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Do You Drink Decaf Coffee?

YumSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:30:45 -0800

With the $2 billion business of decaffeinated coffee at a plateau, coffee companies are focusing their efforts on new "low-caf" blends. While decaf coffee has long been considered less flavorful, these breakthrough blends are genetically manipulated to be naturally lower in caffeine but complex in taste.

As an everyday coffee drinker, I hadn't realized that the decaf business was so lucrative, and was surprised to learn of the staggering numbers.

Clearly, there's a demand for caffeine-free coffee. Are you a committed decaf drinker? I'd love to hear your reasons in the comments below.

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Starbucks Renames Several Stores

YumSugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:37:46 -0700

This year alone, Starbucks has put its name on everything from instant coffee to super-premium ice cream, so it comes as a surprise that the corporate coffee titan is now moving to get rid of its name. The Seattle Times reports that the company is conducting a test to remove its ubiquitous name and mermaid logo from at least three of its Seattle stores and replace it with new names that emphasize the coffeehouses' surrounding neighborhoods. The first test location is slated to reopen next week bearing the new name 15th Avenue Coffee and Tea. The Starbucks corporate logo will be absent from the company's coffee and products and rebranded with the 15th Avenue Coffee and Tea name. To add to the classic coffeehouse vibe, the store will feature live music and poetry readings, a manual espresso machine, and wine and beer options.

The pilot comes at a time when large casual chains - including Starbucks - are suffering from sluggish sales and slower foot traffic. If the name change proves successful, the company may test this out in other markets. I find this step for Starbucks to be somewhat bizarre - but perhaps it's a measure that will ultimately pay off. What do you think of the move?

Source: Flickr User jimg944

Starbucks Aims to Be Healthier, Greener

YumSugar — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 03:30:47 -0700

America's largest coffee chain has decided to jump-start its own eco-friendly food revolution: Earlier this week, Starbucks announced it would be rolling out a new food menu on June 30 as part of its "Real Food. Simply Delicious" campaign. And yesterday, the chain said it would install new water faucets in its stores as part of an environmental initiative.

The company is reworking 90 percent of its baked goods, and eliminating high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, and food coloring from its products. Starbucks is also removing preservatives from items whenever possible, attempting to mimic the number of ingredients used in homemade baked goods. In addition, this Summer the coffee titan will test the viability of a Frappuccino formula that appeals to health-conscious consumers, and the chain will begin selling salads. Despite premium prices of natural ingredients, the company maintains these changes will not affect prices on its food menu.

Yesterday, Starbucks also revealed a plan to install new water faucets that meter out water across all US stores by September, a change that could save each café up to 150 gallons of water a day. It hopes to expand this green initiative internationally by Fall.

The coffee company continues to make frantic changes in hopes of reviving sales. I'm skeptical about whether these strategies will truly spark sales - since things like instant coffee, ciabatta-bread sandwiches, and value meals really haven't. Still, I'll admit I hope that health-conscious Frappuccino comes to market. What do you think of these changes?

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Up Next For Wendy's: Boneless Chicken Wings

YumSugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 05:50:20 -0700

Hoping to boost this year's sales - and prove that it's still "waaaay better than fast food" - fast food chain Wendy's has announced plans to unveil a new menu item, boneless chicken wings, later this month. The boneless wings - which will compete head to head with KFC's new Kentucky Grilled Chicken - come in three different flavors: Sweet & Spicy Asian, Honey BBQ, and Bold Buffalo. "Our new Boneless Wings are as far as it gets from fast food," Ken Calwell, Wendy's chief marketing officer, said. "Sweet & Spicy Asian wings are something you'd find at an upscale restaurant."

The new item will set you back $3.99 for seven to nine wings (depending on weight), and will be available in a combo meal for $5.69. Since I'm a buffalo wing fiend, I'll definitely check these out - although I'm skeptical about the idea of them being "upscale restaurant" fare. Still, with McDonald's doing froufrou coffee drinks and Burger King barbecuing ribs, the fast food climate seems to be changing. Do fast food's newest items interest you?

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Starbucks Hopes to Regain Footing With Adjusted Prices

YumSugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:00:08 -0700

So far, 2009 hasn't been any better for Starbucks than 2008, and the coffee giant continues to try and regain lost footing, hoping to make up for a 77 percent drop in profits last quarter. To promote value, Starbucks has announced plans to lower prices on basic drinks.

Beginning May 5, items such as the store's grande iced coffee will now retail for less than $2, giving some customers as much as 45 cents in savings. The catch? To make up for it, the coffee chain plans to increase prices on specialty drinks that are more complicated to make. Price adjustments are the latest development in a string of attempts to resuscitate sales this year. These offerings include promoting value pairings in store and tapping into the retail space with items such as instant coffee and premium ice cream. In recent weeks, Starbucks has also closed underperforming stores and announced plans to tap into the gluten-free market.

There's no question that many loyal Starbucks drinkers will be ecstatic about their morning drip getting cheaper - but I'm sure the opposite applies for steadfast specialty drinkers. What impact will this strategy have on your morning coffee break?

