Latest news with #LeadershipExperience2025
USA Today
a day ago
- Business
- USA Today
Starbucks menu upgrade: Protein cold foam, new croissants undergo testing
Starbucks menu upgrade: Protein cold foam, new croissants undergo testing Show Caption Hide Caption Starbucks to cut 13 drinks from menu amid restructuring Starbucks cuts 13 drinks from menu, streamlining operations and improving service, with more reductions expected in coming months. Straight Arrow News Protein-packed coffees and raspberry-filled pastries could soon be coming to a Starbucks near you. The Seattle-based coffee giant is testing out new menu items amid its 'Back to Starbucks' strategy, led by CEO Brian Niccol. The former Chipotle chief executive has emphasized the importance of providing customers the 'right vibe' after a slump in sales. "It's time for us to lead again," Niccol told a crowd of Starbucks employees during the company's Leadership Experience 2025 event on June 10. "We're going to lead in warm, welcoming coffee houses. We're going to lead in innovation. Innovation to our menu." USA TODAY had an early look at the new food and drink products during the Las Vegas event. Most of the items are undergoing Starbucks' 'Starting Five' program, in which five U.S. Starbucks locations try out new products and offer feedback before a broader launch. Because testing is ongoing, the products sampled by USA TODAY may change before the final iterations launch nationwide. Protein cold foam Starbucks is testing out a new protein cold foam option that would add roughly 15 grams of protein to its drinks through the addition of an unsweetened protein powder. Starbucks offered samples of a banana protein cold foam on June 10, but the protein can be added to any cold foam flavor. Other retailers, including coffee chain Dutch Bros, already offer high-protein offerings as consumers ‒ especially Gen Z ‒ show growing interest in health and building muscle. The number of high-protein drinks jumped 122% between 2020 and 2024, according to Innova Market Insights, which analyzes food and beverage industry data. "It's on trend. It's delicious," Niccol said about the protein cold foam. Starbucks did not share a date for the new cold foam's release, but Niccol said it would hit stores 'very soon.' New bakery items Starbucks is updating its classic croissant and adding two new bakery items to its stores: a raspberry croissant filled with jam and a double chocolate cookie topped with flaky sea salt. 'We're going to get back to fresh-baked food,' Niccol said. Starbucks 1971 Roast A new coffee, dubbed the Starbucks 1971 Roast, is set to roll out at coffee houses in the U.S. and Canada this winter. The dark roast is a blend of beans from Sumatra, Colombia and Brazil. Strato Frappuccino Starbucks is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its Frappuccino with a new offering: the Strato Frappuccino. Strato – or 'layer,' in Italian – adds a cloud of cold foam on top of any Frappuccino flavor. The drink sampled by USA TODAY at the Starbucks Leadership Experience in Las Vegas featured a Coffee Frappuccino topped with brown sugar cold foam and cinnamon. Unveiled earlier this year, the Strato Frappuccino will be available at Starbucks stores nationwide this summer. In addition to the Brown Sugar Strato Frappuccino, Starbucks will also offer a Salted Caramel Mocha Strato Frappuccino and a Strawberry Matcha Strato Frappuccino.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Starbucks to deploy enhanced staffing model across North America
Global coffee house chain Starbucks chairman and CEO Brian Niccol is implementing a new staffing and service framework across the entire network of 18,000 outlets in North America. Niccol told Reuters that the company aims to deploy and complete the initiative by the close of summer 2025 - an advancement from the original strategy which targeted only a third of US locations by the end of the year. During the earnings call, Niccol stated: 'We'll launch a pilot across 700 stores looking at staffing levels to improve our Green Apron partners' ability to serve'. He went on to say that pilot tests have demonstrated a rise in sales with the new model. The Green Apron blueprint encompasses the integration of in-store technological solutions designed to sequence orders with greater efficiency, alongside the allocation of a specialised barista to exclusively manage drive-through orders. The company has gathered more than 14,000 coffeehouse leaders from across North America in Las Vegas for a three-day event on 10 June and 11 June. Leadership Experience 2025 (LE25) is led by Niccol and COO Mike Grams and is the company's largest leadership event to date. LE25 is a major step in Starbucks' turnaround strategy, which is focused on exceptional service, simplified