Latest news with #BeverageDigest
CBS News
11-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Starbucks is testing out a new protein cold foam at 5 locations in the U.S.
Starbucks is piloting a new menu item that will give people a boost of protein with their morning latte. The coffee chain is testing a new protein cold foam at five locations across the U.S., CNN reported. The foam is banana-flavored and paired with the coffee chain's iced latte beverage, a Starbucks spokesperson confirmed with CBS MoneyWatch. Protein drinks and snacks have ballooned in popularity in recent years — a trend celebrities like Khloé Kardashian are looking to cash in on with products like Khloud, a protein popcorn. Protein shakes are now a $6 billion sector, according to Beverage Digest. Starbuck's foray into protein beverages is part of a larger push to reimagine its menu. The company on its website says it is piloting new products at select U.S. locations known as the Starting Five. Current products being tested include a Strato Frappuccino and croissants baked in-store. The company says it will test these food and beverage options through its Starting Five program before launching them at the national level. To make way for new menu items, Starbucks will pare down its food and beverage offerings by 30% by the end of Fiscal Year 2025. "By simplifying our menu, we're helping to create a more intentional, thoughtful experience for our customers — one where every drink is handcrafted with precision and care," the company posted online. The menu redesign comes at a time of financial tumult for the coffee chain. Sales remained relatively flat through 2024 and the start of 2025. "Our results do not reflect the strength of our brand," said Rachel Ruggeri, chief financial officer in the company's 2024 Fiscal Year results. In an effort to boost sales and lure people back to its retail locations, CEO Brian Niccol unveiled the "Back to Starbucks" restructuring plan in September 2024. The ongoing initiative involves a series of upgrades to its operations and appearance — such as a new dress code for baristas that highlights the the coffee chain's "iconic green apron."
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Starbucks is entering the protein wars with a new topping
Starbucks is dipping its toes in the increasingly growing appetite for protein, with a new topping for its coffee drinks. The company is testing a new protein cold foam at five US locations as part of CEO Brian Niccol's plans to expand into the wellness sector and reverse sagging sales. The trial pairs a banana-flavored foam, packed with 15 grams of protein, with a sugar-free vanilla latte. The addition, announced Tuesday at a company event in Las Vegas, is part of Starbucks' broader plans in 'reimagining and modernizing its beverages and food to build a relevant, hype-worthy global menu that will resonate with customers,' according to a statement. Niccol is cutting 30% of the menu but also adding new foods and drinks, while tweaking its current offerings. Starbucks said it has started to test baking some pastries in stores, rather than being shipped and warmed up. The first test is a new buttery croissant and a double chocolate cookie. Adding a protein option seems like a no-brainer for Starbucks, considering the protein shake category is blossoming into a $6 billion sector, according to Beverage Digest. It's dominated by premade options, like Coca-Cola's Core Power and PepsiCo's Muscle Milk, and by smaller rivals like Dutch Bros., which has a expansive lineup of protein coffee drinks. Meanwhile, Starbucks is planning to integrate artificial intelligence at 35 locations to help baristas speed up service. The tool, called 'Green Dot Assist,' would let employees ask questions to a tablet about how to make drinks or troubleshoot equipment. Niccol also told the Financial Times that the company has received 'a lot of interest' in the sale of a stake in its struggling China unit. The chain lowered prices this week on some drinks in the country as it looks to siphon customers from rival Luckin Coffee.
