Starbucks is becoming a member of the protein craze with a brand new line of lattes and chilly foams, a part of what the corporate says is a method to modernize its menu.
The Seattle-based espresso chain mentioned Tuesday that beginning Sept. 29 it’ll add protein chilly foams and protein lattes to its menu. The chilly foam, which prospects can order to high espresso, tea or Starbucks Refreshers, provides about 15 grams of protein to a grande drink. The lattes, made with “protein-boosted milk,” comprise 27 to 36 grams of protein, based on Starbucks.
The brand new menu objects come as the corporate works to reignite gross sales after a income slowdown final 12 months. Underneath CEO Brian Niccol, Starbucks has rolled out a “Again to Starbucks” plan to win again prospects.
The brand new drinks “will resonate with our prospects,” mentioned Tressie Lieberman, Starbucks world chief model officer, mentioned in an organization assertion.
Protein-laden drinks and meals are gaining in popularity for his or her perceived well being advantages, equivalent to serving to construct muscle and supply further diet. The variety of excessive protein drinks available on the market jumped by 122% from 2020 to 2024, according to Innova Market Insights, a world market intelligence firm.
The protein shake market is now a $6 billion sector, based on Beverage Digest, whereas TikTok videos show a growing fascination with protein-packed meals. Objects starting from potato chips to breakfast meals like cereal additionally now come fortified with protein.
What are Starbucks’ new protein drinks?
The brand new lineup of chilly foams might be out there flavors together with:
- banana
- vanilla
- sugar-free vanilla
- chocolate
- matcha
- salted caramel
- brown sugar
- and plain protein chilly foam
Starbucks can be shoring up its fashionable fall menu, which kicked off Aug. 26, with pumpkin and pecan protein chilly foams.
Alongside the chilly foam toppings might be a brand new line of lattes, made with milk that’s blended with protein powder.
Starbucks did not disclose how a lot the brand new merchandise will value relative to the espresso chain’s different drinks. An everyday grande iced latte from Starbucks prices prospects $5.95 earlier than tax.
Clients will even have the ability to request 2% milk blended with protein powder in different milk-based drinks together with common lattes, iced shaken espresso, and coconut milk Refreshers.
Protein craze
The rollout of the brand new protein drinks and chilly foams comes after Starbucks earlier this 12 months piloted a banana-flavored protein cold foam at 5 places throughout the U.S.
As client demand grows, main U.S. manufacturers are on the lookout for methods to money in. Basic Mills announced Cheerios Protein in December 2024, which it says have 8 grams of protein per serving.
PepsiCo can be planning to broaden its protein choices. Throughout their most up-to-date earnings call in July, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta mentioned the corporate has some “massive launches” arising within the liquid protein area on the finish of this 12 months and early subsequent 12 months.
“Shoppers are adopting protein options within the eating regimen at a tempo that was not the case in just a few months again, just a few years again,” he instructed buyers in the course of the name.