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Next Up at Starbucks: Value Meals

YumSugar — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:00:05 -0800

Feeling the sting from other chains such as McDonald's and Dunkin' Donuts, a desperate Starbucks announced last week that it will soon be introducing value meals of its own. The chain plans to launch value pairings in all its company-owned US stores on March 3. Although regular prices for food and drink items vary by store location, Starbucks claims the pairings will provide customers with an average savings of as much as $1.20. This strategy is the latest in a slew of tactics - from creating loyalty programs to ceasing brewing of decaf after noon - that the company has tried over the past year to recover from troubling sales numbers. To see the recession-friendly $3.95 breakfast pairings, which were revealed today, read more.

Tall latte and Starbucks Perfect Oatmeal
Tall latte and slice of reduced-fat cinnamon swirl cake
Tall drip coffee and new bacon sandwich with egg and gouda cheese
Tall drip coffee and new ham sandwich with egg and cheddar
Tall drip coffee and classic sausage, egg, and aged cheddar breakfast sandwich
Tall drip coffee and peppered bacon, egg, and aged cheddar breakfast sandwich
Tall drip coffee and Reduced-fat turkey bacon, cholesterol-free egg, and reduced-fat white cheddar breakfast sandwich

Considering the saga behind Starbucks' breakfast sandwiches, I'm interested in trying out the two new breakfast sandwich options come March.

Do you plan to utilize this new value pricing to your benefit? Do you think it will help the coffee chain turn its sales numbers around?

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While Casual Chains Drop Prices, Fast Food Trades Up

YumSugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 08:00:37 -0700

Regardless of its location, price point, or popularity, no restaurant has remained untouched by the deteriorating economy. While many high-end restaurants have made adjustments, some of the most drastic changes taking place are happening between fast and casual food chains.

Casual restaurant chains such as Applebee's, Chili's, and TGI Friday's have desperately tried to keep sales steady with bargain deals. Applebee's started the trend by appealing to cash-strapped diners with a limited-time offer for a large appetizer with two entrees for just $20. Chili's joined in soon after with a "ten under $7" value menu. Earlier this week, TGI Friday's slashed the prices of all sandwiches and salads to a mere $5.Ironically enough, fast food chains have focused on premium items. Late last year, Burger King aimed to go higher-end with a new line of ribs, and this August, McDonald's is coming out with a one-third-pound Angus beef burger that's priced at $3.99. The number one fast food chain has also been selling specialty coffee drinks at its McCafé stores.

As both segments expand their food offerings, the casual chain and fast food sectors have become somewhat redundant. Have you frequented more fast food or casual chains lately? Which do you think has a better business model?

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McDonald's Franchisees Confirm Plans For New Burger Rollout

YumSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:00:38 -0700

Burger aficionados: If you couldn't exactly get behind the Mac Snap Wrap, then perhaps you'll be interested in the newest patty being developed for the Golden Arches. According to Crain's Chicago Business, the nation's most popular fast food chain is busy planning the creation of its first new burger in eight years, a one-third-pound beef burger.

The McDonald's Angus Burger, as it's called, will be priced at $3.99, will contain a better grade of beef, and will roll out by August, according to franchisees and internal memos. The oversize burger is the fast food chain's answer to bigger, higher-end burgers like Carl's Jr.'s Six Dollar Burger, which has seen great success since its launch in 2001, and Burger King's XT Burger, released in 2004. McDonald's, which hasn't come out with a hit burger since the success of its Quarter Pounder in 1973, declined to comment.

With its focus on specialty coffee drinks and quality burgers, McDonald's seems to be moving in the direction of premium products. Do you think this is a smart strategy on the company's part, or will the economic recession put a damper on sales? Does the Angus burger appeal to you?

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Starbucks to Introduce Via Instant Coffee

YumSugar — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 03:00:33 -0800

If you thought Starbucks was uncouth to venture into the world of value meals, then wait until you hear its next supposed move. Ad Age is reporting that the struggling java chain is making plans to test soluble coffee in its stores.

Although Starbucks declined to comment on the launch, sources are saying plans to introduce the soluble coffee, to be called Via, will be announced next week. It could be sold in stand-alone cafés as early as next month. The company has reportedly been working on the instant product for years, hoping to market Via as a replica of Starbucks's store-bought brew.

It may seem out of place for a premium coffee chain like Starbucks to be competing with the likes of Folgers and Sanka, but considering the chain's desperate moves to revive dismal sales, I'm not entirely surprised. Do you see this as a smart move during a tough economy? Would you give Via a try?

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Starbucks Has a New Strategy: Sell in Subway Shops

YumSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:00:49 -0800

Hoping to put an end to hemorrhaging sales, Starbucks is moving full speed ahead with a new strategy. In addition to cutting workers' hours and streamlining recipes, the nation's largest coffee chain will be entering a partnership with the country's biggest sandwich franchise, Subway. Next month, select Subways will start selling Starbucks-owned Seattle's Best Coffee. In the six-month test launch, approximately 1,900 Subway sandwich shops will carry coffee blends, including the Seattle's Best Blend, Henry's Blend, and the 6th Avenue Bistro Blend. Subway has long wanted to tap into the morning market: earlier this year, Subway announced it would be rolling out a new line of cafés.

Still, I was taken aback to learn that it wouldn't be creating its own label. I'm also surprised to hear that, after closing 600 stores in 2008, Starbucks is expanding its coffee business yet again. Do you think it's a wise move? Would you hit up a Subway to get coffee?

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