Starbucks confirms that it will begin selling VIA decaf on November 17

The Starbucks release says "VIA™ Ready Brew Decaf Italian Roast is made with the same high-quality arabica coffee sourced from the world’s finest coffee supply and is naturally decaffeinated." Read "Starbucks US Introduces Starbucks VIA Decaf for Holiday Season"

Comments

[Steve Cho]

I thought the whole purpose of Starbucks VIA™ was to have a quick fix of caffeine at ready.

Since I'm slightly caffeine-sensitive and it's getting colder these days, I might give a try though.

[GRTL]

Should of had it ready at launch. I mean really, tell us not to brew decaf after 12 and then release VIA without decaf. Seriously just trying to insult decaf drinkers!

[starbottle]

Sorry if this has been covered before on the VIA threads, but I find it very hard to get VIA out of the packet. The packet is narrow and it sticks to the sides. I have to cut it open with scisssors.
Is this a common problem?

[STARBUCKS GOSSIP WEBMASTER]

Starbottle -- You'll see in small type on the package, TEAR HERE. Do that, and it opens rather easily.

[Joe]

Yes, it is difficult to completely get VIA grounds out of the packet. I dunked it in hot water a few times to be sure I got the value. I think it is a packaging design problem...maybe static electricity? Who knows..needs some engineering. However, this is the least of VIA's problems. As a Starbucks fan, this is over priced, over-hyped. It will drop in history like "New Coke" did.

[bcshift]

sweet, can we use it for customers who want decaf instead of an americano? at our store we only brew decaf on demand, so this would be great.

[starbottle]

Jim, I do that and the packet opens but, as Joe says, the grounds don't come out all that easily. It does seem they are sticking to the inside. Maybe the package needs to be less tubular and more square. Or more squat and less skinny.

[CoffeeMaster33]

I'm glad decaf is finally coming. I know many people who will be excited to hear about this. Can't wait for it to come to Canada.

The only time I've ever had a problem getting VIA out of the package has been when I was holding it over hot water and the steam was getting inside the package, moistening the grounds. I still got it all out, but it stuck to the sides a bit. No problems otherwise.

[abe]

i heard all the stores were gonna close early,@ p.m. on nov 16, so we can watch a video on how to bring the romance back to intant brew decaf via.is this just a rumor ?

[Kathy]

I use Via almost daily and do not understand why some are having trouble getting the coffee out of the tube. Is it possible you are trying to empty it into a cup of hot water? If so, the steam from the water could cause the crystals to clump together. I empty the tube into a mug then add the hot water, no problems, ever!

[SBUX Customer]

I have trouble with the Via packets also. When I tear the packets at the "tear here", it does not tear perfectly. I now use scissors to cut the packets and the Via comes out perfectly. The "tear here" needs to be redesigned.

[SBUX Customer]

A family member of mine thinks one whole packet of Via is too strong. She is able to get 2 or 3 cups of coffee from one packet.
I like the way Via is now but think that Starbucks could add a little less coffee to the packets without affecting taste. This could make Starbucks more money from Via also.

[starbottle]

Well, Jim Webmaster, as you launch the Starbucks Gossip Youtube channel, the inaugural videos can show people trying to get all the VIA successfully out of the VIA packet. Or maybe we need a "how to" video to show how it's done properly.

Then the next batch can be the "my Starbucks story" videos rejected by SSC.

[Fmr Mgr Midwest]

Carly Simon suing Starbucks!
I remember when we had her cd's...

http://www.timesonline.com/bct_news/news_details/article/1373/2009/october/12/carly-simon-sues-starbucks-over-album-deal.html

I don't even know what to say about this.

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

Well, the CD sort of did suck. As far as I'm concerned, Carly Simon is a has been who should be on the TV show, dancing with the stars.

[Glendale Acacia Regular]

If she has a case then Akeelah has a goldmine!

hahaha

>>>Carly Simon suing Starbucks

[Page]

Off topic, but has anyone heard that mgrs will not bonus if they get below 90% on EcoSure? I have heard the rumor mill churning in my area, and if its true, its ridiculous. You can already not get a pay raise at the new fiscal years due to EcoSure, lose your job outright, but not getting a bonus...nuts. Bonus has been based on top line sales for the past year and that should stay without any strings attatched. EcoSure is important, but to not allow a manager to bonus due to it in addition to not getting a pay raise while healthcare costs rise 20% is just not right (if it's true of course).

[Jaboni McJiggis]

I'm sure the manufacturer of Via packaging is not getting paid for this batch. It is VERY hard to get out of the package.

[intlbarista]

There is a whole section if you look in your holiday workbook... new holiday bev's look interesting though they already tried them in Europe years ago (Créme Brulé Latte anyone?)

[CoffeeDealer]

Alright as someone who has pimped VIA for the last two weeks I'm pissed. I have a had a ton of customers willing to buy VIA if it came in Decaf. So we are forced to push and push and push VIA to hit 200% of our "goal", and they could have made it easier to reach this rediculous goal if we had Decaf at our disposal. Wow. I know Starbucks generally sets up people to FAIL, but this just takes the cake. So what, another new decaf "goal"? This is such bull, I'm over this VIA. Bring on Thanksgiving blend and Christmas blend so I can force it down unsuspecting customers throats!

[Clean Simple]

Yay for decaf VIA!

[SBUCKS DRONE LOS ANGELES]

Wow, what a conspiracy. They had stuff hiding all along. So now they want us to focus on selling DECAF Via? Decaf doesn't even SELL at our store, let alone trying to sell Decaf Via. I am happy though about this though, now I won't have to brew (and waste) a whole batch of Decaf for ONE customer. You want decaf? DECAF VIA TIME!!! I always french press decaf too if someone orders it at night, I don't mind doing that either. So now, decaf customers will have a choice between decaf Via or a french press.

[Herman M.]

That midnight press release was funny. VIA exceeds all expectations (because you lot were all threatened with losing your jobs), In response to the #1 customer request, we have developed decaf (in two weeks? right!)

And why isn't this in grocery stores where it would likely sell quite well?

[Former SBUX employee]

I believe the Decaf one will be debuting in Canada in January, because of government regulations on decaffinated products. I know it will sell at my old store, decaf was always big there.

I have never had problems getting VIA out of the packet. I am particularly impressed at how easily it comes out of the package. Perhaps some people got bad batches?

[Former SBUX employee]

By the way, regarding grocery stores, VIA is supposed to be sold in grocery stores futuristically. I don't know when.

[Mrs. Tillinghamshackles]

Costco and Target are both selling VIA.

[Store Manager = 10% good 90% shit]

Sorry to be off-topic, but does anyone know if there's any policies regarding store transfers? Should i just scout out a store, introduce myself to the SM, and if he's okay with it... can i just go and say "hey my shit sm" im switching stores!

The thing is, i have to find a new store now lol!

I hate talking to my SM.

[144xxxx]

Well the packaging is bad just because if you take a look at the pack, the hole for the VIA to come out of is about half the size of the whole pack, which really isn't that large to begin with.

Yay for decaf, but why wait for another couple months after the original roll out to bring it? I understand the need to keep VIA "new and interesting" but if this really was a game changer, why hasn't management been making a stronger push to sell in store if they believe in the product that much?

[Robert]

I like Starbucks coffee and scones!

[kaanan]

Huh?