Starbucks will be launching the Trenta cup nationwide on March 6, 2012. Granted, I have not verified this but I’ve heard this several times over. Interestingly, I hear that Canada is not getting the Trenta yet.
The last time I wrote about the Trenta was back in January of last year. I recommend going back and looking at that because I outlined the history of the Trenta cup’s development:
Starbucks introduces the 31-ounce Trenta on January 18th.
^That blog article was from 2011, and when I wrote it, I had heard that there would be a nationwide launch of the Trenta in May 2011. I guess that didn’t happen! It wasn’t unreasonable to think that the new size was supposed to launch everywhere by May 2011 – that had been reported in a number of major news sources.
And here’s the official Starbucks blog post on the Trenta cup (posted by Starbucks in January 2011):
http://www.starbucks.com/blog/-trenta-means-more-refreshment/653
It looks like March 6,2012 will be a big day at Starbucks: Tribute Blend, new petites including a cherry pie, and the Trenta cup! Well, many parts of the United States already offer the Trenta cup, but it will be new in the Pacific Northwest.
Just as a reminder, this size is only for Iced Tea, Iced Coffee, and Iced Tea Lemonades. For the Starbucks stores that offer the Refreshers, the Trenta size cup is available for the Refresher beverages too.
This is an open thread! Talk about anything Starbucks-related. Lately, I haven’t felt like I’ve had a lot to write about. Well, if I ever do totally run out of things to write about, that’ll be the end of this blog. 😉 Thank goodness Starbucks always has something new around the corner.
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Melody when I first heard about the Trenta cup and saw its size I said oh never would I get it. Well, I have changed my view of it. Although I do not get if often, I find myself getting it when I want to nurse my iced tea or when I know I am going to the gym. I am not sure how many people get this size, but it is nice to have it as an option. On another topic- it is hard for me to believe you are feeling a struggle to find topics to write about. You continue to provide great content for your blog! Thank you.
I know of a couple of tea and iced coffee regulars who will be really happy to see their beverage trenta-sized 😉
My regular Starbucks has had a hectic week. A paint, major rearrangement, new tables and chairs (inside and out), and new outdoor umbrellas “remodel”. Each morning the “remodel crew” has left a tremendous mess, but the Partners have gone above and beyond to get the store open on time and in respectable shape. The only thing that is positive is the rearrangement, tables are too small and the chairs are the most uncomfortable that I have ever sat in. I’ll stop here as I feel a rant coming on.
I never could bring myself to get a Trenta. I only very, very rarely get a Venti and it’s usually not a cold drink anyway. My co-worker used to get the Berry Hibiscus Refresher in a Trenta size when they tested the Refreshers here. She would have it for the entire morning! Looking forward to March 6th, for all the new things…Valentine’s day was sad except for the paper cups, I thought.
Unfortunately the Trenta doesn’t have that much more coffee or tea then an iced venti drink. When made correctly it get “two” 12oz scoops of ice where the iced venti would get about one 12oz-16oz scoop depending on the customization of the beverage.
I have purchased a few Trenta iced coffees with light ice when I have a 6+hr workshop that I have to attend at work.
And here I was wondering if Starbucks still offered the Trenta cups in Hawaii (they do). I thought it was a temporary experiment. I guess not if it rolls out nationwide.
For the record, I am sure I can drink a Trenta, which is a bit of a surprise to me. When I was home in California a couple of times last year, I really had no problem with a Trenta Hibiscus Berry Refresher. Delicious! The hot weather in the OC makes it easier to drink that much iced tea or Refresher.
@Melody: that was January of LAST yr (2011) that you last wrote about this. just an fyi.
I thought it had already been launched everywhere….. obviously wrong.
@DadC…..welcome to my “re-model” world, altho I’m guessing yours can’t possibly be as bad. Luckily, the dm and the rdm are really on this BAD DESIGN and BAD workmanship…..in the store quite often trying to see that things keep moving toward improvement. Obviously, at this point, they’re just waiting, mostly…..but they are really on it. I am sooooo disgusted at corp. Sbux for this total mess-up……..as is absolutely everyone assoc. with this store. Good luck with yours.
