Latest news with #DanaPellicano
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Starbucks tests coconut drinks, agave syrup in healthier menu for RFK Jr. era
(Bloomberg) — Starbucks Corp., (SBUX) which built a loyal following in part by selling sugary candy-colored drinks, has a vision for a healthier menu that's better suited for the MAHA era. It's testing matcha and cold brew made with coconut water. It's exploring syrups sweetened with agave instead of sugar. It's been piloting a protein-infused cold foam and looking into more plant-based products. The moves are meant to draw in the health and wellness crowd, part of a broader menu overhaul designed to bring more traffic to stores and reverse a stubborn sales slump. On Tuesday, the company reported its sixth straight quarter of same-store sales declines and a steeper-than-expected drop in profits. The menu revamp is one element of a turnaround plan put into place by Chief Executive Officer Brian Niccol that has yet to bear fruit. 'We've been working on sugar reduction,' Dana Pellicano, who leads product development at Starbucks, said in an interview. This week, the Seattle-based chain started testing coconut-water-based beverages at five New York-area stores. The drinks have about a third of the sugar content of a summer-berry lemonade refresher, plus electrolytes. A bigger regional test will soon follow. As the chain builds out its new menu, sugar is a key area of focus, Pellicano said. The company is exploring syrups made with sweeteners such as agave, dates or coconut and 'actively working on' other sugar-free beverages, Pellicano said. Earlier this year, the chain launched lower-calorie ready-made Frappuccinos and sugar-free canned energy drinks. It also removed sweetener from its matcha powder. Starbucks is walking a fine line. Its sugar-laden Frappuccinos and refreshers bring much-needed traffic to stores, but the chain also wants to appeal to a growing cohort of health-conscious customers. US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. put a spotlight on the company when he said that CEO Niccol pledged that Starbucks would 'further MAHA' its menu. The focus on adding healthier options predates the Trump administration, according to Pellicano. The company removed ingredients such as high-fructose corn syrup, as well as artificial dyes and flavors, years ago. It launched the sugar-free matcha in January, before Kennedy was confirmed to his post. The strategy, Pellicano said, is to offer more options to draw a variety of customers. For people on weight-loss shots or on a diet, Starbucks is looking into more nutrient-dense foods, like that protein foam. It's planning vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Any new new food or drink items it launches will start with a test in five US stores. From there, baristas and customers can give feedback on everything from taste to how difficult products are to make. If it's successful, a wider release will follow. 'We are the industry leader in customization,' she said, adding that Starbucks wants customers to find something on its menu 'without having to sacrifice how they want to feel about their choices.' (Adds information from company's earnings in fourth graf. ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Toronto Sun
30-07-2025
- Business
- Toronto Sun
Coconut drinks, agave syrup: Starbucks fleshes out its healthier menu
Published Jul 30, 2025 • Last updated 5 minutes ago • 2 minute read Customers enter a Starbucks coffee shop in New York, US, on Monday, July 28, 2025. Starbucks Corp. is scheduled to release earnings figures on July 29. Photographer Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg Photo by Victor J. Blue / Bloomberg Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. (Bloomberg) — Starbucks Corp., which built a loyal following in part by selling sugary candy-colored drinks, has a vision for a healthier menu that's better suited for the MAHA era. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account It's testing matcha and cold brew made with coconut water. It's exploring syrups sweetened with agave instead of sugar. It's been piloting a protein-infused cold foam and looking into more plant-based products. The moves are meant to draw in the health and wellness crowd, part of a broader menu overhaul designed to bring more traffic to stores and reverse a stubborn sales slump. 'We've been working on sugar reduction,' Dana Pellicano, who leads product development at Starbucks, said in an interview. This week, the Seattle-based chain started testing coconut-water-based beverages at five New York-area stores. The drinks have about a third of the sugar content of a summer-berry lemonade refresher, plus electrolytes. A bigger regional test will soon follow. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. As the chain builds out its new menu, sugar is a key area of focus, Pellicano said. The company is exploring syrups made with sweeteners such as agave, dates or coconut and 'actively working on' other sugar-free beverages, Pellicano said. Earlier this year, the chain launched lower-calorie ready-made Frappuccinos and sugar-free canned energy drinks. It also removed sweetener from its matcha powder. Starbucks is walking a fine line. Its sugar-laden Frappuccinos and refreshers bring much-needed traffic to stores, but the chain also wants to appeal to a growing cohort of health-conscious customers. US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. put a spotlight on the company when he said that Chief Executive Brian Niccol pledged that Starbucks would 'further MAHA' its menu. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The focus on adding healthier options predates the Trump administration, according to Pellicano. The company removed ingredients such as high-fructose corn syrup, as well as artificial dyes and flavours, years ago. It launched the sugar-free matcha in January, before Kennedy was confirmed to his post. The strategy, Pellicano said, is to offer more options to draw a variety of customers. For people on weight-loss shots or on a diet, Starbucks is looking into more nutrient-dense foods, like that protein foam. It's planning vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Any new food or drink items it launches will start with a test in five US stores. From there, baristas and customers can give feedback on everything from taste to how difficult products are to make. If it's successful, a wider release will follow. 'We are the industry leader in customization,' she said, adding that Starbucks wants customers to find something on its menu 'without having to sacrifice how they want to feel about their choices.' MLB Toronto & GTA Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Celebrity
