In an effort to decrease wait times and improve drink consistency, on March 4 Starbucks will be cutting 13 drinks off their menu. They are starting with drinks they deem “less popular”, complicated to make, or too similar to other drinks on the menu, with the end goal of a 30% menu reduction by the end of the year.
Retiring 30% of the menu will ideally simplify the menu for both workers and customers, as well as make room for new seasonal drinks.
Starbucks has already announced a new Cherry Chai drink and a Jalapeno Chicken Pocket in addition to the return of lavender themed drinks starting this spring.
So, without further ado, the first 13 cut from the menu are as follows:
- Caffe Vanilla Frappuccino
- Caramel Ribbon Crunch Creme Frappuccino
- Chai Creme Frappuccino
- Chocolate Cookie Crumble Creme Frappuccino
- Double Chocolaty Chip Creme Frappuccino
- Espresso Frappuccino
- Honey Almond Milk Flat White
- Iced Matcha Lemonade
- Java Chip Frappuccino
- Royal English Breakfast Latte
- White Chocolate Creme Frappuccino
- White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino
- White Hot Chocolate
“I am shocked because I thought some of these were a lot more popular…and like a cafe vanilla frappuccino I have a sentimental attachment to because that was my first drink,” Senior Izabella Hortega said. “These are also really good for kids to have that stepping stone…there’s so many parents who utilize these to get their kids a drink without caffeinating them.”
Along with cutting 13 drinks, starting Tuesday, Starbucks is laying off over 1000 corporate employees, as well as choosing not to fill hundreds of open job positions. In a released statement by CEO Bryan Niccol, he clarified that the layoffs apply to people working in corporate support, and will not affect those working in individual cafes, manufacturing, brewing or roasting.
The menu and staff cuts are working to implement Niccol’s “Back to Starbucks” plan which he believes will help Starbucks to further succeed in the future.