Starbucks menu in delhi: locations, menu & everything you need to know

Have you ever wondered what to order when you walk into a Starbucks in Ahmedabad? With so many choices on the menu, finding your perfect brew can feel overwhelming. This guide will help you navigate the Starbucks menu in Ahmedabad with confidence, whether you're a coffee connoisseur or a casual visitor.

Understanding the Starbucks Experience in Ahmedabad

Starbucks offers a unique coffee experience that blends global standards with local flavors. When you visit any of the Ahmedabad locations, you'll find a wide variety of hot beverages, cold drinks, frappuccinos, and food items to satisfy your cravings.

Starbucks Locations in Ahmedabad

Starbucks has expanded its presence across Ahmedabad to serve coffee lovers throughout the city. You can find Starbucks at these locations:

• Bodakdev - A popular location serving the western part of the city
• Prahlad Nagar - Convenient for residents and professionals in this business district
• Vastrapur - Located in One Mall, perfect for shoppers
• Navrangpura - Central location serving the heart of the city
• CG Road - Situated in the commercial hub
• Thaltej - Serving residents of this upscale neighborhood
• Science City Road - Convenient for those near Sola and Science City area
• Phoenix Palladium Mall - Located in Ghatlodiya, perfect for mall visitors
• Sindhu Bhavan Road - Located at the Taj Skyline
• Kudasan - Serving the Gandhi Nagar area

Starbucks Size Guide

Before diving into the menu, it's helpful to understand Starbucks' distinctive sizing system:

• Short: 237ml (limited availability)
• Tall: 354ml
• Grande: 473ml
• Venti: 591ml

Hot Beverages That Warm Your Soul

Espresso-Based Favorites

When you're looking for that perfect coffee kick, Starbucks' espresso-based drinks offer rich, aromatic flavors that can be customized to your taste preferences.

Tea & Other Hot Beverages

Not in the mood for coffee? Try these comforting alternatives that offer unique flavor profiles.

Refreshing Cold Beverages

Iced Coffee & Cold Brew

When Ahmedabad's weather calls for something cool, these refreshing coffee options provide the perfect pick-me-up.

Iced Tea & Refreshers

For a lighter refreshment with vibrant flavors, these options are perfect for hot Ahmedabad days.

Indulgent Frappuccino® Blended Beverages

When you're craving something special, these blended treats combine coffee, milk, ice, and various flavors for a dessert-like experience.

Grab-and-Go Bottled Beverages

Need something quick? These convenient options let you enjoy Starbucks flavors on the move.

Delicious Food Options

Snacks & Bakery Items

Pair your beverage with these tasty treats for a complete Starbucks experience.

Making the Most of Your Starbucks Visit

How can you get the perfect Starbucks experience in Ahmedabad? Here are some tips:

1. Know your preference: Whether you enjoy something strong like an espresso or creamy like a frappuccino, understanding your taste preference helps narrow down choices.

2. Consider customizations: Starbucks baristas can adjust sweetness levels, milk types, and toppings to suit your taste.

3. Try the most popular items: The Caramel Macchiato and White Chocolate Mocha are customer favorites for good reason.

4. Watch your budget: If you're cost-conscious, the Brewed Coffee is the most affordable option at approximately ₹60.

Conclusion

Your Starbucks journey in Ahmedabad doesn't have to be complicated. With this guide, you now have the knowledge to order confidently and explore new flavors. Whether you're seeking a morning caffeine boost, an afternoon refreshment, or a sweet treat, Starbucks Ahmedabad has something to satisfy your cravings.

Remember that prices may vary slightly between locations, and seasonal or limited-time offerings may be available beyond what's listed here. The next time you visit Starbucks in Ahmedabad, you'll be ready to order like a pro!

As a Starbucks enthusiast, We've witnessed the coffee giant's ever-evolving menu over the years. While we're always excited about new seasonal offerings, there's something bittersweet about saying goodbye to beloved favorites. Whether permanently discontinued or temporarily unavailable, these Starbucks items have left an impression on many coffee lovers. Let's take a nostalgic journey through the Starbucks menu items that no longer grace the display cases and drink boards.

