Value menu at Starbucks: A boon for consumers?
Filed under: Extracurriculars, Food
"How about the Perfect Oatmeal meal deal?"
"If you upgrade to a Grande Latte, and get the Pianini basket, you'll save 20 cents!"
Starbucks CEO Howard Schulz told investors last week that he was about to unveil "several breakfast pairings" at "attractive" prices, which everyone picked up on right away was simply fancy-schmancy-coffeeshop speak for "value menu." He'll be giving more details sometime in the next week, leaving us to wonder if it will be existing menu items, or new ones, that qualify for the, umm, "attractive pairings."
Will your budget make out well from this news?
Probably not. Now is a good time to remind you that corporations aren't giving away the store when they set pricing for meal deals. They're usually adding on undersold menu items to combinations that customers enjoy, but don't buy together often enough; in other words, they're just trying to get you to get comfortable with an order of several items, so you'll spend more of your food & beverage dollar at their establishment.
If Starbucks should happen to combine two or three items you already were buying together for a bargain price: great, go for it. (Though we should talk about how often you're going to Starbucks. Chat later?) Otherwise, avoid the "bargain," as your wallet won't be feeling very attractive, after all.



Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
2-03-2009 @ 6:10PM
Bobby said...
I rarely go to Starbuck's anyway. I am diabetic and the only thing they offer is a tasteless French Vanilla coffee. No frozen coffees or other flavors. Talk to me when you carry something my friends and I can actually enjoy.
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2-03-2009 @ 9:59PM
Cher said...
We have sugar free vanilla, sf hazelnut, sf caramel and sf Cinnamon Dolce (kind of a buttery cinn. flavor which is my favorite)
2-03-2009 @ 10:02PM
Angela said...
I think they have at least two or three syrups that are sugar free, and you should be able to request them added to coffee, iced coffee, latte, etc.
I like that they have healthier choices tha McDonald's for breakfast too.
2-03-2009 @ 10:25PM
Bill said...
I don't know what Starbucks you are going to but they have plenty sugar free choices. Instead of assuming they don't have something, I suggest that you ask. You may be shocked by the answer you get.
2-03-2009 @ 10:28PM
Carla said...
French Vanilla? At Starbucks? They sell no such thing. In fact, most of their employees hate when you use the term "French" Vanilla. See "French" vanilla is just a marketing ploy to get you to think you are getting something more "exotic" or "special". Now Starbucks does sell regular coffee that you can add regular US vanilla to.
And like others have said they offer a lot more flavors in sugar-free than "French" Vanilla...
2-04-2009 @ 12:02AM
sabrina said...
umm yea i worked at bux for over 2 years they have a lot of sugar free drinks...its just ignorant people like you that like to sound cool when you try to bash things you know nothing about
2-04-2009 @ 12:19AM
Gina said...
Where have you been? You claim you are diabetic........so you must have done your research......or not. Plenty of options - but obviously you just want to complain and be the one blaming everyone else for your lack of being proactive about your health and diet issues..........give me a break.
2-11-2009 @ 5:19AM
George said...
I'm diabetic and I go to Starbucks all the time ... the sugarfree flavors listed below are fine with me, wish they had kept the mocha. Mostly, though, I just enjoy coffee lattes without syrup. I also brew Starbucks at home, and thyey do a great job of mixing regular and decaf beans before grinding, so I can half good halfcaff brew.
2-07-2009 @ 11:28AM
crenkitup1 said...
speaking of cheap food, my gf bought me this cookbook called "Get in the Kitchen, BIT@HES!" (bitchcooks.com)- now whenever she comes over she says "What's for dinner BIT@H?" or " Get in the Kitchen, and make me some food, BIT@H!" .. Yeah.. real fun... so tonight, I am gonna put on the apron on the front page of the website, make her the dish called "Bend Me Over Beef" and shove it up her butt... how you like them apples, sweetie pie?
2-07-2009 @ 12:59PM
Terri said...
ARe you seriously stating that "your" Starbucks has but ONE item for sale and it's a vanilla flavored hot coffee? I think corporate wants to hear from you buddy! For now go to 7/11 they have a half dozen syrups and at least 6 flavored coffees, also another half dozen different flavors of creamers. Diabetic, why bemoan the flavorings anyway? You're better off without the coffee. Oh yeah, double up with the idiot spending 25.00 a day on his lattes meeting faux friends.
2-03-2009 @ 8:32PM
Jason said...
I don’t drink coffee, so I don’t have a prejudice. The company I work for provides free coffee for the employees. They let them select the coffee brand by a taste comparison survey of three brands, including Starbucks.
Starbucks came in third.
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2-03-2009 @ 8:49PM
Fat Fuk Frank said...
Sorry Starbucks you can't beat two Egg McMuffins for 2 bucks! Besides, portobello mushroom, spinach, ricotta?? Sounds like something at an Italian restaurant not what I want to munch on when I am having my morning coffee.
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2-03-2009 @ 9:00PM
thesby said...
i only drink starbucks coffee but what if they start serving pancakes?
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2-03-2009 @ 9:21PM
Shar said...
Starbucks has the best iced tea in the world.
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2-03-2009 @ 9:51PM
Gina said...
Starbucks does sell sugar-free lattes Bobby, not just french vanilla coffee, which you cannot have if you are a diabetic. As far as the breakfast sandwiches, the portabello mushroom piadini is not all that bad, sounds wierd and from some italian resturant, but its pretty tasty. And as far as Stgarbucks coffee tasting, the coffee may not be brewed correctly so you are not getting the full flavor. Try using a french press to pull out all the flavor of the coffe.
And yes I do work for Starbucks.
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2-03-2009 @ 9:57PM
rosemary said...
I don't care for Starbucks coffee other than when they have the pumpkin spice cappucinos.
Most flavors arent that great.
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2-03-2009 @ 10:01PM
Ellen said...
Diabetic? Starbucks offers many combinations including Caramel in hot AND iced beverages that are tasty and sugar free - ask your barrista to assist you - they're there to make your experience a great one - if not, ask for the manager...
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2-03-2009 @ 10:02PM
vickie said...
Bobby, try the sugar free carmel or vanilla latte. I really enjoy them.
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2-03-2009 @ 11:13PM
David Williams said...
No wonder the folks at Starbucks didn`t panic when McDonald`s announced they would sell blended and specialty coffees. They ARE McDonald`s.
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2-03-2009 @ 10:46PM
Tia said...
Who cares? They still suck
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