While Starbucks is one of the most popular coffee chains in the world, there are always things customers may need to be happier with their drinks order.
Recently, a video has gone viral on TikTok after a customer filmed herself opening the lids of four large drinks to reveal that they were not filled to the top.
The TikTok video, posted by Evelyn Juarez (@evelinaajuarezz) on November 4, shows the customer removing the lids of four lattes purchased at a Starbucks location. The text overlay reads, "Ain't no way."
The video has been viewed more than 730,000 times as of November 10.
Customer video calls out Starbucks for not fully filling drinks
Juarez then goes on to make a point about how much money she spent on these drinks compared to what she actually got in return:
"Not us being Karens," Juarez says in the TikTok video, "but we paid $30 for us to get skimped out. That is not it,"
Barista responds to the viral "Starbucks latte foam controversy"
If you're one of the thousands of people who have seen this viral video, you probably have a few questions.
The first is: are the drinks really under-filled?
One commenter on TikTok agreed, saying: "I feel ya on this one! And it feels like the grande isn't even a grande anymore."
Another says: "Foam "melts "sometimes happens to mobile orders that sit too long. However, that's too much of a gap."
The creator of the TikTok post clarified in the comments, "This was straight out the drive through guys not a phone order or deliver order."
A few Starbucks baristas also responded on TikTok, one saying: "As a Starbucks supervisor, the foam will definitely go down but this is too much room. i'd call and ask for remakes and explain what happened!"
According to a website by a Starbucks barista with 10 years experience:
"The total size of a tall drink is 12 oz, minus the 1 oz for espresso, minus the foam and room left at the top." And adds, "Two one ounce shots of espresso go into a grande drink."
Starbucks prices increase 9.85% over previous year
The average price of most Starbucks products in 2022 has shot up on average $0.70 per item, which is a 9.85% increase from the previous year.
Rising inflation is affecting profits at the coffee giant, even if customers keep coming back and spend more.
In an article entitled, Starbucks posts massive sales even as U.S. inflation soars, NPR posted on November 3, 2022:
"Starbucks saw a 10% increase in the average ticket, meaning customers spent 10% more on each purchase this year than they did during the same period last year, on average, according to the report."
During a conference call with investors, Rachel Ruggeri, the company's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, said North American profits were down.
The last quarter was $1.1 billion compared to $1.3 billion in the prior year. In a video for CNBC, she says:
Asked in the video, "How surprised are you with the resilience of Starbucks customers?" Ruggeri explains: "We have learned over past 50 years, the best way to create value for customers is through the experience we create."
As of October 31, 2022, there were 15,733 Starbucks stores in the US. California has the most number of the company's locations in the country, with 3,038. This is about 19% of the company's total US stores. The next two states are Texas with a total of 1,310 stores and Florida with 825 (via Scrapehero).
Final thoughts
The Starbucks customer in the video has a complaint, but is it warranted? Excessive foam isn't a new issue. Or is this under-filling another form of 'shrinkflation' in the face of rising inflation? Previous employees and baristas took to the comments to offer their assistance, which bodes well.
What do you think about this?
What are your experiences with coffee at Starbucks? Share your honest thoughts on this topic by leaving a comment below, and let your friends and family know about it through social media if you like.
Disclaimer: This article is only for informational and educational purposes.
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