CNN
11-06-2025
- Business
- CNN
Starbucks is entering the protein wars with a new topping
Starbucks is dipping its toes in the increasingly growing appetite for protein, with a new topping for its coffee drinks. The company is testing a new protein cold foam at five US locations as part of CEO Brian Niccol's plans to expand into the wellness sector and reverse sagging sales. The trial pairs a banana-flavored foam, packed with 15 grams of protein, with a sugar-free vanilla latte. The addition, announced Tuesday at a company event in Las Vegas, is part of Starbucks' broader plans in 'reimagining and modernizing its beverages and food to build a relevant, hype-worthy global menu that will resonate with customers,' according to a statement. Niccol is cutting 30% of the menu but also adding new foods and drinks, while tweaking its current offerings. Starbucks said it has started to test baking some pastries in stores, rather than being shipped and warmed up. The first test is a new buttery croissant and a double chocolate cookie. Adding a protein option seems like a no-brainer for Starbucks, considering the protein shake category is blossoming into a $6 billion sector, according to Beverage Digest. It's dominated by premade options, like Coca-Cola's Core Power and PepsiCo's Muscle Milk, and by smaller rivals like Dutch Bros., which has a expansive lineup of protein coffee drinks. Meanwhile, Starbucks is planning to integrate artificial intelligence at 35 locations to help baristas speed up service. The tool, called 'Green Dot Assist,' would let employees ask questions to a tablet about how to make drinks or troubleshoot equipment. Niccol also told the Financial Times that the company has received 'a lot of interest' in the sale of a stake in its struggling China unit. The chain lowered prices this week on some drinks in the country as it looks to siphon customers from rival Luckin Coffee.
CNN
11-06-2025
- Business
- CNN
Starbucks is entering the protein wars with a new topping
Starbucks is dipping its toes in the increasingly growing appetite for protein, with a new topping for its coffee drinks. The company is testing a new protein cold foam at five US locations as part of CEO Brian Niccol's plans to expand into the wellness sector and reverse sagging sales. The trial pairs a banana-flavored foam, packed with 15 grams of protein, with a sugar-free vanilla latte. The addition, announced Tuesday at a company event in Las Vegas, is part of Starbucks' broader plans in 'reimagining and modernizing its beverages and food to build a relevant, hype-worthy global menu that will resonate with customers,' according to a statement. Niccol is cutting 30% of the menu but also adding new foods and drinks, while tweaking its current offerings. Starbucks said it has started to test baking some pastries in stores, rather than being shipped and warmed up. The first test is a new buttery croissant and a double chocolate cookie. Adding a protein option seems like a no-brainer for Starbucks, considering the protein shake category is blossoming into a $6 billion sector, according to Beverage Digest. It's dominated by premade options, like Coca-Cola's Core Power and PepsiCo's Muscle Milk, and by smaller rivals like Dutch Bros., which has a expansive lineup of protein coffee drinks. Meanwhile, Starbucks is planning to integrate artificial intelligence at 35 locations to help baristas speed up service. The tool, called 'Green Dot Assist,' would let employees ask questions to a tablet about how to make drinks or troubleshoot equipment. Niccol also told the Financial Times that the company has received 'a lot of interest' in the sale of a stake in its struggling China unit. The chain lowered prices this week on some drinks in the country as it looks to siphon customers from rival Luckin Coffee.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Longtime favorite drops in ranking of best-selling sodas in the US
When it comes to soda, some brands pop off year after year. Beverage Digest, a trade publication covering the beverage industry, released its annual data measuring America's best-selling soda brands. The list ranked sodas based on each company's sales performance in 2024. It also compared popular sodas with other beverage types, like bottled water and sports drinks. While many Americans have longstanding opinions on the superior choice between Coca-Cola or Pepsi products, a few other popular soda brands have inched their way to the top of the ranking. This year, Sprite knocked Pepsi out of the top three spots on the list. Here's a look at the full data. Lawsuit: Pepsi, Coca-Cola to blame for plastic waste crisis in US Virgin Islands Regular Coke remained in the top spot on the annual list of bestselling soda brands. Meanwhile, Dr. Pepper entered the second spot and Sprite edged out Pepsi for No. 3. Coke and Pepsi were the respective No. 1 and 2 bestselling sodas in America for many years. However, in 2023, Dr. Pepper overtook Pepsi as the No. 2 bestselling soda on the list. This year, Pepsi fell another spot to Coke's Sprite brand, making it the fourth bestselling soda in 2024, according to Beverage Digest's data. Aside from soda brands, Beverage Digest also ranked other categories of non-alcoholic liquid refreshments based on volume and dollar performance in 2024. Here are the top beverages in America based on the list: Bottled water Carbonated soda Juices and juice drinks Ready-to-drink tea Sports drinks Energy drinks Ready-to-drink coffee Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coke or Pepsi? Best-selling sodas in America in 2024 revealed Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