@Denise – Thanks for catching that! I fixed it – Should have said “last year.”
Another big thing…and the international, European market can wait a couple more years.
But anyway…I can’t wait to enjoy my Trenta Espresso Frap someday.
Wow, that trenta cup is huge. I wonder when it will hit Europe?
I guess the size isn’t so strange for iced tea or iced coffee, though. When it’s hot, and you want to drink a lot to rehydrate yourself, it makes sense to grab a big cup. 🙂
Oh gosh I could make a comment or two about renovations in the store. It seems when my local SB did their remodel a few years ago they thought it fit the space. HA! The space is just as claustraphobic as before and whenever you get up from the benches lining the walls your back hurts. I really wish they would have conducted a focus group with regulars to get input into what would work, etc. Overall, the store is not appealing to the eye.
Oh strange, i already thought it was launched nationwide. But none the less yay! This would explain why it was never put on the menu as a size. I get the Trenta pretty much when ever i get an iced team and i love it.
I gotta say that living in Southern California Inland Areas Trenta is a MUST HAVE in the summer months here. We have had them here since last year & I lived on the Trenta Iced Greentea…when it’s over 100. I do have to say I ran into problems though with last summers Green Coffee Drinks (The Lime Cooler) because it was not programmed in for charging Trenta size so some places wouldn’t sell that size while others had no problems at all.
I did have a couple of friends that called it a McTrenta & said it was gross to order a drink that size, but while we were out at the pool or the beach and they had to run to get another one, I still had my gross McTrenta and didn’t loose any sleep over the fact that hipsters say its just not right.
I can see where a Trenta size would come in handy in certain situations, like the fellow above stated.
I, for one, am looking forward to the cherry pie!
[…] here in Hawaii. Not only that, but it seems that Starbucks is making this temporary offering a permanent menu item nationwide. And since we’re talking about the Trenta, I had to go out and get one.You might be […]
I hope they would introduce trenta this time. Thanks for the update!
I said it last year and I’ll say it again, a quart, really…….
I will be having the last of my last years Tribute Blend for breakfast in the morning. What a year since then it has been, and got to see you in the middle there somewhere across Texas. As we say when company leaves, yawl, come back now, ya here.
I enjoy the Trenta cup size for my iced tea, it’s just more tea and lasts longer.
The remodel of my old store was fantastic. I have been very impressed with our local remodels here. I just checked out another remodeled store a few days ago and it was really nicely done. They added a Clover, too, which always makes me happy. That makes about 3 clovers in my “area”.
It would be nice to get some free coupons for the upcoming intro of the cherry and apple pies. Also, as a way of recognizing customers SB might consider a free coupon for getting a trenta size beverage especially for those of us that often get that size. Certainly, SB can see what customers have purchased the trenta size.
Just got a starbucks rewards email about the new york style bagels in the stores but no coupon or such included. What are the rewards in this email? Why put it under the heading of starbucks rewards? Anyone else receive this?
@purple — all the cardholders in my family (4) received emails this morning “May we tempt you with something new from Starbucks?”. It was promoting the return of the Chonga bagel, a Peach Raspberry Yogurt Parfait (which we will not see since were are a “remote” location 😉 ), Raspberry Truffle Cake Pops, and a Chicken Sausage Breakfast Wrap.
No coupon or discount.
The emails also promoted MSI so MSI will probably be overloaded for the next few days with lots of clueless repeat “ideas”. I am getting tired of replying to the clueless with Starbucks links to their questions — not ideas. Way too many people refuse to use Google or a site’s own search to find information. I am also getting tired of the gimmie gimmie crowd, multiple personality ID schizoids, and mod replies that just parrot an old company line. At least the mods did intervene in a bunch of trash talk comments earlier this week, but have still not got the clue that MSI is broke and not a positive reflection on Starbucks.
Sorry folks, I guess my displeasure with the remodel at my regular Starbucks is affecting my attitude (doesn’t take much these days 😉 ).