The Great 2025 Menu Overhaul

In February 2025, Starbucks announced a significant change under new CEO Brian Niccol's "Back to Starbucks" initiative. The company plans to cut approximately 30% of menu items by September 2025, starting with 13 beverages that were eliminated on March 4, 2025.

Frappuccino Farewell

The most noticeable casualties are from the Frappuccino family, with nine varieties being discontinued:

• Espresso Frappuccino (Try a Coffee Frappuccino with an added espresso shot instead)
• Caffè Vanilla Frappuccino (Substitute with a Coffee Frappuccino with vanilla syrup)
• Java Chip Frappuccino (The Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino makes a great replacement)
• White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino (Time to try the standard Mocha Frappuccino)
• Chai Crème Frappuccino (Consider a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino as an alternative)
• Caramel Ribbon Crunch Crème Frappuccino (Vanilla Bean Frappuccino is suggested)
• Double Chocolaty Chip Crème Frappuccino (Another one where Vanilla Bean is the recommended substitute)
• Chocolate Cookie Crumble Crème Frappuccino (You guessed it – Vanilla Bean Frappuccino)
• White Chocolate Crème Frappuccino (Vanilla Bean Frappuccino to the rescue again)

Other 2025 Discontinued Drinks

Along with the Frappuccinos, these four beverages were also removed:

• Iced Matcha Lemonade (Try Green Tea Lemonade instead)
• White Hot Chocolate (Can be replicated with a regular Hot Chocolate customized with white chocolate mocha sauce)
• Royal English Breakfast Latte (The London Fog Latte is recommended as a similar option)
• Honey Almondmilk Flat White (A standard Flat White with non-dairy milk is the suggested alternative)

Fan-Favorite Items From Years Past

Beyond the recent cuts, many Starbucks enthusiasts still reminisce about discontinued beverages and food items from previous years.

Seasonal Specials We Miss

Some of the most beloved seasonal beverages that are no longer available include:

• Salted Caramel Mocha - This fall favorite featuring toffee nut and mocha syrups was discontinued in 2021, leaving a caramel-shaped hole in many hearts.
• Gingerbread Latte - A holiday staple that has disappeared from U.S. menus, much to the dismay of gingerbread fans.
• S'mores Frappuccino - This summer favorite evoked camping memories with its marshmallow-infused goodness.
• Dark Cherry Mocha - A Valentine's Day special that gained a devoted following before being discontinued.
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Bar - While pumpkin spice lattes remain, this highly missed seasonal treat is no longer available.

Limited-Time Innovations

Starbucks has introduced numerous innovative drinks that were only available for a short period:

• Unicorn Frappuccino - The colorful, Instagram-worthy beverage that took social media by storm in 2017.
• Witch's Brew Frappuccino - A Halloween special with a memorable appearance that cast a spell on customers.
• Oleato Caffé Latte With Oat Milk - An olive oil-infused drink introduced and discontinued in 2024 due to lack of customer interest.
• Juniper Latte - A distinctive winter offering with pine-like notes that divided opinion.
• Midnight Mint Mocha Frappuccino - A cooling mint chocolate creation that refreshed during warmer months.

Refreshers and Teas Gone Too Soon

Tea and refresher drinks have seen significant changes over the years:

• Valencia Orange Refresher - One of the original refresher flavors that has since been discontinued.
• Cool Lime Refresher - A refreshing summer option that's no longer available for those hot days.
• Very Berry Refresher - A fruity favorite that customers still ask about.
• Guava White Tea Lemonade - A tropical tea blend that brought a taste of vacation to everyday life.
• Teavana Shaken Iced White Tea - Removed after Starbucks' acquisition of Teavana.

Food Items We Can't Forget

The food menu has also seen notable departures:

• Cookie Dough Cake Pop - A sweet treat that many customers hope will return someday.
• Holiday Turkey & Stuffing Sandwich - A seasonal sandwich reminiscent of Thanksgiving dinner.
• Bantam Bagels - Mini stuffed bagels that had a devoted following before disappearing.
• Thai Chicken Wrap Protein Box - A protein-packed lunch option that balanced flavor and nutrition.
• Honey Pistachio Croissant - A unique pastry option that paired perfectly with coffee.
• Double Chocolate Loaf - A rich chocolate bread that satisfied sweet cravings.
• Tomato and Cheese Croissant - Introduced with La Boulange acquisition, then later discontinued.