routines and deeper customer connections. The event aims to set new customer service standards and reinforce the company's commitment to hospitality, targeting a four-minute wait time without sacrificing the warmth of the Starbucks experience. At the summit, Niccol told Reuters: 'We've learned, and now we know what we need to do, so let's scale it.' Grams stated that since the introduction of the "Back to Starbucks" strategy in September 2024, customers have noticed improvements: 'welcoming spaces, more confident baristas, faster service and the return of small but meaningful personal touches such as like ceramic mugs, and handwritten notes on cups, a more consistent dress code, and a much-loved customer favourite: the condiment bar." The strategy aims to revitalise the brand by enhancing the unique coffeehouse experience for which Starbucks is known. The company's initial efforts have concentrated on improving the store experience in the US and Canada. However, Starbucks is also evaluating the structure and size of its global support teams as part of its transformation efforts. The "Back to Starbucks" initiative has yielded positive results, with record-high shift completion rates, turnover rates below industry average and rising partner engagement scores. An internal survey has revealed that 84% of US store partners participated, with a majority recommending Starbucks as a great place to work. Grams went on: 'LE25 is our moment to recommit to a culture of hospitality and excellence. We're making progress, have real momentum with our 'Back to Starbucks' plan and are on the right track to turn the business around.' 'We're listening and testing in the coffeehouse, and then applying our learnings to scale quickly and enhance the customer and partner experience." In May 2025, private sector union United Steelworkers (USW) negotiated initial collective bargaining agreements for five newly unionised Starbucks locations in Ontario, Canada. "Starbucks to deploy enhanced staffing model across North America" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Geek Wire
2 days ago
- Business
- Geek Wire
Starbucks AI assistant, powered by Microsoft, helps baristas focus more on coffee and customers
Starbucks' Green Dot Assist AI-powered tool details how to make a specific drink and offers to a show a barista a quick video tutorial. (Screen grab via Starbucks) AI is coming to your Starbucks. The tech isn't going to make your coffee, but it might make the barista's job easier so they can focus on making your coffee better and faster. The Seattle-based coffee giant revealed a new generative AI-powered assistant called 'Green Dot Assist' that is designed to help baristas find quicker solutions to tasks that can get in the way of customer service. CNBC reported that the feature is powered by Microsoft Azure's OpenAI platform. Using in-store iPads instead of flipping through manuals, Starbucks says its partners can get quick answers related to real-time shift planning, coaching, store performance, standards, troubleshooting and even a refresher on the ingredients for a seasonal beverage. The tech initiative was announced at Leadership Experience 2025 (LE25) in Las Vegas, where Starbucks is bringing together more than 14,000 of its coffeehouse leaders from across North America. The goal of the three-day gathering is to facilitate immersive workshops and connect workers, who can hear directly from company leaders, including new CEO Brian Niccol. Green Dot Assist will pilot in 35 stores, with broader rollout in the company's U.S. and Canadian locations in fiscal year 2026. Niccol, who was named Starbucks CEO last August, revealed plans in September to help the slumping coffee chain boost its brand and sales, in part by investing in technology 'that enhance the partner and customer experience, improve our supply chain and evolve our app and mobile ordering platform.' As GeekWire previously reported, it's worth watching how Niccol handles the company's digital ordering system. Starbucks helped pioneer mobile order-ahead capabilities more than a decade ago. Now about a third of total transactions from Starbucks' U.S. company-operated stores come from its app. But the app has become somewhat of a sore spot due to inaccurate wait times and the congestion it creates inside stores — both for those trying to pick up their mobile orders, and people ordering at the store itself. 'We're returning to what made us iconic: handcrafted coffee, human connection, and a relentless focus on excellence,' Niccol said in Las Vegas. Starbucks also announced a next-gen point-of-sale system designed to reduce training time and drink remakes while enhancing workflow. The system features improved accessibility with removed language barriers as well as customer personalization.
