Starbucks lovers, rejoice! The coffee mega-chain announced that it will be offering a coconut milk option starting on February 17th. The coconut milk will cost the same as soy milk, which is 60 cents more than dairy options.
This move comes after a huge customer push for a dairy-free alternative other than soy milk that got more than 84,000 supporters on Starbucks’s customer idea site. Offering coconut milk could differentiate Starbucks from competitors like Dunkin’ Donuts, Peet’s Coffee & Tea and smaller, local competitors. The additional vegan and lactose-free option will also help maintain Starbucks’ status as the go-to modern coffeeshop.
Before the announcement about the new offering, Starbucks’s menu had about 170,000 possible beverage options. Now that coconut milk has been added to the brew, though, Christine Barone, VP of brewed espresso, says, “we are excited to hear back what further customer and partner customization coconut milk inspires.”
Bringing in coconut milk validates Starbucks’ reputation as a business that’s extremely receptive to its customers’ input. If you think you have the next great idea for the coffee chain, go to MyStarbucksIdea.com and weigh in on the company’s next move!