This year on January 27 Starbucks made a new policy to benefit Starbucks customers. The new Starbucks policy is located in all Starbucks locations around the world, including in Targets and malls. Starbucks decided to create this new policy because the CEO wishes to strengthen their sales and decrease rates of declining sales. This policy is beneficial to customers because if you’re working or studying in a Starbucks, you can sit back and relax knowing you’ll get free refills of your favorite coffee or tea beverages for as long as you’re inside the cafe. It’s also beneficial for customers because they can save money on buying another entire drink. This policy is also beneficial to Starbucks workers and employees because they can keep loyal customers paying onsite and when new customers come in, the refills are beneficial to get more money.
Starbucks created this new refill policy because it’s a much more fair deal since the prices of drinks are increasing over time. The average amount of a coffee is about $2.85-$3.45, for a tea the average amount is $4.85-$5.75, for a refresher the average is $5.45-$6.45, for a blended beverage the average amount is $5.95-$6.95, for a hot chocolate the average is $2.75-$4.95, for a energy drink the average is $6.45, for a lemonade the average is $2.75-$5.25, for a steamer of your choice the average is $2.65-$3.75, and for a milk of your choice or extra creamer of the average is $2.65-$3.75.
Starbucks also has mugs and plates for danishes and drinks that are ordered “for here”. The Starbucks CEO has said that he wanted to elevate the cafe experience for customers and workers. Starbucks added this to the new policy because they want new customers and regular customers to stay longer. They have also created new cups that are made from fiber-based paper board with bioplastic liners. So, when you go through the drive thru at Starbucks in the morning and order your usual order, your drinks will come in these new cups. Starbucks has also started to write fun messages on cups for customers to enjoy! These messages can lighten up the customer’s mood and increase the chances of coming back. Another thing that is included in this policy is charging for water. Some Starbucks still give the choice of free water but in most locations the only free water that they provide is a size tall, anything bigger than that they charge for 25 cents.
The Saugus Scroll interviewed a Starbucks employee and asked him a few questions generally about how this new policy has affected everyone in different ways even how it may affect him and other employees.
Saugus Scroll: “How do you think customers feel about the Starbucks atmosphere today?”
Starbucks employee: “Our stores have always been more than just a place to get a drink. I think we’ve gathered a space where friendships form, and everyone is greeted by a welcoming employee. A visit to Starbucks is about connection and joy, and of course great coffee”.
Saugus Scroll: “How do you yourself feel about this new policy Starbucks has created and do you think it has changed the amount of customers visiting”.
Starbucks employee: “I feel this new policy is great for creating a whole different perspective on Starbucks and definitely drastically changed the amount of customers visiting. This new policy has created a more modern cafe effect on customers and I feel as if they feel more welcomed and comfortable because of it”.
The Starbucks refill policy can be beneficial for some people because instead of having to spend money on another drink because you already ran out, you can just ask for a refill. Some drinks are excluded from the refill policy. The drinks that are excluded from the Starbucks refill policy are cold brew, nitro cold brew, iced tea lemonade, flavored ice tea and Starbucks Refreshers. This may be upsetting for some customers but you could always get a refill of a hot or iced brewed coffee and tea.
