Starbucks closes stores and cuts work
Affected employees will be notified this week and will be provided with transfer opportunities or retirement packages. (Scripps News)
Scripps News
Like almost everyone else, protein kick? At Starbucks, it is covered in a new protein latte and protein cold foam drink.
The Specialty Coffee chain announced a new protein menu option at the beginning of September, but is now available on September 29th.
In addition to lattes made with protein-rich milk and drinks, drinks made with protein-rich cold foam, other favorite drinks are made with an additional $2 (prices may vary by store) or $1 made with protein boosted milk with hot or iced milk made with milk for a $1.
The new protein lineup is part of Starbucks’ strategy to modernize its menu with new innovative options, the company said in a news release.
“As we continue to return to Starbucks, we focus on modernizing our menu with products worthy of innovative, relevant and hype that resonates with our customers,” Tressy Lieberman, Starbucks’ global chief brand officer, refers in a news release to a turnaround strategy launched by Brian Nicole, who became CEO in September 2024.
“Our new protein drinks bring out the growing consumer demand for protein in an innovative, premium and delicious way that only Starbucks can offer,” Lieberman said.
Also, as part of Back to Starbucks’ strategy, on September 25, the company announced that it would cut around 900 jobs and close over 400 Starbucks locations.
Starbucks has a new protein cold foam drink. This is the flavor
- Ice Banana Cream Protein Matcha: A green tea latte with unsweetened matcha and classic syrup, topped with a new banana protein cold foam (magnificent sized drink 24 grams of protein).
- Ice Vanilla Cream Protein Latte: A creamy iced latte topped with vanilla protein cold foam (26 grams of protein).
- Chocolate Cream Protein Cold Brew: Sweet sweetened with Signature Cold Brew Coffee, made with a layer of cold foam of chocolate protein and vanilla syrup (19 grams of protein).
Those who want to add protein cold foam to their favorite drinks can choose from flavors like banana, vanilla, sugar-free vanilla, chocolate, matcha, salted caramel, brown sugar, plain without sugar, and limited seasonal flavors such as pumpkin and pecans.
This addition gives you about 15 grams of extra protein per Grande-sized drink (there is an additional $2 fee, and prices may vary by store).
The new Starbucks Protein Latte comes in four flavors
Starbucks Protein Boost Milk is made daily by Coffee House Barista by blending creamy 2% milk with premium whey protein. Here are the new protein lattes on the menu:
- Sugar-free vanilla protein matcha: Unsweetened matcha is this matcha latte (28-36 grams of protein per hot or ice grande) combined with protein-enhanced milk and sugar-free vanilla syrup.
- Sugar Free Vanilla Protein Latte: Espresso and sugar-free vanilla syrup and protein boost milk (27-29 grams of protein).
- Protein matcha: It is made with unsweetened matcha containing classic syrup and protein boost milk (28-36 grams of protein).
- Vanilla Protein Latte: Espresso, protein-enriched milk, sweet vanilla (27-29 grams of protein).
Customers will replace protein-boosted milk with hot or iced drinks made with milk (additional charges of $1, prices may vary by store).
Contributions: Gabe Hauari, USA Today
Mike Snyder is a national trending news reporter for USA Today. You can follow him in the thread, send BlueSky, X with X and send him an email Bliss & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider &msnider@usatoday.com
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