Temporary Shortages: When Supply Chain Issues Strike

Beyond permanent discontinuations, Starbucks has faced temporary shortages that affected menu availability, especially during the supply chain disruptions of 2021:

• Chai tea bags and iced green tea - Leading to disappointed tea lovers.
• Hazelnut syrup and toffee nut syrup - Affecting many popular customized drinks.
• Oat milk products - Shortly after their introduction, demand outpaced supply.
• Cinnamon Dolce Latte ingredients - Making this sweet and spicy favorite temporarily unavailable.
• White Chocolate Mocha components - A popular flavor profile that became hard to find.
• Strawberry Acai base for refreshers - Leaving refresher fans without their fruity fix.

During this period, Starbucks placed approximately 25 items on "temporary hold" across the U.S., showing how global supply issues can affect even the biggest coffee chains.

What's Next for Starbucks?

While saying goodbye to these items, Starbucks continues to innovate. Spring 2025 brings:

• Return of lavender beverages, including Iced Lavender Cream Oatmilk Matcha and Iced Lavender Oatmilk Latte
• New Iced Cherry Chai beverage
• New food item: Jalapeño Chicken Pocket
• The Cortado, introduced in January 2025, which has exceeded performance expectations

The Cyclical Nature of Coffee Culture

The constantly changing Starbucks menu represents the evolution of coffee culture itself. While we may mourn the loss of favorites like the Java Chip Frappuccino or Salted Caramel Mocha, these changes make room for new innovations that might become tomorrow's classics.

The tension between nostalgia for discontinued favorites and excitement for new creations reflects the ongoing challenge Starbucks faces in balancing customer loyalty with operational efficiency and menu innovation.

What discontinued Starbucks item do you miss the most? Share in the comments below, and maybe—just maybe—we'll see some of these beloved items make a triumphant return someday.

Starbucks expects its global revenue to grow in the range of 10% to 12% annually from fiscal 2023 to fiscal 2025.

This represents an improvement from the company’s previous range of 8% to 10%, driven by priority investments that elevate partner engagement and store efficiency, industry-leading digital programs, an engaged and growing Starbucks® Rewards membership base, game-changing product innovation, and a rapidly expanding global footprint, shared the coffee chain in its statement.

The company expects solid margin expansion in fiscal 2023 with progressively more expansion in fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2025. Non-GAAP EPS growth is expected to be in the range of 15% to 20% annually through fiscal 2025, representing an improvement from the previous range of 10% to 12%.

The coffee chain hosted its biennial Investor Day in Seattle where interim chief executive officer Howard Schultz, chief financial officer Rachel Ruggeri, and Starbucks leaders showcased the company’s Reinvention plan to an in-person audience of more than 150 investors. Presentations highlighted decisive actions and targeted investments in partners, customers, and stores that are expected to accelerate the company’s long-term growth, progressively expand operating margin, and drive high-teens non-GAAP EPS growth annually through fiscal 2025.

“As we execute on our Reinvention plan, we are building on our 51-year history of market leading innovation to position our business and our brand for the next chapter of growth,” said Schultz.

Schultz also introduced incoming ceo Laxman Narasimhan, who shared his enthusiasm for the Reinvention plan.

Narasimhan will officially join Starbucks on October 1, 2022 and will work closely with Schultz before assuming the ceo role and joining the Board in April 2023. Schultz will remain as a member of the Board after the transition.

In connection with its Reinvention plan, Starbucks introduced a framework for accelerated earnings growth over the next three years, underpinned by enhanced comparable store sales growth, increased store count growth, continued margin expansion, and disciplined capital allocation.

“Starbucks is a growth company, and our accelerated expansion is a direct reflection of the expected returns from our Reinvention plan,” said Ruggeri. “By making strategic and highly targeted investments to drive value for partners, Starbucks will also drive value for customers and shareholders, while managing costs, improving margins, and elevating the Starbucks Experience for all stakeholders.”