Cision Canada
3 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Leadership Experience 2025: Starbucks Rallies 14,000 North America Coffeehouse Leaders to Accelerate its 'Back to Starbucks' Strategy
TORONTO, June 10, 2025 /CNW/ - This week, Starbucks is hosting over 14,000 coffeehouse leaders from across North America at Leadership Experience 2025 (LE25) in Las Vegas—its largest leadership gathering ever and the first under chairman and CEO Brian Niccol and COO Mike Grams. "Getting 'Back to Starbucks' means refocusing on what has always set us apart — a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather, and where we serve the finest coffee, handcrafted by our skilled baristas," said Niccol. "We are bringing together our coffeehouse leaders from across North America to celebrate, empower and equip them to accelerate our transformation. The coffeehouse experience defines the Starbucks brand, and these leaders and their teams bring that experience to life for millions of customers every day." A New Era of Leadership and Customer Experience LE25 is an important milestone for Starbucks. Over three days, coffeehouse leaders will engage in immersive workshops, connect over new ways of working, hear directly from company leaders, and experience the first-ever Starbucks Global Barista Championship, celebrating craft, connection, excellence at its best. The event will accelerate Starbucks turnaround—centered on exceptional service, simplified routines, and deeper customer connections. Leaders will explore new innovations, clearer customer service standards, and a renewed focus on hospitality, including a goal of four-minute wait times – without compromising the warmth and connection that define the Starbucks Experience. "This isn't just a reset—it's a recommitment to who we are when we are at our best," said Grams. "LE25 is our moment to recommit to a culture of hospitality and excellence. We're making progress, have real momentum with our "Back to Starbucks" plan and are on the right track to turn the business around." Since launching its Back to Starbucks strategy nine months ago, customers are already feeling the difference, with welcoming spaces, more confident baristas, faster service, and the return of small but meaningful touches like ceramic mugs, handwritten notes on cups, a more consistent dress code, and a much-loved customer favourite: the condiment bar. "Our turnaround is rooted in listening—to partners and customers—and taking action on what we hear," added Grams. "We're listening and testing in the coffeehouse, and then applying our learnings to scale quickly and enhance the customer and partner experience." Leading with Partners, Winning with Customers Starbucks continues to be a leader in partner (employee) care, offering competitive pay and industry-leading benefits such as a recently launched paid parental leave top-up benefit for all eligible Canadian store partners, equity in the form of stock, $5,000 in mental health benefits for eligible partners and more. Additionally, as part of its focus on making Starbucks the best job in retail, the company has established a goal to hire 90% of retail leaders from within, fostering a culture of growth and opportunity. "We believe a great partner experience fuels the customer experience," said Grams. "We always have more work to do, but our partners are rallying behind Back to Starbucks and telling us they like what they see. When our partners feel supported, our customers notice the difference too." Coffee and Craft Take Center Stage LE25 kicks off today with Starbucks largest-ever coffee tasting, featuring a first taste of the new Starbucks 1971 Roast™, available in the U.S. and Canada this Winter. The company is also celebrating the impact of its investment in the Global Farmer Fund, supporting long-term sustainability across Origin communities. LE25 will also spotlight the first-ever Starbucks Global Barista Championship— a celebration of Starbucks baristas who embody the company's commitment to community, connection and craft. Over the three-day competition, 12 baristas from around the world will showcase their coffee passion and expertise through a variety of skills and knowledge-based competitions. "We're returning to what made us iconic: handcrafted coffee, human connection, and a relentless focus on excellence," said Niccol. "We're reigniting the soul of Starbucks, together." Giving Back in Las Vegas This week, Starbucks is demonstrating how major events can be designed with sustainability and community in mind. LE25 is powered by 100% renewable electricity sourced within 500 miles of Las Vegas. Starbucks will donate any surplus food to its FoodShare partner Three Square Food Bank, divert food waste and coffee grounds from the event to local farms, and plant 10 trees per attendee to support reforestation efforts in South American coffee-growing communities. The Starbucks Foundation will invite attendees to vote for five local Las Vegas organizations to receive grants, with an estimated $100,000 to be donated to causes like hunger relief, homelessness, youth empowerment and more. The Starbucks Foundation is also donating a $10,000 Neighborhood Grant to each Barista Championship contestant's chosen nonprofit.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Leadership Experience 2025: Starbucks Rallies 14,000 North America Coffeehouse Leaders to Accelerate its 'Back to Starbucks' Strategy
