Latest news with #StarbucksCEO
Bloomberg
15-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
How Starbucks Is Engineering a Turnaround With Warm Vibes and Cold Foams
By Brian Niccol is standing in the corner of a newly renovated Starbucks in Seattle on an afternoon in mid-April. Baristas are making iced cherry chai lattes and mocha Frappuccinos with whipped cream, and warming egg bites and croissants. Customers sit in plush mustard-colored chairs and on cushioned benches in an olive tone, surrounded by wood-paneled walls. 'I like it,' says Niccol, who took over as chief executive officer in September. 'I like the furniture. I like the lighting. I like the music.' Mostly he likes the vibe. People camping out, doing homework, chatting with friends. There's a guy preparing a tax return. 'Every seat is full,' Niccol says. 'That's what we want. What we should be able to do is have spaces for people that, if you want to socialize, you can socialize. If you want a moment for yourself, you have a moment for yourself.' He asks me what I think is the best seat in the house, and I tell him I'd tried a few as I alternated between grabbing a bite and working on my laptop. 'I want a great seat for whatever occasion you're having. If you want to eat, that's probably the best seat,' he says, pointing to the cushioned bench.
CBS News
14-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Starbucks reveals "secret" menu in coffee chain's app. Here's what you'll find.
Starbucks' "secret" menu is no longer hidden from the public. The coffee chain on Monday introduced previously hidden offerings for Starbucks rewards members in its mobile app. The menu allows customers with rewards accounts to access drink combinations not listed on its regular menu. Starbucks is offering four new drinks via its app: Cookies on top; a dragonfruit "glow-up"; lemon, tea and popping "pearls"; and a white mocha shaken espresso. The move is part of CEO Brian Niccol's efforts to win back customers and revive Starbucks' brand. The promotion comes after the company in February simplified its menu offerings as it tries to improve customer service. To drum up interest in the secret menu, Starbucks is also hosting a contest, which runs from July 14 to July 20, for customers to submit and vote on their favorite customized beverages. "Submit your best Grande custom drink and we'll see how it stacks up based on taste, creativity and fan appeal," Starbucks said on its website. Winners are eligible for up to $25,000 in prize money. Starbucks last month also changed how its charges for drink add-ons like syrups and match powder, charging a flat fee of 80 cents for any combination of sauces and syrups, including additional pumps. Previously, customers could face different charges for different flavors. Niccol is trying to boost Starbucks' growth by streamlining operations and making ordering and paying for drinks more transparent and straightforward. As part of that effort, the company said earlier this year it would lay off 1,500 workers.
