The “pumpkin tax” is real. As pumpkin spice lattes top seasonal café menus across the country, a new study reveals that the specialty-flavored items carry an average 8.4% markup over standard versions. That’s up from a 7.4% markup just two years ago — though still down from 2022’s 14.1% spike, when pumpkin harvests were suffering … Read more
There’s nothing sweet about this. Starbucks is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit over protein drinks marketed as “sugar-free” that allegedly contain anywhere from 13 to 21 grams of sugar. The apparent contradiction has left consumers scratching their heads — and wondering what’s really in their cups. Starbucks was slapped with a proposed class action lawsuit … Read more
The Big Apple is losing some beans. Starbucks, the world’s largest coffeehouse chain, is shrinking as the company announces plans to close 250 U.S. locations, including a reported 17 stores in New York State and eight in New York City. “We have carefully reviewed our North America coffeehouse portfolio and identified locations where we do not … Read more
Winter is coming. For Starbucks fans, that means more Christmas-themed cups to fill cupboards. Starting on Nov. 5, the java giant will be dropping its infamous 2026 holiday merch — jam-packed with drinkware, a Bearista plush and a village collection. Last year, the Bearista cup took coffee drinkers by storm selling out of most stores … Read more
National Coffee Day is here with major discounts and freebies to help fuel your daily grind. Americans are more caffeinated than ever. According to the National Coffee Association, a whopping two-thirds of US adults drink coffee every single day. Dunkin’ is offering freebiees for their Rewards members via their app today. Dunkin’ To celebrate, top … Read more
For millions of Americans, grabbing breakfast or coffee from a fast-food drive-thru is an ordinary part of the morning routine — but not long ago, ordering a meal without leaving the car was a novelty. So how did the drive-thru go from a novel idea to an everyday staple? Convenience and an “on-the-go” lifestyle are … Read more
McDonald’s rivals are not lovin’ the competition. McDonald’s is going all in on GLP-1 users, and taking down the competition along the way. On Wednesday’s Investor Day meeting — where companies present long-term strategy — the Golden Arches revealed it would start experimenting with new, more protein-packed menu items. Sky Anderson, the president of McDonald’s … Read more
In July, ESPN elected to cut ties with Ryan Clark, a former NFL player turned analyst for the sports broadcasting network. But Clark didn’t sit around and feel sorry for himself. Instead, he leaned further into his media company, Pivot25 Productions, primarily with “The Pivot” podcast, which has over a million YouTube subscribers and recently … Read more
Shove over, Starbucks’ Bear Cup — there’s a new coffee trinket in town. Starting today — the first day of fall — New England stalwarts Dunkin’ Donuts and L.L.Bean release their first-ever collab with a limited-edition piece of autumn merch — including a tiny sweater for your coffee that has java junkies lining up at … Read more
NYC has spilled the beans. The city that never sleeps — perhaps due to its constant craving for joe — has been bested as the nation’s top city for coffee lovers, per a recent WalletHub analysis of the 100 largest U.S. cities. The coffee crown also skipped Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington — two cities … Read more
Fast-food chains are going old school with an innovative customer service update: human cashiers. The push for touch-screen kiosks, mobile app deals, and digital ordering has been sweeping across favorite fast-food chains for years. McDonald’s, Burger King and Starbucks have all offered exclusive in-app promotions to nudge customers online, while installing self-service kiosks in place … Read more
They’re out of their gourds. New data from tech giants like Google and Pinterest reveals that searches and clicks for “pumpkin spice” have plummeted since this time last year. The ubiquitous flavor hit Starbucks in 2003, then seeped into candles, deodorant and even Spam. (File under: Taking it too far…) Starbucks’ famous Pumpkin Spice Lattes … Read more
If it seems like fall décor and seasonal food and drinks are arriving earlier each year, it’s not just in your head. Data show consumers are increasingly embracing “season creep” — shopping for seasonal products earlier than they did in years past. Younger consumers’ enthusiasm for fall, a desire to plan ahead and retailers’ efforts to extend … Read more
Los Angeles Lakers legend turned entrepreneur Magic Johnson purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers for a staggering $2.15 billion in October of 2012. Johnson purchased the team with Guggenheim Baseball Management, but reportedly contributed about $50 million of his own money in the deal. Magic Johnson and Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani take a … Read more
Starbucks announced on Monday that its classic Pumpkin Spice Latte will be returning to store menus later this month. The popular drink will be joined by new beverages and food items and as limited-time merchandise collections. While the classic Pumpkin Spice Latte returns Aug. 25, Starbucks will add new pumpkin spice-flavored drinks, including the Iced Pumpkin Cream Shaken … Read more
Bottoms up and dollars out if you want to reap the rewards of the new Starbucks Reserve card. The internet is divided on whether the rewards associated with the coffee purveyors’ new personalized metal card, reserved for top-tier, big-spending Reserve members, are worth the cost of carrying it. Is the brew worth the beans, so … Read more
The Bearista cup chaos is back again — hopefully without the brawls. Starbucks is kicking off World Cup 2026 by causing another stir with a twist on its adorable, but pricey, ‘Bearista” cup. The coffeehouse first rolled out the cute teddy bear back in November 2025 as a 20-ounce glass with a cozy Starbucks-green beanie … Read more
Coffee lovers and nostalgic campers are rejoicing. In honor of summertime and twitterpating the hearts of many, Starbucks is reportedly bringing back a fan favorite frappuccino. Gone but never forgotten, the S’mores Frappuccino, discontinued in 2019, will return to the coffee franchise alongside a new s’mores-inspired cold brew beverage. Corporate coffee lovers and nostalgic campers … Read more
The Devil Drinks Starbucks. Starbucks launched a secret menu to celebrate “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” which hits theaters May 1. The coffee giant is introducing a curated lineup of beverages inspired by the characters of the highly anticipated sequel, which are available exclusively in the Starbucks app. Each beverage is meant to reflect the … Read more
A brutal “beef” is brewing. Furious caffeine fiends are virtually storming the gates of Starbucks, condemning the coffeehouse chain for failing to resurrect fan-favorite drinks on its summer 2026 menu. An even more egregious offense to some, however, is the company’s decision to revive its much-ballyhooed Unicorn Frappuccino Blended Beverage exclusively at Coachella, leaving folks … Read more