UPDATED JANUARY 5, 2017
As if Starbucks hasn't entered the food game full force already, they're about to make your breakfast a little fancier and tastier. Introducing Sous Vide Egg Bites, available at participating Starbucks locations throughout the U.S. and Canada starting January 10.
Source: Popsugar
If you don't know what "sous vide" means, you're not alone - I don't know either. It turns out to be a cooking technique that requires food to be sealed in an air-tight container and cooked in temperature-controlled water. These fluffy, poppable breakfast treats are made with cage-free eggs and come in two flavors. The Bacon & Gruyere is made with aged Gruyere, Monterey Jack cheese, and Applewood-smoked bacon. The second one comes sans meat with cottage cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, spinach, and roasted red peppers. I'm actually very intrigued and would love to try these. What do you think?
According to Time Money, Starbucks will soon be opening a few stand-alone Italian bakeries in Seattle, New York, and Chicago. These three locations are slated to open late 2017 to early 2018. If this venture expands, this means that your local Starbucks may no longer house crafty baristas but bakers as well!
Food Companies
Starbucks invested in Italian bakery Princi back in July and plans to offer "focaccia bread in lunch wraps and pizza on dinner menu" in their debut locations. Coffee and pizza... what could be better eh?
You already enjoy Mocha Frappuccinos and Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Starbucks. Now there’s another reason to stop in your favorite coffee shop more often: brunch. That’s right, now you can enjoy some yummy food while sipping on your caffeinated beverages.
Self.com
Starbucks is now offering brunch at many of its locations. The menu isn’t that extensive, and it’s not available at all locations just yet, but it is better than eating a muffin or slice of banana bread. On September 3rd, 78 Starbucks locations in Seattle and Portland debuted the new menu, which consists of three items: Belgian waffles, quiche, and baked French toast. The brunch menu is available only on weekends from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until the food runs out. So get there early for best results.
This isn’t the first time the popular coffee chain has tried a brunch menu. All three items have been available at certain locations at least once. Starbucks didn’t disclose details about if and when other locations will get brunch items, but it will likely give the three menu items a trial run before offering them at all locations every morning. It’s expected that the brunch menu won’t be a permanent fixture and will instead be a limited time engagement lasting maybe 6 to 8 weeks.
Brandeating.com
Statistics show that food sales have been a high point for Starbucks over the past several years. From 2015 to 2016, sales of breakfast sandwiches increased by a whopping 40%, according to Fortune. Breakfast sandwiches were first introduced in 2007 and at that time, Starbucks had to invest in high-speed ovens.
The investment paid off, and the sandwiches have been a hot seller ever since. This is especially true since many people are looking for quick grab-and-go meals that they can easily eat on their way to work or at their desk. Breakfast sandwiches fit that bill perfectly, but what about quiche and waffles? They may not be ideal breakfast choices for commuters, but on the weekends when most people want to hang out and relax? Waffles and French toast are definitely good fits in this regard.
SEE MORE: New Starbucks Loyalty Rewards Program Goes Live
Starbucks has been hard at work creating the ultimate customer experience, called “Third Place.” The term “Third Place” comes from the goal to become the third place that people go to (home, work, Starbucks). The goal of Starbucks is to be your home away from home – a comfy place where you can work, hang out with friends or simply relax.
Ibtimes.co.uk
Customers who go through the drive-thru window to collect their daily dose of coffee don’t get to experience the ambiance that Starbucks struggles to maintain. They’re there for the coffee and that’s it. However, there are many other customers who think of Starbucks as more than just a coffee house. It’s an experience.
SEE MORE: Here's How to Order Guilt-Free Starbucks Drinks
This experience includes free Wi-Fi, comfortable chairs, the aroma of coffee and a bunch of fun, lively people. The managers at Starbucks want customers to have not only a good experience but a great one. That because, on average, a person who has had a bad experience at any establishment will tell seven people. If you have an issue with the service, your order or anything in general, managers want to make things right. Starbucks truly cares about its customers. The company has invested a lot of time and money into the concept of customer service.
So what does this mean in terms of the new weekend brunch? It means that you can hang out longer at Starbucks and enjoy your waffles, quiche or French toast. You’re your next brunch at Starbucks. Enjoy the new brunch menu with your friends or family and you can truly make Starbucks your third home.
