Yesterday, we found out about coffee giant Starbucks (SBUX) and its plans to roll out a drink that for many screams fall with quite a bit of summer left to go. Now, we have new word about the rest of the fall menu, and there will be some significant surprises to come. There will be surprises in what Starbucks will offer, and what it will refuse to offer as well. The news hit home for shareholders, who sent shares jumping nearly 3% in Tuesday afternoon’s trading.
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One of the biggest new items coming to Starbucks is the Pecan Cortado. Described as an “…espresso-forward drink with pecan syrup twist,” the beverage is eight ounces and is also considered a major push into European coffee culture. The Cortado will join the Pumpkin Spice Latte, available August 26. There is also an unusual new push into food, with the launch of Italian Sausage Egg Bites. Prepared sous vide—basically by immersing a sealed packet into hot water for a set period—the bites are described as having a “…velvety texture that’s full of flavor.”
In an odd twist, though, one of the most popular flavors of fall–apple–is out at Starbucks. There will be no apple-flavored drinks in the fall lineup. No Iced Apple Crisp, no ciders—hot or cold—and nothing to remind the customer that fall is apple season.
More Water Troubles
A while back, we found out a story about a patron who was in desperate need of a glass of water. It is the kind of thing that should be simply done, represents only a tiny cost to the business, and often makes for satisfied future customers. But Starbucks has once again run afoul of those seeking water, this time, a USPS driver.
The postal driver tried to get a glass of water after delivering a package to the Starbucks location. The barista refused, saying that free water was apparently not a thing, as the water could be given out for free if there was a purchase made. So the delivery driver bought a bottle of water instead, and took her story to social media. There was no response from Starbucks as yet, the report noted. This will likely not sit well with customers hoping for some basic empathy, or with shareholders who want to look like they are not investing in a monster that denies something as simple as water to delivery drivers.
Is Starbucks Stock a Good Buy?
Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Moderate Buy consensus rating on SBUX stock based on 13 Buys, nine Holds and two Sells assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. After a 21.51% rally in its share price over the past year, the average SBUX price target of $96.24 per share implies 0.65% upside potential.
