Latest news with #BrianNiccol
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Starbucks fans rage as it quietly removed a major perk for rewards members: 'This stops my visits'
Starbucks Rewards members are fuming after learning they'll no longer earn 25 stars for using personal cups. Instead, the coffee giant will offer double stars on the full order — a change many say is a downgrade. Outraged customers took to Reddit, saying the switch will slash their rewards. 'It's like Starbucks doesn't want customers anymore,' one user wrote. Some vowed to stop visiting entirely. 'This was my last reason to go daily,' one fan said. 'Guess I'll be making coffee at home now.' Another added: 'Without this, I'd rather go somewhere else — they don't even have new drinks anymore.' This change, which starts on June 24, benefits those making larger purchases, as higher spenders will collect more stars under the new system. For example, a $30 order will yield 60 Stars instead of the previous 55, whereas a $5 purchase will drop from 30 to just 10 Stars. Stars earn freebies. For example, 25 gets a shot, 100 a brewed coffee or a bakery item, 200 a latter and 300 a sandwich. The 25-star bonus has been a fan-favorite Starbucks perk since 2022. Several Reddit users revealed they were some of the many customers who used the perk daily to score a free coffee, tea, or snack when reaching the 100 point redemption level. A few Reddit users were 'unsurprised' by the action since CEO Brian Niccol revealed that reducing discounts and promotions for loyalty members for part of the company's 'Back to Starbucks' plan. Loyalty members will still earn one star per dollar spent when paying at the register or through a payment method on the app. If they pay through money on a digital Starbucks card or gift card, they will earn two. The company will continue to give its loyalty members a $0.10 discount on their orders when they use personal cups. However, the perk removal is one of many Starbucks changes that fans have slammed online. Employees and customers were frustrated by the return of its writing on cups policy, which baristas claimed couldn't include popular terms like 'YOLO' and 'GOAT.' Workers also roasted Niccol for implementing a new dress code, many of which threatened to quit their jobs. Social media users claimed they would no longer visit Starbucks once perk removal takes effect While many changes were controversial, there were some that left customers impressed. The chain stopped charging customers extra money for dairy alternatives shortly after announcing it would simplify its ' overly complex menu.' All the changes have made customers fear for the fate of the chain. Its profits have declined drastically over the last few years, which was a factor in its decision to hire Niccol as CEO. They have yet to get back on track, and Starbucks recently confirmed its global and North American comparable store sales each declined by 1 percent during its latest quarter. However, the net revenue for its North American sales increased by 1 percent, and Niccol is still confident the turnaround plan is the 'right strategy' to better the company.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Starbucks brings back popular menu items after major cuts
Summer is only a few weeks away, and it seems like no one is more excited than fast-food chains, since they have already begun dropping their summer menus. Seasonal menus are a popular tradition in the restaurant sector because businesses can test new products and experiment with seasonal ingredients. These menus let chain restaurants keep up with trends without investing too heavily in something that might not work in the long run. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Starbucks has been suffering some of the most troublesome quarters in its history, with continuous sales declines and a slowdown in traffic that have affected its finances. Related: Starbucks makes major change in rewards program loyal fans will hate To put the business back on track, CEO Brian Niccol emphasized the need to return the company to its roots by focusing on its core products, personalizing the coffee shop experience, and keeping prices from increasing. This led him to formulate a multi-year turnaround plan that has changed the company from the inside out in all aspects, especially its menu. Image source:One of the main short-term issues Starbucks (SBUX) needed to address was its menu. It had become too complex, was damaging efficiency, did not prioritize coffee quality, and elevated prices due to the large number of available customizations. To quickly resolve this problem, Starbucks began simplifying its menu, reducing customization options, and eliminating extra charges for milk alternatives. Related: Starbucks faces huge new rival However, this meant that some customers would unfortunately no longer be able to order their favorite menu items, at least for now. In February, many customers' nightmares came true: Starbucks discontinued nine beloved Frappuccinos from both the coffee-based and crème categories, nearly halving the available options. Although many might have thought the shrinking of its menu meant no more seasonal menu launches, they were wrong, because Starbucks released the first part of its summer menu on May 20. The menu included the Summer-Berry Refreshers, which can be ordered with water, coconut milk, or lemonade. It also introduced the new Iced Horchata and the Strawberries & Cream Cake Pop. However, Starbucks was far from done with its seasonal releases, as its late summer menu for 2025 was leaked by @markie_devo on Instagram this week. In celebration of the 4th of July, Starbucks is releasing a new Firework Frappuccino. It has a Summer-Berry Refresher base blended with ice and coconut milk and featuring raspberry pearls, strawberry puree, and a topping of vanilla sweet cream cold foam. This item is speculated to become available at all locations nationwide starting July 1 to 7. More Food News: Popular chicken chain brings back beloved menu item after 7 yearsDunkin' launches surprising summer beverages to outdo StarbucksMcDonald's to close all its CosMc's experimental spin-off locations Starbucks is also introducing an entirely new lineup of Frappuccinos called Strato Frappuccinos. These consist of a coffee or crème Frappuccino base topped with flavored cream cold foam. The Strato Frappuccinos, which are expected to drop on July 8, will feature three flavors: Salted Caramel Mocha, Strawberry Matcha, and Brown Sugar. During its menu cuts, Starbucks discontinued the Double Chocolate Brownie at the beginning of May. However, that didn't last long because, due to popular demand, Starbucks is reintroducing it, likely on June 23. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
CNN
2 days ago
- Business
- CNN
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.
CNN
2 days ago
- Business
- CNN
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.
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Starbucks' latest change could mean you'll acquire rewards points more slowly if you order one drink each visit
Starbucks ' latest change could affect loyalty program members who bring their own cup for baristas to fill. Starting June 24, the coffee chain will scrap its bonus for customers who bring their personal, reusable cup to stores. Currently, Starbucks Rewards members get 25 stars for bringing their own cup. Instead, Rewards members who use their own cup will earn double the stars on their entire order. At its most basic Rewards tier, Starbucks Rewards members get one star for every dollar that they spend before sales tax. Members can redeem stars for free food and beverages. A Starbucks spokesperson confirmed the planned change to Business Insider. The spokesperson confirmed that the company will continue to offer a $0.10 discount as well when customers bring in their reusable cups. The change means that Starbucks customers who tend to order a single drink when they stop by could earn rewards more slowly under the change. Under the current system, a beverage that normally earns nine stars would earn an extra 25 if a customer brings in their own cup for a total of 34, for example. With the change, the same order would earn 18 stars. On a Reddit page devoted to Starbucks, one poster said that they were accustomed to getting the bonus on their regular coffee run. "Honestly the 25 stars is what keeps me going back daily," the post reads. "I love saving my stars for when I go on vacation." Customers who order sandwiches or other food items, which tend to cost more than beverages and thus earn more stars, could earn rewards more quickly with the change, meanwhile. It's the latest change that Starbucks has made in the last several months. Since Brian Niccol became CEO in September, Starbucks has made numerous changes at its cafes. The chain has trimmed its menu options, added shifts at some stores, and now asks baristas to leave customers handwritten messages on single-use cups. Starbucks offers incentives for customers to bring their own reusable cups, including the 25-star bonus and the $0.10 discount, in an effort to cut down on single-use plastics and paper cups. The chain extended the incentives to drive-thru and mobile orders in 2024.
