Why is Starbucks so popular?

[David1961]

I just don't understand why Starbucks is so popular. Granted, I do not drink coffee, but I know so many people who love that place. Any ideas? Don't people realize how much money they could save in a year if they just made their coffee at home?

 

[CuppaJoe]

Don't quote me but a couple of years ago there was an article about how they come into a good location and gradually increase the caffeine content, hooking people who are already addicted to coffee.

Personally I like their stores but usually go to Peet's instead.

 

[audreyh1]

Confuses the heck out of me! I just don't get it.

Not only is Starbucks coffee/espresso waaaaaay too expensive, it is also BAD. They also way overheat the milk, giving it that yucky carmelized taste. To me their lattes always taste like warm (overheated) milk with just the barest hint of coffee flavor. Even if I ask for an extra shot or two! I suspect the usually let the espresso extract too quickly - a common problem when people don't know what they are doing.

My husband is quite the barrista, and we used to have a commercial grade plumbed in espresso machine back when we lived in a house. He made the best coffee I ever had in my life, and for a year or two I roasted the coffee beans myself. Fantastic, fantastically delicious coffee from our own roasting. One major thing I had to give up to move into a motorhome.

A lot of places overheat the milk and this problem seems to be getting more common. We've started to tell people to stop steaming the milk at 130 degrees or even less.

Back to Starbucks - I can only assume it's the ambience/culture that attracts the customers.

Audrey

 

[bow-tie]

...I can only assume it's the ambience/culture that attracts the customers.Audrey

Or herd mentality

 

[ziggy29]

I think it's seen as a "hangout" more than anything -- a place where people get together, sit around and chat, have a beverage or two and surf around on their wifi.

I know there have been times when we've gone there after a social event, and it wasn't for the coffee, but rather a place to leisurely hang out, where "loitering" long after finishing what you paid for is accepted if not encouraged.

 

[justin]

Good locations on prime corners at busy intersections. Or high pedestrian traffic. Coffee shops get a lot of customers from pass-by traffic.

They are also ubiquitous. Those familiar with them can enjoy the same consistent quality, pricing structure, amenities and lingo the world over. Like McDonald's.

I recently went to a Starbucks for the first time a few months ago. I live a block up from it, and had never visited. Coffee was a little over roasted and tasted very strong. Otherwise no complaints. Not sure what it cost as it was expensed. Probably under $2 for a big cup.

 

[CuppaJoe]

...
I know there have been times when we've gone there after a social event, and it wasn't for the coffee, but rather a place to leisurely hang out, where "loitering" long after finishing what you paid for is accepted if not encouraged.

Sounds like Hemingway's idea of "a clean well-lighted place...." Sometimes we go to Starbuck's because it's the only coffee shop open until 10:00 p.m. Yum!

 

[youbet]

I just don't understand why Starbucks is so popular. Granted, I do not drink coffee

There could just be a link there.........

 

[laurence]

Good locations on prime corners at busy intersections. Or high pedestrian traffic. Coffee shops get a lot of customers from pass-by traffic.

They are also ubiquitous. Those familiar with them can enjoy the same consistent quality, pricing structure, amenities and lingo the world over. Like McDonald's.

I recently went to a Starbucks for the first time a few months ago. I live a block up from it, and had never visited. Coffee was a little over roasted and tasted very strong. Otherwise no complaints. Not sure what it cost as it was expensed. Probably under $2 for a big cup.

Ding! Exactly what I was going to say. You want a non-fat mocha latte no foam? You know exactly what you are going to get. Everybody knows a local place that is better, but when you are away from home, this is a known quantity.

Personally, I think their coffee sucks, and what's more, more than once I've gone in to get a cup of coffee and they've said, "oh, we don't have any right now, would you like an Americana instead?" - what's that second word under "Starbucks" on your sign again?

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

I go with the "hangout" theory - a place you can sit without hassle, read, browse the web, take a break. I rarely do that personally, but when I go in to grab a cup of coffee I always see people just hanging around

The music alone usually drives me off pretty quickly.

 

[HFWR]

Granted, I do not drink coffee...

Blasphemer!!

Some believe the over-roasting is a way to make "inferior" coffee have more "flavor". I happen to light the slightly burned taste...

For everyday use, Kirkland's or "Great Value"...

 

[Bestwifeever]

Drinking cheap homemade coffee as I write this, but I love Starbucks. I heard someone describe their marketing as creating a ten-minute vacation in your day. Yes it's overpriced comparatively but on the other hand it is an affordable luxury--most people can afford it, whether or not they choose to.

But I think the real reason that it's popular with the young folks is that coffee itself has no calories--a skim latte is a cheap indulgence both cost and calorie wise.

And they are supposedly great part-time employers with bennies. And they gave my developmentally disabled friend a job, too.

