Hear how Starbucks workers go on strike on Red Cup Day
Starbucks workers across the U.S. are leading a strike as the coffee chain and union groups struggle to reach a collective bargaining agreement.
Starbucks has announced a new holiday-themed drink. However, it cannot be purchased at regular independent coffee houses.
The coffee chain tells USA TODAY that Frozen Peppermint Hot Chocolate will be available exclusively at Starbucks at Target stores starting November 18th. Target Circle 360 members had early access to this drink on November 17th.
According to Starbucks, the drink features a creamy Frappuccino base blended with mocha sauce, milk, and ice, poured over a layer of peppermint-flavored whipped cream and red and green sprinkles, and finished with a shake of peppermint-flavored whipped cream and red and green sprinkles.
Starbucks Red Cup Day and Red Cup Day Rebellion
The coffee chain recently had its biggest sale day ever in North America on November 6, the day the Starbucks holiday menu and products, including the popular glass Bearista cup, went on sale.
And Thursday, November 13th, the company’s annual Red Cup Day, also became Red Letter Day for Starbucks. “We had the strongest Reusable Red Cup Day in our company’s history,” CEO Brian Nicol told employees in an internal letter shared with USA TODAY. “This is incredible. It shows what is possible if we continue to focus on our customers and set up our Green Apron partners to deliver a great experience in every coffeehouse.”
Nicol has overseen the “Return to Starbucks” strategy since the former Chipotle CEO left the company to become CEO of Starbucks in September 2024. Changes include simplifying and revamping the menu to reduce wait times and improve quality, as well as opening some new locations, renovating them, and closing some locations.
The company also faced the Red Cup Rebellion, an employee strike by Starbucks Workers United at some of its stores on November 13th. Starbucks Workers United, the union representing some of the chain’s baristas, is holding an event in conjunction with Red Cup Day, where drinks will be served in a limited number of free, reusable holiday red cups.
The company said less than 1% of its coffeehouses had been affected by the labor movement as of Nov. 13, and the vast majority of its more than 10,000 company-owned stores were open and serving customers as usual.
Gabe Hauari is USA TODAY’s national trends news reporter. You can follow him at X @gabehauari Or email Gdhauari@gannett.com.
Mike Snyder is a national trends news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, and X, and email him at: mike snyder & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com
