Starbucks bought out clover! (And they'll be rolling out a new espresso machine --still automated-- and a new loyalty program). But they bought out Clover!!!!
I'm constipated!
Thursday, March 20, 2008 - Page updated at 12:00 AM
Buying Clover: Starbucks plans to buy Ballard-based Coffee Equipment Co., maker of the highly regarded Clover single-cup brewer.
Customer-loyalty program: Beginning in April, registered Starbucks Card customers get certain syrups and milk alternatives free, so that a tall vanilla soy latte will cost the same as a plain tall latte. They also will receive a free tall beverage each time they buy a pound of whole-bean coffee, and free refills on brewed coffee.
New automated espresso machines: The new machine, called Mastrena, was designed to narrow the margin for error in pulling espresso shots.
New coffee blend: Called Pike Place Roast, it will be available as a regular and decaf brew at U.S. stores beginning in mid-April. Customers who buy the beans for home will have them hand-scooped into bags by baristas rather than grabbing a prepackaged, flavor-locked bag.
The company's new initiatives include buying Ballard-based Coffee Equipment Co., the maker of the highly regarded Clover single-cup commercial brewer. Details about the deal were not disclosed.
Clover, which has 11 employees and is privately held, sold its first machine in 2006 and has become a sensation in the coffee world.
Schultz said he first drank coffee from a Clover machine in New York, where a cup was selling for $7.
"How do you do that?" he jokingly asked the company's co-founder and chief executive, Zander Nosler, on stage at Starbucks' annual meeting.
Starbucks has tested the Clover machines at stores in Seattle and Boston and charges about $2 to $3 a cup.
There are only a couple of hundred Clover machines in coffee shops and high-end personal kitchens worldwide, Nosler said. The retail price for the commercial machine, which requires plumbing and higher voltage than found in most kitchens, is $11,000.
Starbucks also unveiled a new espresso machine. Unlike the Clovers, espresso machines are the equipment workhorses at its coffee shops, cranking out the coffee for lattes and other espresso-based beverages.
The new machines, called Mastrena, will be manufactured in Switzerland by Thermoplan, the same company that makes Starbucks' current machines.
The companies are not disclosing the cost of switching machines.
The new machines will begin rolling out next month, replacing the Verismo automated machines Starbucks introduced in 2000.
Before that, it used manual machines from La Marzocco, which are still in stores in some international markets.
The Mastrena is about 7 inches shorter than Starbucks' current machines, allowing baristas to interact with customers more easily while they make drinks.
They also time the length of each shot so baristas can adjust the grind, if necessary, and how much steam comes out of their steaming wands.
While likely to disappoint some longing for the return of old-school manual machines, the Mastrena is about seven inches shorter than machines in stores now, making it easier for baristas to interact with customers.
'It's not just a piece of equipment,' Schultz said of machine made by Thermoplan, the same Swiss company that makes Starbucks' current machines. 'It's an unbelievable tool that will provide us with the highest-quality, consistent shot of espresso that will be second to none.'
Among other initiatives to revive Starbucks' flagging growth is a loyalty program for Starbucks Card users and a new drip coffee called Pike Place Roast.
Schultz said more changes are in store, including offerings in the "health and wellness" business and entry into the fast-growing energy-drink market later this year.
Wednesday's announcements are the second wave of changes Schultz has introduced since returning as CEO in January. In February, Starbucks said it would cut about 600 jobs and close about 100 underperforming U.S. stores this year.
Since then, he has had employees retrained, offered free Wi-Fi to certain customers and said the chain will stop selling warmed breakfast sandwiches.
Melissa Allison: 206-464-3312 or mallison@seattletimes.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Thanks for the invite, sister Hon. I am very happy and blessed to know you. I think that box of wine and Duckworth combination should be served up soon...
much love from up north...
At 4:06pm on February 25, 2008, Jason Dominy said…
Yes, grk, as he calls himself. And the beard thing, it comes and goes like the seasons, and sometimes, WITH the seasons. It's tricky trying to nail that guy down. He is a great coffee guy, though, and someone I look up to. Cheers. (Hey, wait, grk says that....)
At 10:30am on February 25, 2008, Jason Dominy said…
Gregory Kolsto? THE Gregory Kolsto??? Of course I know him. I worked under him at Krispy Kreme. I was trying to learn the roasting side of coffee. If there's anyone I greatly respect in this industry, it's Gregory. I wouldn't have the passion about coffee I have now if it weren't from catching it from him. I remember the first time I met him, the passion he had for coffee almost brought me to tears. He's a true asset to our industry, and am sure he's doing good things over there at Parisi. (And the guy rock climbs like it's nobody's business.)
thanks sandy. I've never really commented back to any of your comments, but I've sure meant to. (I'm slowly getting into the social aspect of the internet). But I really look forward to talking with you person to person, probably minnesota? or are you going to the mid atlantic jam....I'm not sure it I am going yet. either way, I'll see you soon.
notice the pinkie sticking in the air. I predict that our eyes will lock in the near future.