The company’s global store portfolio is expected to grow by roughly 7% annually on a net basis from fiscal 2023 to fiscal 2025, up from the previous estimate of approximately 6%. This increase is driven largely by accelerated growth across the U.S. portfolio as purpose-built store formats in conjunction with the Reinvention plan is expected to deliver net new store growth of 3% to 4% annually, compared to approximately 3% as previously estimated. Starbucks also expects to continue robust store development in China, with net unit growth of approximately 13% annually. Globally, Starbucks expects to approach 45,000 stores by the end of 2025, and is well on track to reach approximately 55,000 stores by 2030, as projected at its 2020 Investor Day.

Starbucks plans to resume its share buyback program reinstituting a healthy return of shareholder capital, yielding an annual EPS benefit of approximately 1%, net of incremental interest, beginning in fiscal year 2024. Between dividends and share buybacks, the company expects to return approximately $20 billion to its shareholders in the next three years.

From being just a beverage option, to becoming favourite morning drink, coffee in India has grown to new heights. Needless to say, the coffee sector in the country is growing at a significant rate with the market expected to grow annually by 7.2% CAGR in 2021 - 2025. In fact, in the last couple of years, we have seen huge transformations in the market where superior taste, quality, innovative brewing techniques along with unique flavours are drawing the business for coffee brands.

Today, Indians do not look at coffee as just a filter coffee or ‘Kaapi’ to go with their morning breakfast, coffee these days are more experiential, locally grown, sustainable and what not. From international brands like Starbucks, Costa Coffee and Di Bella to Indian home grown brands like Café Coffee Day, Coffee Culture, Araku Coffee to Blue Tokai and Rage Coffee, the sector has also seen a deep interest from investors.

Also Read: This coffee-startup clocked a four-fold increase in sales during lockdown

Not just a trend!

While International coffee day is an occasion to celebrate and promote coffee as a beverage, it is also important to highlight the issues related to it. For example, fair trade and the plight of coffee growing communities. International coffee chain Starbucks that is also celebrating its 50^th anniversary this week has taken a bold aspiration to be a resource positive company, to take less and give more to the planet in every aspect of its business – including coffee. In March, Starbucks announced coffee-specific environmental goals to achieve carbon neutral green coffee and conserve water usage in green coffee processing by 50 percent by 2030.

Starbucks purchases coffee from more than 400,000 farmers in 30 countries around the world and is committed to a sustainable future of coffee for all. The company believes it has a responsibility to care for the entire supply chain and the many people who make coffee possible, from seed to cup, farmer to customer.

Similarly, Costa Coffee has launched a trial of a new blockchain technology-powered reusable cup scheme called BURT. BURT – which stands for ‘Borrow, Use, Reuse, Take Back’ – builds on Costa Coffee’s work to improve the sustainability of its cups and packaging by utilising innovative digital technology, seeking to shift consumer behaviour towards reuse. The trial launches on 29^th September across 14 stores in Glasgow, the home of COP26, and will last for six months.

Costa Coffee will be using the trial to gain feedback from customers and learn about uptake and behaviour towards reusable cups. It will then use its findings to optimise and develop a scheme that will roll out more widely across the UK in phases.

What’s happening in India

Not just cafes but India has also seen a rapid growth in coffee production and manufacture. Brands like Rage Coffee, Araku, Blue Tokai are doing a fab job when it comes to giving an exceptional product to the ever growing Indian customer. As per reports the ~INR7000cr Indian packaged coffee segment is dominated by incumbents with two players - Nestle and HUL (Nescafe &Bru) - controlling over 65% market share of the industry and this is a good time for homegrown brands to tap the market.

“Along with our constant effort to innovate and launch innovative new offerings and trend setting products, we are planning to expand our distribution network. It is also our vision to grow our revenues by 5x and reach over 3000 retailers by the end of 2021 and be a leader in building true omni-channel presence in our category,” shared Bharat Sethi of Rage Coffee in an interview that is targeting 16-35 years old who have already identified coffee as their go-to beverage.

On the other hand, Gurgaon-based coffee startup Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters that raised Rs 17 crore in pre-series B bridge round led by Anicut Angel Fund, is aiming to launch new products, execute farm-level interventions to improve quality, expand internationally and for marketing.

