Well Done Starbucks

This roll at Starbucks is gluten-free and apparently they always have at least one gluten-free sandwich available.  One of my latest Cafe Tour clients (a coeliac) pointed it out and said how few chain or independent cafes have gluten-free sandwiches.  Guess which cafe always gets his custom.

Doughnut + Muffin = Duffin

Hold the calories and cross a doughnut with a muffin - Duffins are at Starbucks and elsewhere.

The Future?

At the end of our London Cafe Tours we are often asked what is the future for cafe design if now it is all about the industrial, retro, natural, recycled, comfortably worn look.  I asked the knowledgeable boss of Matthew Algie coffee's Irish business Lachlan MacGillivray his thoughts and he quoted two examples:

Baker D ChiricoMelbourne Bakery Starbucks Tokyo 

Full Leaf Teas

Starbucks has full leaf tea, not powder, in their tea bags.  You will be able to taste the difference, trust me and better quality tea should allow you to charge more.

Benugo are switched on to quality tea

Sweet & Petite

The mini/petite pastry at a high price point is becoming more prevalent - perhaps this will be the way we keep the weight off and indulge our sweet tooth.  It will certainly help our food cost.  Konditor & Cook's £1 Mini Tart special offer and Starbucks' £1.55 eat in Petites.

Perfect Porridge

Starbucks six variations of porridge.

The Bard

Clever merchandising at Starbucks given the World Shakespeare Festival runs until November and the Bard is an international icon.  Unlike the Olympic rings, you won't get told off by using his image I assume. We may all be potty about the Jubilee and the Olympics but the World Shakespeare Festival is big - 60 partners, one million tickets, http://www.worldshakespearefestival.org.uk/about/

The Latest Bakery Cafe

Did you see that Starbucks has bought San Francisco-based La Boulange Bakery -  http://laboulangebakery.com/

A logical step and one that could have influence on their 17,000 stores worldwide.  I believe that bakery cafes are the way forward - will others follow?

WiFi - Get With It

Only 20 million Ipads are forecast to be sold in the next 12 weeks!  20 million.  WiFi is essential for these Steve Jobs specials and the smart cafes have switched on given their role as affordable out-of-home meeting spaces.  Hotels charging £5/hour for wifi and goodness knows what for a poncy cup of coffee are dinosaurs. Just make sure your external advertising features the information.

CAFE + WiFi = MORE SALES

Latest group to get it - Starbucks have just announced free WiFi throughout the UK

Mini Cakes

Starbucks yet again leading the big guys cake innovation stakes with a range of three mini cakes as part of their Petites range.

See http://greatcafes.blogspot.com/2011/05/new-mini.html
and
http://greatcafes.blogspot.com/2011/04/lolly-cake.html

Yoghurt & Toppings

Starbucks Creamy Yoghurt - yes, now commonplace - but with 4 'favourite' toppings - Berry Compote, Mango Compote, Maple & Honey Sauce and Maple & Honey Granola in separate pots.  Thanks to talented Chef David Swann for the tip off.

Pancakes on the Panini Grill

Another clever idea from Starbucks which draws on their US heritage and uses the panini grill to the full.

It allows them to promote their breakfast offer big time.

In Starbucks, not Denmark

Marmite is the love/hate brand and it does differentiate the offering.  What are your ideas to provide interesting yet familiar items?

A new take on Toast

A clever take on an old favourite - toast.  Starbucks, and now EAT, offer thick slices of fruit bread toasted on the panini grill.   There has always been that challenge of how you can get a decent price for dear old toast - now you can.

Lolly Cake

Cake on a stick - colourful, fun and not seen elsewhere.....yet.  Not the easiest to eat but typical of the innovation seen in the cut-throat coffee bar business.  Well done Starbucks with their 'Petites'.

As part of our popular London Cafe Tours we always visit the majors and caterers are often the worst at knowing what's new in the market.


Good to Great Cafes - chris.brown@turpinsmale.co.uk