At 8:24am on February 22, 2008, Chris Berola said…
Its from a pub crawl last fall in waldo. A nice hole in the wall bar after too many cocktails, as per the Budweiser sign over my shoulder.
I don't have a problem with white women, they have problems with me. Something about not showering enough, I don't know I wasn't really listening.
At 2:35pm on February 19, 2008, Chris Berola said…
I think it paints me as a sympathetic character trying not to be chewed up and swallowed by the white woman. It shows people that not all chubby white males are empowered enough to be holding down the other races and females.
That and I do have my mohawk in that one, I miss it.
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Sandy Hon's Comments
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i feel that the specialty cofffee community was used as a test site.
i feel so violated..
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1221296/
I'm constipated!
Thursday, March 20, 2008 - Page updated at 12:00 AM
Buying Clover: Starbucks plans to buy Ballard-based Coffee Equipment Co., maker of the highly regarded Clover single-cup brewer.
Customer-loyalty program: Beginning in April, registered Starbucks Card customers get certain syrups and milk alternatives free, so that a tall vanilla soy latte will cost the same as a plain tall latte. They also will receive a free tall beverage each time they buy a pound of whole-bean coffee, and free refills on brewed coffee.
New automated espresso machines: The new machine, called Mastrena, was designed to narrow the margin for error in pulling espresso shots.
New coffee blend: Called Pike Place Roast, it will be available as a regular and decaf brew at U.S. stores beginning in mid-April. Customers who buy the beans for home will have them hand-scooped into bags by baristas rather than grabbing a prepackaged, flavor-locked bag.
The company's new initiatives include buying Ballard-based Coffee Equipment Co., the maker of the highly regarded Clover single-cup commercial brewer. Details about the deal were not disclosed.
Clover, which has 11 employees and is privately held, sold its first machine in 2006 and has become a sensation in the coffee world.
Schultz said he first drank coffee from a Clover machine in New York, where a cup was selling for $7.
"How do you do that?" he jokingly asked the company's co-founder and chief executive, Zander Nosler, on stage at Starbucks' annual meeting.
Starbucks has tested the Clover machines at stores in Seattle and Boston and charges about $2 to $3 a cup.
There are only a couple of hundred Clover machines in coffee shops and high-end personal kitchens worldwide, Nosler said. The retail price for the commercial machine, which requires plumbing and higher voltage than found in most kitchens, is $11,000.
Starbucks also unveiled a new espresso machine. Unlike the Clovers, espresso machines are the equipment workhorses at its coffee shops, cranking out the coffee for lattes and other espresso-based beverages.
The new machines, called Mastrena, will be manufactured in Switzerland by Thermoplan, the same company that makes Starbucks' current machines.
The companies are not disclosing the cost of switching machines.
The new machines will begin rolling out next month, replacing the Verismo automated machines Starbucks introduced in 2000.
Before that, it used manual machines from La Marzocco, which are still in stores in some international markets.
The Mastrena is about 7 inches shorter than Starbucks' current machines, allowing baristas to interact with customers more easily while they make drinks.
They also time the length of each shot so baristas can adjust the grind, if necessary, and how much steam comes out of their steaming wands.
While likely to disappoint some longing for the return of old-school manual machines, the Mastrena is about seven inches shorter than machines in stores now, making it easier for baristas to interact with customers.
'It's not just a piece of equipment,' Schultz said of machine made by Thermoplan, the same Swiss company that makes Starbucks' current machines. 'It's an unbelievable tool that will provide us with the highest-quality, consistent shot of espresso that will be second to none.'
Among other initiatives to revive Starbucks' flagging growth is a loyalty program for Starbucks Card users and a new drip coffee called Pike Place Roast.
Schultz said more changes are in store, including offerings in the "health and wellness" business and entry into the fast-growing energy-drink market later this year.
Wednesday's announcements are the second wave of changes Schultz has introduced since returning as CEO in January. In February, Starbucks said it would cut about 600 jobs and close about 100 underperforming U.S. stores this year.
Since then, he has had employees retrained, offered free Wi-Fi to certain customers and said the chain will stop selling warmed breakfast sandwiches.
Melissa Allison: 206-464-3312 or mallison@seattletimes.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
??????????????????????????????????????????
Peace.
much love from up north...
I'm staying at the host hotel. See you there?
i'm flying in on tuesday or wednesday in my VW. i just got a new flight suit. you?
I don't have a problem with white women, they have problems with me. Something about not showering enough, I don't know I wasn't really listening.
That and I do have my mohawk in that one, I miss it.
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Are you enjoying Barista Exchange? Is it helping you promote your business and helping you network in this great industry? Donate today to keep it free to all members. Supporters can join the "Supporters Group" with a donation. Thanks!