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Let's Dish: What Is Your Daily Coffee Order?

partysugar — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 04:00:07 -0800

Whether it's the biggest food holiday of the year or just another regular day, one thing is consistent: I wake up in the morning craving coffee! While I could easily brew up a batch at home, I prefer to pick up my espresso from the closest coffee shop — be it a small boutique cafeteria or large-in-charge Starbucks. The coffee common denominator? My order. I get the same thing every day: a double short cappuccino. I have a feeling I'm not the only one out there who starts her morning (or afternoon) with a routine cup of joe, so I want to know: What is your signature coffee drink?

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Starbucks Embarks on Product (RED) Campaign

YumSugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:15:27 -0800

Despite its staggering fourth-quarter drop in sales, number one coffee retailer Starbucks has announced a multiyear partnership with charity campaign Product (RED).

From Nov. 27 to Jan. 3 in the US and Canada, Starbucks will donate five cents from the sale of any Starbucks (RED) beverage to the Global Fund to help save lives in Africa.

The exclusive Starbucks (RED) beverages include the Espresso Truffle, Peppermint Mocha Twist, and Gingersnap Latte. And on Dec. 1, the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, Starbucks will be donating five cents for every Starbucks beverage that's made to order.

The chain is going through great effort to get the word out about the new campaign. Instead of their signature green getups, baristas will sport red aprons to highlight the partnership. This Friday, Nov. 28, Starbucks and celebrity chef Mario Batali will take over Times Square, passing out free (RED) coffee beverages. Other celebrities supporting the cause, like Mary-Louise Parker, Helena Christensen, and Annabella Sciorra, will also be on hand at the event.

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Does Interior Design Matter at Your Coffee Shop?

YumSugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:25:00 -0800

Does Interior Design Matter at Your Coffee Shop? According to the Herald Tribune, Starbucks is undergoing a design overhaul of its interiors. I'm curious whether a coffee shop's design influences whether or not you'll order a latte. Does design influence your preferences out of the home?

Does Interior Design Take Priority at Your Coffee Shop?

casasugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:01:55 -0800

According to the Herald Tribune, in addition to its new/old logo, Starbucks is undergoing a design overhaul of its interiors. The java monopolist has brought back designer/architect Arthur Rubinfeld to his old post to change things up. Rubinfeld has presented a new design, which may include, "energy-efficient lighting, new furniture using reclaimed materials, and modular merchandising racks, [as well as] new paintings that evoke the company's coffee heritage." I'm sure Starbucks knows what it's doing, so I don't doubt the changes will be beneficial. I'm curious, though, whether a coffee shop's design influences whether or not you'll order a latte. Does design influence your preferences out of the home? Source

Does Interior Design Take Priority at Your Coffee Shop?

Yes, interior design is important to me wherever I go.

If I'm on the go, I couldn't care less. But, if I want to drink my coffee and stay a while, design matters.

No, so long as the food, drinks, and service meet my standards, design doesn't have an influence.

Other, I'll tell you in the comments.

Five Freebies You Can Get Just For Voting!

Molly — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 03:00:00 -0800

It's Election Day! Along with the perk of this long campaign season finally coming to an end, some generous establishments and organizations have decided to reward you for voting. All you need is that magic sticker, or in some cases just your word, to have a day full of coffee, food, entertainment and even a new piercing. Check out this slideshow and see if any of these freebies will make it into your Election Day.

Vote Tomorrow, Score Free Food

YumSugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:00:12 -0800

Tomorrow, I'll be finding several ways to celebrate being an American. Obviously, I'm hitting up PartySugar and LibertySugar's election-night bash, but beforehand I'll cash in on some free food.

Present your "I Voted" sticker at Krispy Kreme and receive a sprinkle-studded, star-shaped doughnut at no cost. For a nice breakfast pairing, head to Starbucks, tell them you voted, and you'll get a free 12-ounce cup of coffee. And for dessert, go to any Ben & Jerry's between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. to score a free scoop of ice cream.

Despite the fact that some are calling the promotions illegal, I think these freebies are a wonderful way to promote the vote. Plus, what better way to stay peeled to the results than with a delicious bargain?

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Dunkin' Donuts Claims to Beat Starbucks in Coffee Taste Test

YumSugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:30:32 -0700

As colossal coffee chain Starbucks struggles to keep up with past profit margins, its competitors continue to move in for the kill. Earlier this month, breakfast chain Dunkin' Donuts introduced its version of a recession deal. Now, in its latest ad campaign, the chain is claiming it beat Starbucks in a blind taste test.In the campaign, Dunkin' Donuts, which is currently in the middle of a national expansion effort, airs a new TV spot and launched a website, Dunkin' Beat Starbucks, that will highlight the results of the taste test.

The blind taste test, conducted by A&G Research, polled 476 adults in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle. According to a press release from the chain, 54.2 percent of participants surveyed preferred Dunkin' Donuts coffee to the 39.3 percent who preferred Starbucks coffee. Another 6.3 percent had no preference between the two.

I'm slightly surprised by the results: I recently had Dunkin' Donuts coffee, and found that I still prefer the coffee from Starbucks. What about you? Are you impressed by the study's results, or are you skeptical of the findings?

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Dennis Quaid Wants a Latte

GiggleSugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:10:00 -0700

If I thought Dennis Quaid was hot before (and yes, I did), I think he's super hot now. (Men, it's true — we love guys with a sense of humor.) Basically, Ellen DeGeneres wired him up to receive her instructions. Dennis had to walk into Starbucks and say whatever she told him, while a hidden camera recorded his egomaniacal antics and the poor barista's responses. I would never have the nerve to do this! So hilarious.

What's Your Coffee Syrup of Choice?

YumSugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:15:31 -0700

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Starbucks' Holiday Strategy: Deep Discounts, Loyalty Programs

YumSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:15:00 -0700

Amid slipping sales, Starbucks Coffee has unveiled several plans to boost holiday consumer spending.

This year, the coffee titan will sell five $20 gift cards for the discounted price of $80 — the first time ever that Starbucks has offered a gift card for less than face value. These gift cards, available only at discount retailer Costco, have been flying off shelves. In the promotion's first month, the company has sold nearly 1 million gift cards.

Starbucks is also rolling out its new gold-card loyalty program. The gold card, which can be purchased for $25, allows cardholders 10 percent off most items except gift cards and digital downloads. The company anticipates that millions of gold cards will be sold to customers who are existing cardholders of the regular Starbucks card, as it will save them more money.

Holiday gifts will also be at a lower price point this year. Many stores will also have $10 or less gift tables, and some items, such as CDs and coffee samplers, will retail at a price that is roughly 13 percent lower than similar items last year.

Do you think these promotions will increase sales, or is Starbucks trying too many different things at once? Will you be signing up for the gold card, or racing to Costco for the discounted gift cards?

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