Beverages

Starbucks suspends traffic-driving Happy Hours

The coffee chain has canceled at least three events and plans to reassess the promotion's safety in January. Last December, Happy Hours drove 11% traffic increases. 

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 16, 2020

Panera's second largest franchisee tests beer and wine

The bakery-cafe chain continues its push to boost the dinner daypart as it begins to sell alcohol for the first time in its 33-year history at five Kansas City locations.

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 04, 2020

Dunkin' CFO: Company's westward expansion 'key' to future development

Dunkin's decision to remain open as competitors closed and to open new branches in the South and West have positioned it well for the future, its CFO said Tuesday.

By Jane Thier • Sept. 18, 2020

Starbucks traffic lifts following early Pumpkin Spice Latte launch

Foot traffic at the chain was just 7.7% and 6.2% below equivalent 2019 levels on the Saturday and Sunday following the return of the fall favorite, according to Placer.ai data. 

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 14, 2020

Texas bars could reopen as restaurants under modified licensure rules

Establishments could qualify as restaurants if alcoholic beverages made up less than 51% of their sales since April 1, per the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 03, 2020

Dunkin' may shutter 800 US stores by year's end

More than 50% of these closures are in Speedway c-stores that were previously announced in February, but the chain says all places on the chopping block are in "low-volume sales locations."

By Emma Liem Beckett • July 30, 2020

Starbucks US same-store sales plummet 40% as diner routines change

Executives noted the volatility of the pandemic could continue to undermine sales, and the company predicts U.S. same-store sales declines of 12% to 17% for the year. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • July 29, 2020

Dunkin' commits to P&G cleaning products to lure customers back inside

Co-branded stickers will appear on front doors, drive-thrus and in restrooms of participating locations to indicate frequent cleaning with brands like Comet.

By Dianna Christie • July 17, 2020

Dunkin' flexes advertising muscle in 1st national recruitment campaign

The chain is promoting 25,000 job openings through TV spots, digital assets, social, radio, OOH and in-store signage as the economy is hit with pandemic-related unemployment.

By Dianna Christie • June 09, 2020

Texas chain petitions governor to make margaritas-to-go available forever

Selling alcoholic beverages with food could attract customers, especially since alcohol sales make up 20% to 30% of restaurant sales in the U.S.

By Julie Littman • UPDATED: May 12, 2020 at 12:57 p.m.

Starbucks will phase out Catastrophe Pay as US stores reopen

The chain said that it will start to open locations May 4 on a community-by-community basis, but will phase out some of its additional benefits in June. 

By Julie Littman • April 17, 2020

Starbucks will reopen 90% of stores by June

The first stage will involve only 30 cafes, and the chain will monitor their performance before moving forward, COO Rosalind Brewer said on a company earnings call.

By Emma Liem Beckett • UPDATED: April 29, 2020 at 11:14 a.m.

Luckin Coffee fires CEO, COO as part of fraud investigation

Following ongoing investigations looking into employees fabricating transactions of over $300 million, the chain has fired its CEO and COO and suspended six other employees. 

By Lauren Stine • UPDATED: May 12, 2020 at 12:46 p.m.

COVID-19 puts BYO coffee cups on hold, but sanitized reusable systems could fill the void

Major brands like Starbucks and Dunkin' have banned the use of personal to-go containers in recent weeks over coronavirus fears, raising new questions in a wider debate around packaging safety. 

By Karine Vann • March 27, 2020

Starbucks offers 'catastrophe pay' to workers impacted by coronavirus

The temporary benefit includes 14 days of paid sick leave for workers diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19, and also for those who are at elevated risk due to age or preexisting medical conditions. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 12, 2020

Philz Coffee adds mobile-order-only location

The San Francisco-based coffee chain opened the 1,000-square-foot pilot location in the bustling Salesforce Transit Center, which gives it access to a flow of 45 million travelers each year.  

By Alicia Kelso • March 12, 2020

Dunkin' drafts 'Cheer' star for Instagram sweepstakes

Gabi Butler, the all-star cheerleader who appears in the Netflix docu-series, will post a special "Dunkin' cheer" to the company's account.

By Robert Williams • March 04, 2020

Panera's coffee subscription leverages loyalty to fight breakfast battle

The chain's CEO said the unlimited coffee and tea offering, which diners can access for $8.99 through its rewards program, increased visits by 70% during its pilot. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 27, 2020

NextGen Cup Challenge, driven by McDonald's and Starbucks, rolls out reusable cup pilot in California

The programs — set to debut at independent coffee shops around San Francisco and Palo Alto — could pave the way for major chains to make the switch as they seek to meet environmental goals. 

By E.A. Crunden • Feb. 20, 2020

Chicago Starbucks Roastery generating strong traffic counts

Placer.ai’s data shows that about 50% of the Roastery’s customers come from outside the Chicago area, traveling more than 30 miles to visit the store. 

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 03, 2020

Starbucks sets course for resource positive supply chain

The operational and procurement changes would touch every corner of the company's operation from food sourcing to building construction.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 23, 2020

How Starbucks uses AI to counter mobile's isolating effect

At NRF's Big Show, CEO Kevin Johnson shared why the chain is embracing artificial intelligence to compensate for some of mobile's downsides.

By Chantal Tode • Jan. 14, 2020

TGI Fridays will revamp bar to ignite alcohol sales

The chain will change its beverage program as well as music, seating and lighting to encourage more socializing in the hopes to boost its alcohol sales, which make up 30% of its $2.1 billion sales. 

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 14, 2020

Luckin launches self-serve vending machines

Available in standard and mini sizes, Luckin is targeting high-traffic areas like hospitals, campuses and airports with its new unmanned offering in China.

By Lauren Stine • Jan. 10, 2020

Blue Bottle, aiming for 'zero waste' in 2020, could eliminate to-go coffee cups

The upscale coffee chain's goals mirror a larger shift as more and more companies target their waste footprints. The no cup pilot will begin in two California locations.

By E.A. Crunden • Dec. 13, 2019