Entering a local Starbucks may come with a bit of a surprise when looking at the menu, due to the recent menu change that welcomes seasonal drinks and removed some other beverages.
Starbucks was founded in 1971, and has since been a popular coffee chain around the world. However, they are implementing a new menu change that began March 4, including the removal of 13 drinks. They are cutting out the Iced Matcha Lemonade, Espresso Frappuccino, Java Chip Frappuccino, Chai Creme Frappuccino, Caffe Vanilla Frappuccino, White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino, Caramel Ribbon Crunch Creme Frappuccino, Double Chocolaty Chip Creme Frappuccino, Chocolate Cookie Crumble Creme Frappuccino, White Chocolate Creme Frappuccino, White Hot Chocolate, Honey Almond Milk Flat White and the Royal English Breakfast Latte. Starbucks is also introducing the Jalapẽno Chicken Pocket, which will be a permanent menu item. The temporary items are the Iced Cherry Chai, Cherry Cream Cold Foam and Lavender Cream Cold Foam. There will also be a reintroduction of the Lavender beverages. However, although these are being added, Woodside students still like familiar favorites.
“I probably visit [Starbucks] four times a week, and I usually order a Strawberry Açai Lemonade,” sophomore Rosie Torres said.
Starbucks said that they decided on the menu change with the goal of simplifying their menu so more popular drinks could be refined and be the center of attention. They claim the changes will reduce wait times, improve quality and consistency, promote innovation and preserve their core values.
“[I think Starbucks is removing items] because they are more expensive to make,” freshman Lyla Mayer said. “People aren’t buying them as much, so they’re not making money off of [the removed items].”
Mayer’s assumption aligns with Starbucks’ statement as Starbucks said those drinks were too similar to others on the menu or too hard to make. Another reason the drinks were removed was due to them being unpopular. Mayer said that she goes to Starbucks three to four times a week, but also did not tend to order the removed drinks.
“I really only drink the Strawberry Açai Lemonade, so I don’t really miss any drinks,” Mayer said.
The popularity of the Strawberry Açai Lemonade makes it unlikely that it will be removed from the menu. However, Starbucks said more food and drinks are going to leave the menu over the next few months. They claim they will eventually have around a 30% reduction of the menu by the end of the U.S. 2025 fiscal year or late Sept. 2025. Woodside students think Starbucks should incorporate more customer feedback into their system.
“I don’t miss those drinks,” Torres said. “I never got them, but I think they should have had some sort of voting on it [about] what drinks they should remove versus what they should keep.”