May Interest: Anicut Angel Fund invests Rs 17 cr in Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters

“Cafes were an important part of that mission, but like many brands, Covid-19 completely upended the economics of that business. We were fortunate to already have a strong D2C (direct-to-customer) presence and by refocusing our efforts on our online sales channels, we’ve been able to grow our revenue nearly 50 per cent more than our pre-Covid peak,” said Matt Chitharanjan, Co-founder, Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters that started selling its coffee online and through B2B partnerships.

Hence, we can say that there is much more that is brewing in coffee segment this year!

Tata Starbucks Private Limited today celebrated the opening of its 200^th store in India, in Amritsar, Punjab – its first location in the golden city.

It’s entry into the city of Amritsar marks an important milestone that commemorates eight years in India and highlights the company’s long-term commitment to growth in one of Starbucks fastest-growing markets globally.

Also Read: Starbucks enters Lucknow, opens two stores in the city

“Opening the doors to our 200^th store in Amritsar is a proud moment for our partners (employees) and I want to thank them for their passion and commitment as we expand in this vibrant region,” said Navin Gurnaney, CEO, Tata Starbucks Pvt. Ltd.

The new Starbucks store, located on the sprawling Ranjit Avenue, blends local art and design with Starbucks coffee heritage.

Inspired by local coffee-growing communities, the store features a picturesque ceiling that mimics the undulating landscape of the region’s coffee farms, lit with a warm glow that accentuates its contours and curved lines.

Starbucks also worked with local artisans to create bespoke pieces that celebrate the community’s creativity and collaborative spirit. The space features two customized artworks created by local artists and a colourful tapestry handcrafted by local weavers.

“Our goal with the Amritsar store is to create a welcoming third place that is safe, familiar and convenient. We are delighted to introduce the premium Starbucks experience to customers in Amritsar and create moments of connection as we share our passion and knowledge of coffee,” added Gurnaney.

Blending Starbucks passion for artistry with its vision for a more sustainable future, the store features Tata Starbucks first-ever upcycled art installation in India – the iconic Siren painted on handcrafted paper using coffee grounds.

Also, customers in Amritsar can choose from an extensive range of Starbucks beverages, including the newly launched Starbucks® Diwali Blend and Honey Turmeric Latte.

May Interest: Tata Starbucks Introduces Diwali Blend to Celebrate Coffee Heritage

In celebration of the 200^th store in India, the new Starbucks store in Amritsar will offer 200 customers 50 percent off on a Venti-sized handcrafted beverage between October 22, 2020 and October 26, 2020. (Terms and conditions apply)

Customers can also join the My Starbucks Rewards™ loyalty program. Through My Starbucks Rewards™, members earn Stars for eligible purchases of coffee, food, drinks and merchandise, all of which customers can enjoy in-store along with free Wi-Fi access.

Soon after President Donald Trump suspends Syrian refugees and travel bans six other Muslim-majority nations, Starbucks the global leader in the coffee market has come forward to support the refugees.

Starbucks Chairman & CEO, Howard Schultz in a letter to its employee mentioned deep concern over President Trump’s announcement.

Schultz in his letter mentioned that since Starbucks has always believed in employing young people, it will hire 10,000 refugees over five years in the 75 countries around the world where Starbucks does business.

“We have a long history of hiring young people looking for opportunities and a pathway to a new life around the world. This is why we are doubling down on this commitment by working with our equity market employees as well as joint venture and licensed market partners in a concerted effort to welcome and seek opportunities for those fleeing war, violence, persecution and discrimination.,” says Starbucks CEO adding that there are more than 65 million citizens of the world recognized as refugees by the United Nations.

The cafe chain will start this effort in the U.S. by making the initial focus of the hiring efforts on those individuals who have served with U.S. troops as interpreters and support personnel in the various countries where our military has asked for such support.

“So, while we seek to understand what the new Administration’s policies mean for us and our business both domestically and around the world, I can assure you that we will do whatever it takes to support you, our partners, to realize your own dreams and achieve your own opportunities. We are in business to inspire and nurture the human spirit, one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time – whether that neighborhood is in a Red State or a Blue State; a Christian country or a Muslim country; a divided nation or a united nation. That will not change,” adds the Chairman. 

