Key Takeaways
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Starbucks is adding an upcharge to certain beverage customizations.
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The additional charge ranges from 50 cents to $1.
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Fans aren’t happy with the new change, saying they plan to write to corporate.
Starbucks has many loyal customers who adore its menu additions, like this summer’s Iced Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso and returning Summer-Berry Refresher, plus the highly anticipated Firework Frappuccino. However, as many people who enjoy the specialty, hand-crafted beverages, just as many frequent Starbucks for its customizations.
We aren’t just talking about the “secret menu” items either. Some fans might like to add a pump of vanilla syrup, hint of mocha sauce, or, of course, cold foam topping to their morning coffee or tea. While Starbucks has encouraged customers to make such tweaks in the past—even showcasing secret menu options on its social media pages—its lax stance on adding flavor to its drinks seems to be changing.
Starbucks Changes Price for Flavor Add-Ins
Beginning the week of June 23, customers began to notice an upcharge when adding syrups and sauces to their orders.
“I always order a Grande Iced Shaken Espresso with nonfat milk, flavored cold foam, and substitute the Classic [syrup] for a flavored syrup. I noticed today that I was charged for adding Horchata Syrup to my drink,” a Reddit user posted.
Starbucks confirmed that it is changing its pricing for adding flavorings to its non-flavored beverages, according to Bloomberg.
Previously, Starbucks only charged for adding cold foam to its beverages, an upcharge of $1.25. Now, to customize beverages with syrups, sauces, fruit inclusions, and matcha powder, customers will have to pay.
To add any syrups or sauces—other than Starbucks’ “Classic” syrup, which is similar to simple syrup—customers will pay an additional 80 cents. The 80 cents is a one-time fee, meaning it covers any number of pumps of syrups and sauces, as well as any combination of flavors you choose.
If you want to add matcha powder to non-matcha drinks, you’ll need to pay an extra $1. And adding any fruit, like Starbucks’ strawberry puree or dried fruit inclusions, will cost you an extra 50 cents.
To keep track of the upcharges, Starbucks is testing a new in-app feature that shows additional pricing for add-ins, like syrups, sauces, and cold foams. That way, customers won’t be surprised when they head to checkout and see that their usual beverage price has increased.
Fans quickly took to the internet to express their anger over the new change.
“I went to order this morning and chose to not order and went somewhere else. I’m not paying an extra d**n near dollar to swap syrup, that’s ridiculous,” one Reddit user wrote.
“Going to contact corporate with feedback on this one. It’s total bulls**t,” commented another.
This latest change is one of many CEO Brian Niccol has made in his “Back to Starbucks” initiative, which has already included giving free refills to customers who order their beverages to stay in the cafés and removing the upcharge for alternative milks. However, as clearly evidenced by the latest decision, not all changes have been met with excitement. The coffee chain received backlash earlier this year for changing its “open door” policy to only allow paying customers to use its space.
So, if you were excited for the return of Starbucks’ raspberry syrup to add to Frappuccinos, teas, and coffee, just be ready to pay that extra 80 cents—the flavoring upcharge is already in effect.
Read the original article on ALLRECIPES
