TikToker creates Starbucks’ ‘Bearista’ duck that goes viral
Starbucks’ Bearista appears to have sold out quickly across the U.S., and fans are scrambling to find creative ducks for the much-talked-about cup.
Starbucks is getting excited about the holiday season.
The specialty coffee chain announced 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 go 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, will hold an event in conjunction with Red Cup Day, where drinks will be served free of charge in reusable Holiday Red Cups, while supplies last.
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.
Nevertheless, Nicol offered encouragement for the company’s start to the holiday season.
“What struck me most was the comfort of the coffee house,” he said in a note. “The coffeehouse was well-staffed and supported by enthusiastic leaders. Partners worked as a team and had fun connecting with customers. Orders were taken with care and served on time, and our coffeehouse felt warm, welcoming, and full of joy.”
Starbucks reported positive U.S. same-store sales in September and October, following flat sales in the most recent quarter that ended Sept. 28, the company announced.
The increase is a sign that the company’s “Back to Starbucks” strategy, which includes “Green Apron Service,” an initiative to improve employee experience and customer service, is working, and customers are noticing, Nicol said.
“This is a Green Apron Service activity. It’s not just what you deliver, it’s how you deliver it,” he continued. “Every smile, every hello, and every personal note written on the cup counts. Our holiday drinks and reusable red cups bring customers in, but it’s the experiences our partners and your company create that keep them coming back.”
At the end of his memo, Nicol said, “I want to thank our employees for their great work, and thank you to our support teams for their dedication to making Green Apron Partners a success. Together, we are building the Green Wave. We are making the holiday season truly iconic, and we are delivering the best of Starbucks to our customers.”
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
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