New Starbucks Food and Snacks

Starbucks designs menus to meet the needs of customers at different times of the day and evening. During the summer months, this means creating meals for plane travel or road trips as well as portable food perfect for spontaneous picnics and after work snacks.

“Bistro boxes are the epitome of portable, flexible, grab and go food,” said Melodie Beal, Starbucks product development manager, Food Innovation. “Building on the success of the Protein Bistro Box and Thai-Style Peanut Chicken Wrap, we’re adding the Omega-3 Bistro Box this summer.”

Beal was instrumental in developing this new box, which was provides a nutrient-rich on-the-go option that can be eaten any time of day. The Omega-3 Bistro Box features Smoked wild Alaskan salmon cream cheese spread, edamame hummus, Omega-3-infused trail mix with dark chocolate chunks, wheat-free crackers and cucumbers.

“Customers have been asking for bistro boxes that are good for you and taste delicious as well,” Beal said. “We looked at a list of foods with Omega-3s and started with those foods.”

Also new is a Prosciutto and Mozzarella Pinwheel Bistro Box that is being tested in Orlando and San Diego. It features Prosciutto-wrapped mozzarella, lemon artichoke dip, olive oil and sea salt crackers, bell peppers, grapes and a chocolate truffle bar. 

Making Time for a Quick Bite

In addition to customer feedback, research shows that snacks represent 50% of what Americans eat each day according to Modern Eating: Cultural Roots, Daily Behaviors, a 2013 study by the Hartman Group. Whether in-the-moment snacking or “snack planning,” customers can find a range of small meals at Starbucks® stores from wholesome bites to indulgent treats. This summer, select stores will feature a curated selection of innovative, delicious snacks made by 13 companies.

“Since so many people are snacking these days, we decided to increase the number of snacks we offer in our stores,” said Ellie Halevy, Starbucks vice president, Food. “We looked for companies that could help us provide a wider variety of options both sweet and savory.”

The collection of snacks will be available in 3,400 Starbucks® stores in major metropolitan areas. They will launch in areas where the majority of customers are looking to grab a snack or an interesting new treat as they quickly move to their next destination.

Enhancing Traditional Meals

In addition to the new selection of snacks, Starbucks will provide unique lunch and dinner options. For customers who have requested a heartier sandwich, the new BBQ Beef Brisket on Sourdough offers flavors reminiscent of an outdoor barbecue.

“The recipe was inspired by our product development team’s West Coast roots,” said Halevy. “This sandwich was crafted with high-quality ingredients including iconic San Francisco-Style Sourdough, roasted onions braised in Gordon Biersch Blonde Bock Beer and Sonoma Jack cheese, both from Northern California.”

Another change for Starbucks® sandwiches is an updated Chicken Santa Fe Sandwich. It will now feature an Ancient Grain Flatbread, similar to the Chicken Artichoke Panini that was introduced earlier this year.

“We received rave reviews from customers about our Ancient Grain Flatbread because of its rich, Southwestern flavor and crunchy texture,” said Halevy. “We all agreed that it would be the perfect way to enhance the Chicken Santa Fe Sandwich.”

Several of these new treats in Starbucks® stores are seasonal, like the new Raspberry Chocolate Chip scone that will replace the Cranberry Orange scone for the summer. The collection of snacks will be available while supplies last through September.