

Sorry, that should have been "heartily condemned."

A good breakfast would be unsweetened plain yogurt with fresh banana slices, chocolate protein powder and peanut butter.

[truth]

Think cleaning up the banana smoothies is a hassle?

Try a bowl of oatmeal.

[Melody]

Pound head against wall!!! NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO. It's my worst vision of Starbucks. MSI meets the stores. Lowest common denominator appeal to everyone find stupid discounts. Nothing premier and exclusive. Argh. HOWARD please re-read Pour Your Heart Into It!!!! From a truly loyal customer.
In my defense, I'm having "not guilty by reason of insanity" moment right now.

[Trent]

Well to play MSI advocate, they really have listened to some ideas.

The top idea on the customer side of MSI had to do with inspiring conversation at the stores. So they are partnering up with GOOD magazine to do a topic of the week that will be displayed on the Verismo magnet as well as a takeaway mini magazine.

The reason why our stores aren't great meeting places for "deep" conversations is because its just way too loud. Timers going off, safes going off, frappuccinos blending, milk steaming, partners communicating across the store that they need more frappuccino mix for the sureshot, etc, etc.

[Anonymous Old School]

All of this sounds disgustingly...gay. I don't like to say it but the Chantico was the gayest drink Starbucks ever offered a few years ago. Starbucks needs to stop giving their drink products with gay sounding names.

How about PinkBerry? A real man does not drink that crap.

Sea Salt Caramel Signature Hot Chocolate? How in hell are the partners going to be able to codify that on the cups? SSCSHC? That drink sounds effin' gross.

Is Howard Schultz a man or is he hiding a secondary lifestyle?

He should have gone 'old school' in the first place. But nooo, he had to go schlocky all of a sudden and play 'drama queen' crying us a river how hard it was for him to fire people.

Howard Schultz, this is from Donald Trump:

You're fired!

[Trent]

Truth, you don't need to clean the oatmeal. We are coming out with special oatmeal to go bowls (they look like to-go soup containers from the supermarket). ALL you have to do is add water to instant oatmeal mix. They customer even puts in their choice of mix-ins as well. You just hand them the packet of it.

Speaking of bananas and oatmeal, I just read in the promo workbook that a customer can add a banana to their oatmeal, but due to health regulations *cough* speed of service *cough*, we can only give them the banana and a knife, and have them do it themselves. I call BS on health regulations because I know Jamba Juice adds freshly sliced bananas on top of their breakfast granola parfaits, and they do it company wide, it has nothing to do with health codes or restaurant classification requirements

[Melody]

By the way, if someone wants a packet of honey blended into their orange mango Vivanno, how do you normally handle that? I haven't had too much trouble getting that, but one barista took the blender and put it on the bar (drink pick up area) and handed me the honey and told me to put it in. It's the first time I've actually put anything into the blender myself. Every other store has just added it, like as if I said "2 equals" or whatever.

[Trent]

Great question about cup IDs for new drinks...here they are straight from the workbook:

Signature Hot Chocolate - SHC
Salted Caramel Signature Hot Chocolate - SCSHC
Add Protein - +PR

Melody, here is something to perk you up love..new promo coffees are Anniversary Blend (I know you love your bold) and also Burundi Kayanza (also bold, but juicy and citrusy with blackberry notes, tea flavors, and is "unlike any other african coffee we've offered before)

[Trent]

*Shakes head* Melody, I can't believe they made you do that.

Anyways, I would just put it in the blender myself, but sanitize it afterwards because I know people can be allergic to honey.

[Torontodude]

Okay, now I get how the the oatmeal will work.

Suggestion:

Just substitute plain unsweetened yogurt for oatmeal. Now, you've got a healthy breakfast.

[truth]

Don't worry Melody. If none of these products sound good to you, soon you'll also be having tacos and roast beef sandwiches on the menu too.

And instant oatmeal just oozes quality, doesn't it?

[Cali ASM]

WTF is all this new crap. I need to get out now!!!!

[LMD]

...Pumpkin Spice Latte?????

[Posted by:]

Lame joke: Do you guys need some cheese with that whine?

Sarcasm: Oh my gosh! Can you believe it? Starbucks is trying new things! They aren't trying the same old thing. The same old thing that everyone has seen for years. Instead of sticking with sugar-packed breakfast pastries, they're trying oatmeal, granola, and protein. Scandalous!

Torontodude: Sorry. When I was in college, I managed to lose 50 pounds by making a bowl of oatmeal part of my weight-loss plan. The enemy of any healthy person or diet is not necessarily carbs, but sugar. Sugar is the enemy. The sugar that is in most cereals, processed foods, and many of the drinks Starbucks offers, is the enemy of a healthy person/diet.

[Torontodude]

Starchy carbs and sugar are both bad. Foods that have both are especially bad. That's what makes the pastries so horrendous.

[Javerich]

First off, isn't Anonymous Old School's homophobia hilarious? I hope that frequenting Starbucks hasn't raised his estrogen levels or anything. May he never be served by a gay barista, and may the store always have plenty of mix available so he can enjoy his Meat And Potatoes Frappuccino.