                                                                                                                                                                Pic Courtesy: Fast Company

Starbucks, world’s largest coffee chain, which entered India in 2012, observes major business opportunities in India to unfold in 2016.

The group CEO and Chairman Howard Schultz was on a one day visit to India, and he sees India a land of opportunities and success.

"We see a major business opportunity here. In 2016, we intend to bring our speciality tea brand Teavana here, which we acquired in the US two years ago," added Schultz.

Four reason that motivates Starbucks coffee to expand in India:

Land of opportunity: As the country is welcoming new trends and brands, this could be the best time for any restaurant and cafe chain to spread their wings in a country, which is really getting them a good return. The coffee chain has been posting increased customer traffic for the last few quarters, despite the increase in prices of its coffee items. In Q4, the company witnessed a 4% increase in customer count, effectively resulting in 3% growth in the traffic for the fiscal 2015.

‘Millenials’ a growth booster: The Indian audience is overall responding very well to the influx of international chains in the market. Brands like Carl’s Jr, Burger King, Starbucks Coffee, Dunkin’ Donuts, are gaining customers’ attention by bringing in the new and tweaked menu as per  likes of the local customers’. Hence, it could be another reason for the cafe chain to target Indian market.

Digital disruption: With 2015 turning out to be the year of social wars and tech disruption, Starbucks, which is a youth centric brand can garner biggest traffic from the social media. And, as the tech-disruption gives an opportunity for people to get the food delivered to their home, the cafe chain is also focusing on growing its delivery business in India. "One of the areas where we have grown significantly and become the best-in-class is social media. We have built tremendous value in that, and we’ll bring it here next summer," Schultz added.

Rise of RTC and RTE products: As predicted by the industry leaders, 2016 will be the year of packaged food growth and this could give Starbucks an opportunity to build a significant presence in the consumer packaged goods segment where it sees a bright opportunity.

Starbucks operates in the country under a 50:50 joint venture with Tata Global Beverages and runs 75 outlets across seven cities under the label of Tata-Starbucks since October 2012.

Though the company had said at the launch that it would open 50 stores in the first year of operations, in over three years it has reached only 75.

In a bid to strengthen the mobile payment services, Starbucks Cafes will begin accepting Apple's mobile payment system in a pilot programme starting this year, said Jennifer Bailey, Vice President, Apple to Reuters.

Speaking at Re/code technology conference in Half Moon Bay, California, Bailey also mentioned that restaurant chains like KFC and Chili's will also begin accepting Apple Pay in 2016.

The service gives Apple a chance to tie customers more tightly to its phones and its smart watch, as well as to take a tiny bite from every retail transaction.

Apple launched the payment service a year ago and has claimed 2015 would be the "year of Apple Pay" as it aggressively courts retailers.

But interviews by Reuters with analysts, merchants and others have suggested that Apple's forecast may have been too optimistic and that many retailers remain sceptical about the payment system.

Customer demand for mobile wallets has been slow, and analysts agree that they remain a tiny percentage of US retail transactions.

Starbucks, the global coffee major, has made ordering more easy by launching the order ahead app in order to avoid people waiting in long queues in the cafe.

The update enables customers in the US to order and pay ahead for their purchases, shared a Starbucks statement.

Once customers are at the cafe they can collect their pre-ordered food and coffee from the bar area at the Starbucks cafe of their choice.

The app provides a timeframe for when the order will be ready.

Starbucks tested the new feature in several cities before rolling it out nationwide this week.

The company is also planning to launch the app in the global markets by next months.

"Bringing Mobile Order and Pay to our customers is about meeting their needs of convenience and customization at any time of the day," Adam Brotman, Chief Digital Officer, Starbucks shared in a statement.

Starbucks Coffee, which is known for blending the perfect cup of coffee, has initiated the ‘Race Together’ campaign in America.

The coffee company has partnered with USA Today to tackle the issue of racism in America.

This week, baristas at 12,000 Starbucks locations nationally will try to spark customer conversation on the topic of race by writing two words on customer cups: Race Together.

Also, a special "Race Together" newspaper supplement, co-authored by Starbucks and USA TODAY, will appear in USA TODAY print editions starting from 20th March and will be distributed at Starbucks stores.

