Starbucks Might Lose the War on Straws
In 2018 I heard rumors of Starbucks removing straws from their drinks with the goal of entirely phasing them out by 2020. Recently, the reality of 2020 hit me in the face. I walked into Starbucks to pick up my drink and I had to ask for a straw (gasp!) Of course, the barista gave me one without issue, but the future is here. Plastic straws are on the way out.
To be clear, many restaurants are getting rid of plastic straws. Starbucks is not alone in this quest, but they’re obviously a big name in the beverage industry. When they make a decision, other companies will notice. So their choice will like have a ripple effect on the food industry.
I also confess I love Starbucks. I spend more money than I’d like to admit there and I’m not going to stop. I respect their efforts to reduce waste and their focus on sustainability. That said, I also hold them to high regard when it comes to customer experiences and innovation, and this is where the issues lie.
If you’re familiar with the Starbucks menu, you may know the cold beverages draw more attention than the hot. Starbucks has received a lot of attention in recent years for its inclusion of cold brew coffee and it has always received recognition for its Frappuccinos. You’ll also know the omission of straws will almost exclusively impact cold beverages. I’ve seen people use straws in…