Anyway, I have a question for knowledgeable baristas. Why does an espresso frappuccino have fewer calories and less fat than a coffee frappuccino? This is according to the nutrition page on starbucks.com. I thought espresso frapp was just coffee frap plus espresso. So wouldn't the fat and calories stay the same? I don't think a shot is enough espresso to seriously dilute. Very curious!

And while we're on the subject, I go to a lot of Starbucks in NYC that are staffed by disinterested people. (I love going out of town because it usually means I'll get a friendly cashier and a competent barista at Starbucks!) I've noticed something frustrating with Frappuccino, and now especially with Vivanno -- when these blended drinks are made, there's usually a LOT of leftover in the blender after pouring the drink. Is this common or intentional? It suggests to me that the proportion of ingredients is off. Doesn't Starbucks instruct that these things be carefully meted out? I can't imagine them wanting to waste product. It's especially frustrating when I get an add in like an espresso or matcha shot and then suspect half of that add-in never made it to my drink!

Curious to hear thoughts on this stuff from people in the know. Thanks for listening, and I hope none of this was too gay for you.

[Double Blended]

Javerich, the Vivanno recipe does end up making more than the cup can hold. This is only the case for the Vivanno, because somehow it just works that way. I've never really heard a good explanation except that that's how the recipe goes and we all just have to accept that there's a good deal extra left. Why they didn't just make the cups bigger, I don't know, but I don't make the decisions... though I wish I did!

As for oatmeal, chantico 2.0, and protein lattes, I just love how complicated things have become. I thought that we were getting back to basics, but so far nothing has been very basic about any of the new promotions. I just want to make coffee. Is that so wrong?

[catherine]

torontodude--actually, oatmeal is a great source of soluble fiber, which makes you feel fuller for longer because it prolongs the release and absorption of sugars. It's also great for keeping your blood sugar and and cholesterol under control. Just because your faddy wannabe tough man diet hates on things like oatmeal doesn't make them omg bad for you, get your facts straight.

[chitownshiftblackapron]

Bananas vary in size and thus there will be leftover, plus the nutrition facts are based on 16oz.

[sample cup]

I hate people who all they can talk about is "bad" foods. YES, there are UNHEALTHY, UN-NUTRITIOUS foods out there... but, seriously? You're picking on OATMEAL????

It has it's drawbacks and its perks, but overall, it's a simple, accessible, relatively inexpensive and not unhealthy breakfast alternative. So long as the servings aren't pre-sweetened, oatmeal isn't going to be the food offering that will give anyone a heart attack.

One book does not make one a nutritionist. Not even two or three books. Those ideologies are not perfect nor is current USA food guidelines and public acceptance of healthy eating. I mean for god's sake, boxes of HOT POCKETS now claim that because of the cheese, they are "good sources of Calcium" - so are some green veggies. We, as in the American public, have forgotten/never learned what healthy, balanced eating is - these books are mostly just starts toward the right direction.

[sample cup]

Oh, and just in case you haven't thought of it lately, Starbucks is a treat to many people - a mini luxury. What? are they not allowed to treat themselves to a fatty, carb ridden, high fructose corn syrup dripping commercially produced pastry now and then? Starbucks isn't solely responsible for everyone's nutritional intake. We are doing this "health and wellness" platform because it's "what our consumers want".

Look at Subway - they brought out that Jared dude because people were looking for healthier options in fast food. Well, now the economy is down the toilet, so they're focusing on their "inexpensive" $5 footlong sub deal. Who really needs to eat 3-4 servings of bread and a ton of processed cheese and lunch meat in one sitting? The food service industry gives people what they "want"... or at least tries to tell them what they "want".

[CD]

Does anyone remember "Grani" from 2006? Starbucks was selling Kellogg's Granola and steamed milk in a special cup with a red spoon and calling it "Grani."

It was a major mis-step in that it really demonstrated a watering-down of the Starbucks brand by partnering with such an off-the-shelf average quality granola.

HOWARD - RE-READ POUR YOUR HEART INTO IT!

[An awesome homosexual partner in new england]

Directed to anonymous old school: Take your HOMOPHOBIC rant somewhere else. A REAL MAN keeps an OPEN MIND about things. For starters: to consider anything other than straight a secondary lifestyle is downright wrong. I am a proud gay partner with an ALTERNATIVE lifestyle, not a SECONDARY lifestyle. Second gay sounding? as opposed to staright sounding? Because in your post you dont sound gay or straight you sound like an immature bigot.
On a lighter note I havent tried anything pinkberry but hears the sorbetto was good. As well, try to keep an open mind about the new products soon to unravel...If you like it...then great promote and consume. If you dont then you dont. Plain & Simple.

[I eat oatmeal every day.]

What the crap, people above. Oatmeal is about the healthiest thing in evar.

Mmm. Oatmeal.

(and, yes, yours truly has single-digit bodyfat and everything else.)

[Trent]

Re: Espresso Frappuccinos being less calories than Coffee Frapuccinos...

Here is why...

In order to accomodate the espresso shot, we have to use a little less coffee base, which is why there are less calories.