How it began

As racially-charged tragedies unfolded in communities across the country, the Chairman and CEO of Starbucks didn’t remain a silent bystander. Howard Schultz voiced his concerns with partners (employees) in the company’s Seattle headquarters and started a discussion about race in America.

Despite raw emotion around racial unrest from Ferguson, Missouri to New York City to Oakland, Schultz said, “We at Starbucks should be willing to talk about these issues in America."

Adding further, he said, "Not to point fingers or to place blame, and not because we have answers, but because staying silent is not who we are."

Partners were not silent. For more than an hour, at an all-hands meeting at the Starbucks Support Centre, partners representing various ages, races and ethnicities passed a microphone and shared personal stories.

“The current state of racism in our country is almost like humidity at times. You can’t see it, but you feel it,” said one of the partners.

A thousand more voices have joined the conversation

Over the past three months, more than 2,000 Starbucks partners have discussed racial issues at open forums in Oakland, Los Angeles, St Louis, New York and Chicago.

In the midst of a conversation with partners in St Louis, a soft spoken young man shared that he was proud to have reached the age of 20.

“The magnitude of that statement might have been lost on many in the room, but for me, it brought to light a deeply troubling situation. For some young people in our country, just staying alive is their biggest and most important accomplishment,” said Kelly Sheppard, a Starbucks 15-year partner who attended two of the forums. “How could that be in 21st century America with all of the promise and opportunity our nation provides?”

In each forum, partners demonstrated vulnerability and courage as they shared personal stories.  The gatherings highlighted the mission and values of Starbucks, and the partners’ desire to do more.

Inviting customers for discussion

Baristas in cities where the forums were held said they wanted to do something tangible to encourage greater understanding, empathy and compassion towards one another.

Given their willingness to discuss race relations, many partners wanted to begin conversations with their customers too. Partners in New York, Chicago, St Louis, Oakland and Los Angeles have voluntarily begun writing “Race Together” on Starbucks cups.

Partners in all Starbucks stores in the US will join them today. Partners in Starbucks stores may also engage customers in conversation through Race Together stickers available in select stores, and a special USA Today newspaper section arriving in stores later this week.

In addition, full-page ads in The New York Times and USA Today support the Race Together initiative, which will be further outlined during Starbucks 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders in Seattle on Wednesday.

Race Together is not a solution, Schultz acknowledged, “It is an opportunity to begin to re-examine how we can create a more empathetic and inclusive society – one conversation at a time.”
 

Indian coffee industry is witnessing an interesting phase where there are instances of shutting down doors of non-profitable coffee chains on one side and on the other side few are experiencing exponential growth. In this paradox situation, what home brands are doing to make business sustainable? Let’s take a closer look!

Market Approach

Indian coffee market which is growing at 17 per cent annually is outpacing the overall QSR segment. Customers are today flocking to coffee shops since the concept of coffee and snacks between meals is growing in India. Major international players like Starbucks Coffee which entered Indian market in partnership with Tata Beverages and Costa Coffee, operated by Ravi Jaipuria led Devyani International, is facing stiff competition from the home grown players like Cafe Coffee Day, Mocha, Indian Coffee House and Leo Coffee. Not only this, major international coffee chains like Barista, Lavazza, Gloria Jean’s Coffee and Di Bella Coffee are facing set-back in operations after re-entering the Indian market.  

There are three major obstacles for international coffee retailing in India. First, real estate in India, especially in metros and Tier I cities, has become a big challenge. Second, hiring and retention of competent manpower is an issue and third, there is relatively slow pace of growth in the sector as compared to other segments.

“Traditionally, we consume over 15-20 per cent of what we produce but that gap is growing, the production and the consumption are increasing and we are now close to 25-35 per cent of consumption,” says Anil Bhandari, President, India Coffee Trust.

Local vs. Global

Over the last one year, local players like Cafe Coffee Day, Mocha and Leo Coffee are aggressively expanding their footprints in India. However, major brands like Costa Coffee and Gloria Jean’s Coffee have to either shutdown their outlets or have change their location due to the problems of high rentals and high price points as Indian consumers (middle class people or young Indian crowds) are highly price sensitive.

