Starbucks joins the fast food value club

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:04:01 GMT

By Thalia Armijo/Staff Reporter

photo courtesy of starbucks online
Starbucks has entered the world of fast food with its new Starbucks VIA Ready Brew coffee. It has also introduced a new line of “value meals” that include a coffee plus an oatmeal, egg sandwich or coffee cake for under $4.

As the country is currently facing a tough stage and the economy tumbles, many companies, due to the present economic crisis, were almost forced to come up with the popular “dollar menus,” such as McDonalds and Wendy’s. Starbucks, our beloved and favorite coffee and the largest coffeehouse company in the world, has been announcing their several discount offers and breakfast pairings food. To all coffee lovers, it might seem like a favorable coincidence that offering $1 cup of coffee is just the right move to save up money. With more than 15,000 stores worldwide, consumers enjoy the Starbucks experience in countries from Peru to South Korea. Their flavorful coffee is what enriches every customer’s experience through high quality. However, we are not talking about a $1 latte; instead it is a $1 short cup of coffee. Nobody would think that such a predominant brand would finally come up with new value meals for their loyal customers. Now the question is will the quality be same? Or is it just another regular coffee that you could buy anywhere at the same price or just make it at home? We are talking about the Starbucks that has branded themselves with a high quality coffee reputation in the market. It probably depends on the customer who believes in the whole “Starbucks experience” or simply wants a sip of coffee from their trustworthy coffee company. I actually think it is a good strategy for Starbucks to offer a reasonably priced cup of coffee. The customer will actually save a good amount of money from the small discount size coffee. As a customer, a caramel macchiato plus a muffin or sandwich runs up to $8.75. Many of those who have become addicted to the coffee aroma in the mornings before going to school or work now can choose from an alternative. Instead of spending more than $4 on a latte, you can now sip on a Starbucks coffee for only $1. On March 3, Starbucks began offering a value meal for $3.95 where you get a coffee plus an oatmeal, egg sandwich or coffee cake. These are pairings for less than $4 which includes not only the drink, but also food for a convenient price. Dunkin Donuts offers, from Tuesday to Friday from 2 to 5 pm, the 99 cent regular latte or iced latte and many other coupons and promotions which make them more affordable. McDonald’s has its Dollar Menu and its own McCafe line that offers coffee drinks that cost 69 cents. Starbucks will also be launching a new line of instant coffee called Starbucks VIA Ready Brew, which will be available in its cafes, Targets and Barnes and Nobles. The company is trying to reinvent itself through Starbucks VIA and the fresh Tazo tea drinks. According to CNN Howard Schultz, Starbucks’ chairman and chief executive had announced for the company “innovation, competition, and value.” Let’s just hope prices don’t change the quality of the product and they continue the legacy for which they became famous.

The Viper Vibe

Starbucks joins the fast food value club