Hi Everyone,

I stumbled across this article today...

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0218468320100302?type=marketsNews

Apparently, in response "to customer demand for larger cold beverages", Starbucks is testing a 31-oz size for their iced tea and iced coffee. They're calling it the "trenta".Yikes. :-\



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Shouldn't that be treinta? I suppose an Italian word for Big Gulp wasn't available.
Starbucks Melody

It's an interesting discussion, and for iced coffee and tea a huge margin item. But a 31 oz milk based drink yuk
I'm a little bit unclear as to whether or not "iced coffee" includes iced lattes and frappuccinos. But I imagine they could use it for any cold drinks.

Really I was just shocked by the phrase "customer demand". I can't imagine anyone wanting to consume that much milk, assuming they aren't ordering straight up iced coffee or tea. I realize that unless you request otherwise, Starbucks tends to fill the cup up with ice first... So the actual amount of liquid you are getting is not going to be 31 oz. Still, this sounds way over the top to me. You'd think the customers would cringe when they see the price tag, let alone the calorie count for something that big. :P
Knowing Starbucks, (worked for 5 years), it is only Iced Brewed Coffee and Teas.
Their blenders, at the moment, aren't big enough. Plus, I don't think they could get the profit margin necessary to justify Frapps and Milk drinks. But if the customer demands. ;)

Carter Quinn said:
I'm a little bit unclear as to whether or not "iced coffee" includes iced lattes and frappuccinos. But I imagine they could use it for any cold drinks.

Really I was just shocked by the phrase "customer demand". I can't imagine anyone wanting to consume that much milk, assuming they aren't ordering straight up iced coffee or tea. I realize that unless you request otherwise, Starbucks tends to fill the cup up with ice first... So the actual amount of liquid you are getting is not going to be 31 oz. Still, this sounds way over the top to me. You'd think the customers would cringe when they see the price tag, let alone the calorie count for something that big. :P
Georgia said:
...
...In the south where they are testing this I suppose people want extra ice to keep the drinks cold which means less room for the actual beverage.

That hasn't been my observation down here in the land of sweet tea. We do between half and 2/3 liquid in our "over ice" drinks. We sell a fairly good number of them and I can count on one hand the number of people that ask for more ice than that.

There just seems to be a big demand for larger drinks of all kinds. If we were to roll out "the huge" in a hot cup it'd be a best-seller for sure.
ew. i don't like it.
Carter,
In this retail coffee world it's all about marketing and trend creation to move product. Where it ends nobody knows. Who on the block is going to be the first to offer a Gientitus ? An Iced whatever drink in a foot ball game size cooler like they dump over the winning coach at the end of the game. Great for Tail gate pre or post game parties. We can even get your company's logo on the outside so they will come back for a 50 buck refill. Great souvenirs. =)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Joe

--
Ambassador for Specialty Coffee and palate reform.
this is why I have my own espresso bar at home
There is a chain called Gloria Jeans... its pretty disgusting the drink sizes they offer. They specialize mostly in frozen blended drinks (Chillers) and the sizes for cold drinks are: 16oz small, 24 oz medium, 32 oz large. One large chiller has well over half the recommended amount of calories for a day (Lg Chocolate Fudge Chiller- 898 Calories this site provides a nice visual aid for how much of a pie chart that occupies: http://www.calorieking.com/foods/calories-in-beverages-chiller-choc...). *shudder*
I would add "no comment" but say it makes me sick seeing an industry leader, in terms of visability NOT quality, leading consumers down this road. Unethical would not be too stronger word I would say.
OMG...Beam me up.

Lauren Rue said:

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