At the same time, Cafe Coffee Day is youth or consumer preference centric brand committed to bring a world-class coffee experience and customer service. The brand has a core team of F&B experts, food technologists, and trainers who ensure that the chain remains relevant and trendsetter. It is ensured that there is something new and exciting on offer at regular intervals.

“Competition does not influence our growth strategy. At CCD, we understand the importance of ‘listening’ to the youth. So the idea is to first expand our digital footprint and then listen, understand and engage with the youth and thus evolve with them. For example, CCD has co-created its existing look and feel based on our consumer feedback. A few items in the menu have been introduced after engaging with the youth in these spaces and understanding their wants and desires,” says, Venu Madhav, COO, CCD.

On the other hand, Leo Coffee, operated by Venu Srinivasan, is nearly half-century-old filter coffee brand based out of Chennai. The firm exports coffee to big domestic and international companies. The coffee major has a strong foothold in countries like the US, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and West Asian countries. Leo exports at least a tonne of roasted coffee beans and powder every month to the US alone. “Genuine coffee drinkers prefer filter coffee to instant ones and now drinking filter coffee is fashionable,” says Srinivasan.

Leo Coffee has 40 company-owned outlets and 200 shop-in-shop counters in supermarkets and department stores across Chennai. The group has also established the brand’s presence in e-commerce portals like Amazon, Snapdeal, eBay and Shopclues.

Not only this, the brand has recently entered into the cafe segment by opening Mylapore Mocha. “We want to mark our presence in that space too. As of now, it has half-a-dozen outlets. These outlets are not very elaborate like other Café chains. We wanted them to be small joints where people can just enjoy a cuppa,” he added.

This shows that global brands are really facing a challenge in competing with the national players in order to gain significant market share in India.

It is indeed a fact that India is primarily a tea drinking nation with low coffee consumption. According to the report published by NRAI, the per capita coffee consumption in India is 80 gm a year, whereas in developed countries it is 8kg a year. However, of late, the café culture has witnessed an aggressive expansion by established brands.

The size of the chain cafe market is estimated at INR 1520 crore (USD 290 million) in 2013 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20%, to reach INR 3,775 crore (USD 725 million) by 2018.

The forays by new brands and the cosmopolitan culture of the cities has led the foundation of international brands like Starbucks opening their outlets in the country. On the other hand National coffee chain, Café Coffee Day has its outlet in almost every city.

The spokesperson at Tata Starbucks says “The 50-50 joint venture between US café chain Starbucks Company and Tata Global Beverages will invest over time based on the demands of the business and the requirements of our customers to build a strong presence in the market.”

Café Coffee Day and Barista Lavazza have started the stage for coffee-drinking in India, marking their presence in the Core Café segment. The Café Coffee Day Lounge and Barista Crème also made a mark in the Core+Café segment.

Café’s are becoming popular hang-out destinations. At the same time, the evolving consumer lifestyles have given rise to other beverage-based outlets such as Tea lounges (Wagh bakri, Infinitea), Liquor café (Boombox café, Urban Café) Chocolate café’s (The Chocolate Room, Bliss chocolate lounge) and Juice/Smoothie Café’s (Booster Juice).

Market Players

According to report by NRAI, “Several national and international brands are making inroads into the café business. Currently, there are 100 chain café’s and bakery brands, with an estimated 3,100-3,200 outlets spread across various cities in India. With tough competition, players are trying to differentiate themselves by tailoring their offerings in terms of ambience, service and developing newer products such as regional flavours, international coffee blends, etc.”

Market leaders Café Coffee Day and Barista Lavazza have marked their presence across all formats, viz. lounge, café express and kiosk, while some others like Gloria Jean’s Coffees and Au Bon Pain have a distinguished presence in more than two formats. Costa Coffee is present only in the Café segment.

Mr. Pawan Raina, COO, Mocha, says “We are present in 13 cities across India and have 20 cafes all over. We are opening a new café in Guwahati this year and so far have opened 3 outlets already in this year. By March we will have at least 2-3 more locations under different stages of opening.”

He further adds “the reason for growing café cultures in the country is because it is aspirational, it is an experience to enjoy and savour or a meeting place to meet your colleagues or carry out a business meeting. This trend is present in Tier- II and III cities as well.”