Starbucks is changing one of the most
Starbucks is changing one of the most generous parts of its loyalty program, marking the latest effort by CEO Brian Niccol to boost profits.
Beginning June 24, the coffee chain is eliminating the 25-star bonus for customers that bring in a personal, reusable cup for drink orders. Moving forward, they will instead earn double stars on their entire order, a Starbucks spokesperson confirmed, which might result in fewer stars.
Accumulating the 25-star bonus, which began in 2022, was used by some Starbucks customers as a quick way to score a free coffee, tea or snack at the 100 point redemption level, or as a strategy to earn enough to redeem them on fancier drinks, food and merchandise for more stars, ranging from 200 to 400.
Reducing that perk is the latest way that Niccol is dialing back deals in hopes of bolstering Starbucks' profit margins. One of his first orders of business was reducing discounts and promotions offered to loyalty members on its app to reposition Starbucks as a premium brand while also reducing the strain on employees.
The latest change means that a customer ordering just a drink will get fewer stars. For example, a beverage in a personal cup that costs $4, like a medium iced coffee, would currently earn more than 30 stars if paid through a Starbucks card on the app. Next month, that will be reduced by about half the number of stars.
However, the change benefits people with larger orders — i.e. a drink in a personal cup, a sandwich and a snack — because they would get more bonus stars. Plus, Starbucks confirmed that it's keeping the $0.10 discount when using a personal cup.
Niccol has made many changes at the struggling company, which reported weaker-than-expected earnings report last month. He's changed employee uniforms, overhauled the menu by cutting 30% of its offerings and instituted a new policy restricting restrooms to paying customers.
He has also brought back a company tradition of baristas doodling on cups, as well as self-serve milk and sugar stations.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
ASX-listed James Hardie secures $3.5 billion credit to fund AZEK deal
(Reuters) -ASX-listed James Hardie said on Monday it had secured new senior credit facilities for a total of $3.5 billion with broad support, including 30 participating banks to support its operations and acquisition of U.S.-listed AZEK. The multi-billion dollar loan facility can be broken down into a $1 billion revolving credit facility and a $2.5 billion senior secured term loan A, split into two tranches. The fibre-cement maker had offered to buy the U.S. artificial decking maker for $8.75 billion in March, while markets were concerned about a slowdown in the U.S. housing sector. With the new credit facilities, bridge facility commitments with certain lenders in connection with the pending acquisition were reduced from $4.3 billion to $1.7 billion. New housing stock in the U.S. is near a two-decade high and tariffs and an immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump are seen as likely to slow construction further. In May, the building material firm forecast tepid earnings growth for its North American business, the company's biggest market and profit engine, while reporting a drop in annual profit. Back in Australia, market scrutiny has also increased on such large corporate buyouts after investors raised questions about the AZEK deal. In a separate announcement, James Hardie terminated its American depositary shares (ADS) program, believing it will become unnecessary after the company lists its share on the New York Stock Exchange. James Hardie's ASX-listed shares jumped as much as 3.2% to A$36.57, their highest level in over a week, and were last trading up 2.9%. The stock has lost more than 8% in value since the buyout deal was announced in March. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Pittsburgh Steelers Continue Roster Changes with UDFA Cut
Pittsburgh Steelers Continue Roster Changes with UDFA Cut originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to make roster moves early in the offseason. On Thursday, Pittsburgh announced it released defensive end Blake Mangelson via its X account. Mangelson was signed as an UDFA on April 28 and participated in rookie minicamp and the first week of OTAs. Advertisement Before signing with the Steelers this offseason, Mangelson accepted an offer to the Minnesota Vikings' rookie minicamp but canceled when Pittsburgh came calling. The 23-year-old is a monster at 6-5, 279 pounds and played collegiately at BYU. Across four seasons, he posted 82 total tackles with 12 for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception and four passes defended. His release brings the 90-man roster back down to 90 after wideout Montana Lemonious-Craig signed earlier this week, but Pittsburgh is technically allowed 91 players since Julius Welschof has a roster exemption with the NFL International Pathway Program. The Steelers are expected by some to sign veteran free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, so they now have a roster spot open for that, but even if Rodgers decides not to sign, the team has stated they'll add another veteran to compete with Mason Rudolph for the starting job. Advertisement It's also possible Pittsburgh re-signs Mangelson at some point this offseason after more cuts or an injury to a defensive lineman necessitates a need. The team typically retains six or seven on the regular-season 53-man roster, and after Mangelson's release, they currently have 12 with mandatory minicamp beginning on June 10. Related: Steelers Running Back Room Is Crowded Related: Steelers Trade Rumors Swirl as WR Emerges at OTAs This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ex Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson Defends Departed Star Wideout George Pickens
Ex Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson Defends Departed Star Wideout George Pickens originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Pittsburgh Steelers have cut ties with two of their biggest offensive tools from last season. Advertisement Quarterback Russell Wilson was not offered a new contract after playing last season on a one-year deal, and George Pickens was traded away to the Dallas Cowboys. Wilson's time in Pittsburgh was up and down. He posted 2,482 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions across 11 starts, but posted a 6-5 record after starting his season with six straight wins. Wilson took over for Justin Fields in the Week 7 win over the New York Jets. Wilson's top target last year was George Pickens, whose time in Pittsburgh wasn't just up and down; it was downright contentious. Now that they're both gone, Wilson spoke out about his feelings on Pickens and their time together in the Steel City. Advertisement "I love George," Wilson said this week on Carmelo Anthony's '7PM in Brooklyn' podcast. "His ability to catch the football is one of a kind. Anything in his vicinity, he's [going to] catch it. On a serious note, he's misunderstood. He wants to be great, you know? I think, also, his ability, where he can take it from not just being great, to being one of the world's best, I think he has that in him." Pickens had moments of brilliance on the field but also displayed childish tantrums. He had to be restrained on the sidelines more than once due to altercations with fans, and he drew numerous fines throughout his tenure. The Steelers saw all this as enough to move him and let him become the Cowboys' problem. Pickens seems happy in his new hometown, though. Advertisement "This game is just as much a business as it is football. It's kinda like out of my control," Pickens said. "I'm glad to be here in Dallas and able to continue the winning culture that they have." "Winning culture?" Ok, George. We'll take your word for it. Related: Ex Seahawks WR Disrespects 'Overrated' DK Metcalf Related: Steelers Continue Roster Changes with UDFA Cut This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