TORONTO, June 10, 2025 /CNW/ - This week, Starbucks is hosting over 14,000 coffeehouse leaders from across North America at Leadership Experience 2025 (LE25) in Las Vegas—its largest leadership gathering ever and the first under chairman and CEO Brian Niccol and COO Mike Grams. "Getting 'Back to Starbucks' means refocusing on what has always set us apart — a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather, and where we serve the finest coffee, handcrafted by our skilled baristas," said Niccol. "We are bringing together our coffeehouse leaders from across North America to celebrate, empower and equip them to accelerate our transformation. The coffeehouse experience defines the Starbucks brand, and these leaders and their teams bring that experience to life for millions of customers every day." A New Era of Leadership and Customer ExperienceLE25 is an important milestone for Starbucks. Over three days, coffeehouse leaders will engage in immersive workshops, connect over new ways of working, hear directly from company leaders, and experience the first-ever Starbucks Global Barista Championship, celebrating craft, connection, excellence at its best. The event will accelerate Starbucks turnaround—centered on exceptional service, simplified routines, and deeper customer connections. Leaders will explore new innovations, clearer customer service standards, and a renewed focus on hospitality, including a goal of four-minute wait times – without compromising the warmth and connection that define the Starbucks Experience. "This isn't just a reset—it's a recommitment to who we are when we are at our best," said Grams. "LE25 is our moment to recommit to a culture of hospitality and excellence. We're making progress, have real momentum with our "Back to Starbucks" plan and are on the right track to turn the business around." Since launching its Back to Starbucks strategy nine months ago, customers are already feeling the difference, with welcoming spaces, more confident baristas, faster service, and the return of small but meaningful touches like ceramic mugs, handwritten notes on cups, a more consistent dress code, and a much-loved customer favourite: the condiment bar. "Our turnaround is rooted in listening—to partners and customers—and taking action on what we hear," added Grams. "We're listening and testing in the coffeehouse, and then applying our learnings to scale quickly and enhance the customer and partner experience." Leading with Partners, Winning with CustomersStarbucks continues to be a leader in partner (employee) care, offering competitive pay and industry-leading benefits such as a recently launched paid parental leave top-up benefit for all eligible Canadian store partners, equity in the form of stock, $5,000 in mental health benefits for eligible partners and more. Additionally, as part of its focus on making Starbucks the best job in retail, the company has established a goal to hire 90% of retail leaders from within, fostering a culture of growth and opportunity. "We believe a great partner experience fuels the customer experience," said Grams. "We always have more work to do, but our partners are rallying behind Back to Starbucks and telling us they like what they see. When our partners feel supported, our customers notice the difference too." Coffee and Craft Take Center Stage LE25 kicks off today with Starbucks largest-ever coffee tasting, featuring a first taste of the new Starbucks 1971 Roast™, available in the U.S. and Canada this Winter. The company is also celebrating the impact of its investment in the Global Farmer Fund, supporting long-term sustainability across Origin communities. LE25 will also spotlight the first-ever Starbucks Global Barista Championship— a celebration of Starbucks baristas who embody the company's commitment to community, connection and craft. Over the three-day competition, 12 baristas from around the world will showcase their coffee passion and expertise through a variety of skills and knowledge-based competitions. "We're returning to what made us iconic: handcrafted coffee, human connection, and a relentless focus on excellence," said Niccol. "We're reigniting the soul of Starbucks, together." Giving Back in Las VegasThis week, Starbucks is demonstrating how major events can be designed with sustainability and community in mind. LE25 is powered by 100% renewable electricity sourced within 500 miles of Las Vegas. Starbucks will donate any surplus food to its FoodShare partner Three Square Food Bank, divert food waste and coffee grounds from the event to local farms, and plant 10 trees per attendee to support reforestation efforts in South American coffee-growing communities. The Starbucks Foundation will invite attendees to vote for five local Las Vegas organizations to receive grants, with an estimated $100,000 to be donated to causes like hunger relief, homelessness, youth empowerment and more. The Starbucks Foundation is also donating a $10,000 Neighborhood Grant to each Barista Championship contestant's chosen nonprofit. To follow along and learn more about the highlights from this week's events, follow us on Leadership Experience 2025 Starbucks Global Barista Championship SOURCE Starbucks Coffee Company View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