 

[lazygood4nothinbum]

i've been in a starbucks two maybe three times. doesn't do a thing for me.

when i was in washington dc last month i toured the dupont circle area by bicycle. trying to not lose my way i spotted a starbucks on a corner and made mental note of the landmark. but then i biked about a block or two and--freak me out--there it was again (boy, dupont circle really is a circle). for a second i thought i was hallucinating. so i turned around and looked down the street and sure enough i could see one of their locations from the other one. this sounds so absurd to me today that i'm not even sure if my memory is correct. nah, couldn't be. i must be mistaken. nothing could be that insane.

 

[Calgary_Girl]

No idea. Maybe to make yourself sound smarter by ordering a "Grande Misto dark roast w/ no foam", etc.

My DS hangs out there but she doesn't drink the "poor man's" regular coffee. Nooooooooo, she has to get what I call the "foo-foo" coffee - the mochacinno's and frappucino's at $4 to $5 a pop .

Personally, I'm addicated to Tim Horton's coffee. And at $1.75 for an extra-large, I don't feel too bad. I find Starbucks too bitter.

 

[Calgary_Girl]

when i was in washington dc last month i toured the dupont circle area by bicycle. trying to not lose my way i spotted a starbucks on a corner and made mental note of the landmark. but then i biked about a block or two and--freak me out--there it was again. for a second i thought i was hallucinating. so i turned around and looked down the street and sure enough i could see one of their locations from the other one. this sounds so absurd to me today that i'm not even sure if my memory is correct. nah, couldn't be. i must be mistaken. nothing could be that insane.

Starbucks Coffee, Vancouver Locations & Pictures, Robson Street, BC Ferries

Vancouver, BC
The City of Vancouver has the biggest concentrations of Starbucks outlets in BC with 88 stores. The majority of these happen to be located in the downtown core and in the neighbourhoods of Kerrisdale, Kitsilano and the West End. Robson Street alone has six outlets.

 

[HFWR]

I've heard they're going to put a Starbucks "in a Starbucks"...

Jerry Seinfeld

 

[saluki9]

I love it! I go to Starbucks a minimum of once a day 6 days a week.

First, it's not that expensive. A large "Venti" coffee costs me $2.05. This is $.25 LESS than they charge for a large coffee and Dunkin Donuts near my office. In addition, it's a nice place to sit, do some work, or meet people.

 

[GoodSense]

I have no special affection for Starbucks, but there is one that happens to be a block from my work, and it's a nice excuse to wander out in the middle of the morning. Also a good place for a casual meeting, sometimes even work-related.

I do think when I am in a coffee shop with my laptop, I am far more efficient than at my office. For that reason alone, when I need to really concentrate and write, I sometimes go to a coffee shop. (Ideally without WiFi, because it can be very distractive)

 

[Miss_Lala]

I think it's seen as a "hangout" more than anything -- a place where people get together, sit around and chat, have a beverage or two and surf around on their wifi.

I know there have been times when we've gone there after a social event, and it wasn't for the coffee, but rather a place to leisurely hang out, where "loitering" long after finishing what you paid for is accepted if not encouraged.

It's definitely a "hangout" in my opinion that provides weak but tasty beverages. I'm not a coffee drinker except for the few times a year my one girlfriend and I meet there for a few hours to catch up. It's a pleasant atmosphere that smells pretty good, and they don't mind if you sit there for hours.

But it still costs too much.

 

[Bestwifeever]

Starbucks is no dummy financially--it acquired Seattle's Best, which offers coffee that costs a little less, which is now available in Borders Bookstores.

 

[happy2bretired]

Starbucks Coffee, Vancouver Locations & Pictures, Robson Street, BC Ferries

Vancouver, BC
The City of Vancouver has the biggest concentrations of Starbucks outlets in BC with 88 stores. The majority of these happen to be located in the downtown core and in the neighbourhoods of Kerrisdale, Kitsilano and the West End. Robson Street alone has six outlets.

I visited two of the Starbuck's on Robson Street while in Vancouver early this summer. My daughter slept in at the hotel and I explored early in the morning along Robson. One Starbucks was closed so headed catty corner across the street to the one that was open. It's so weird having that many so close together. Our town only has two Starbucks and two Barnes and Nobles that sells Starbucks. The Barnes and Noble locations are my favorite locations. The Starbuck stores are for my vacations...part of the away from home thing that I truely enjoy.

 

[Nords]

Back to Starbucks - I can only assume it's the ambience/culture that attracts the customers.

Horny teenagers.

And free WiFi for the grownups.

 

[Lazarus]

I drink the free coffee at work. Whatever is on sale at home.

 

[Bestwifeever]

Horny teenagers.

And free WiFi for the grownups.

The horny teenagers might be free, but the WiFi will cost you at Starbucks.

 

[Sandy]

I don't think I've ever been in a retail Starbucks - I have had their coffee at airports when there isn't a lot of choice. I don't like it - too strong/bitter.

As a w*rking mom - there is no time to hang out, so between bad coffee and no time, I certainly can't figure out why they are so popular.