I guess these emails from this morning are regionally based. I did not see any mention of MSI in my email and I already deleted it so cannot go back. I have pretty much stopped going to MSI when I once contributed comments. Sad for sure.
@DadC……I feel your pain…as you said to me (I think?) re: my store’s realllllly messed up (ongoing, re-doing) “re-model”. Makes me very crabby too, which, as you said, doesn’t take much these days……
and I agree with SuzanneC……it’s a quart!
For iced coffee but not iced Americanos?
We’ve had the trenta since the beginning. We get a lot of people asking for trenta waters and trenta frappuccinos(that would near 1000+ calories). It still baffles me how one can drink that much at once, it is more than your stomach should consume at once.
Wow, this is big news! I would LOVE to have it for cold drinks here because I want ice in my coffee or tea but when I do get it, I end up finishing the drink in two sips. Definitely could use a trenta sized drink for our hot and humid summers here ;D
@Theatrenut – That’s a good question. I guess that would be just too many shots to pull at once. @Diele – I would think that it would be rare to get a Trenta Frappuccino request. That is like a big meal! As to the Trenta waters, I sort of understand that in the sense probably people carry it around and drink it for a while. Who knows, maybe it takes all day to drink a Trenta Frappuccino, but that can’t possibly taste good after several hours???
@Kaori – I doubt this is coming to Japan! I think yours is one of the only markets with a 8 ounce or very small Frappuccino size? Can you get a “short” Frappuccino in Japan?
I am nursing a Trenta now of iced green tea and it usually takes me all day to finish. I like that option as I have said before. I am not sure it would work as you say Melody with a drink that is not iced. I also make sure when getting a Trenta that they put light ice in it.
Unless a customer is buying a Trenta in order to split with a friend, this size is offensive to the idea of limiting consumption in order to preserve the environments.
American are horrible overconsumers, and Starbucks should not be encouraging this behaviour.
Winter I have to disagree with you. As I have said, when I get the trenta size I know I will be drinking it slowly and most likely all day so I feel I am not abusing the environment by getting it. In fact, by getting that size I am only using the one cup and I often reuse these cups anyway by adding more tea to them at home.
@Winter – I fundamentally think that consumers should be able to pick for themselves how they want to eat. And in any case, I think if one really is just drinking Iced Tea or Iced Coffee in a Trenta cup, it’s not a big deal. Or even for that matter, I know that I can absolutely drink a Trenta Berry Refresher! I’ve had the Trenta size a couple of times when visiting family in Calif,. I really wonder if the Trenta will sell in Seattle just because the climate obviously is not So Cal.
purple1, if you would be drinking that much coffee/tea anyway, I’m not criticizing you for it. That’s not the usage pattern I was referring to. I’m talking about the customers who would otherwise have ordered a venti, consumed it, and been through for the day, not to return to Starbucks for more until the next day. I suspect some of these, simply by seeing the trenta size, will choose that, even though it is actually an unnecessary and in many cases unhealthy choice.
Melody, I just posted on FB a tangentially related topic, regarding obesity, and I fundamentally disagree with you. For people who live isolated on deserted islands, with no other contact, I would agree with you that yes, they should be able to choose to eat whatever they want, and however much they want.
But for people who live in a society, and in a connected world, their choices have an impact on the rest of us. I fault Starbucks and other companies, and even the government, for encouraging people to consume more, more, more, rather than less, less, less.
I love the Trenta sized drinks and we got ours during the initial roll out here in Texas. My order of Black Tea Lenonade sweetened light ice and it lasts me all day at work and into the evening at home. They are refreshing during the summer months in the 100 degree plus heat here in my state.
Melody, I enjoyed the other blogs you referred me to and am following Dave on Facebook now but was wondering if there are any more U.S. bloggers who share a love of Starbucks that you could point me to. Thanks!
Dang I misspelled lemonade in the above post…LOL
I wanted to rant a teeny bit about the discontinuation of the Mexico Shade Grown Organic blend…I LOVED this blend and it was consistently a top seller at cooking.com website. Do they NOT check with their customer base and sellers before deciding to remove a top rated coffee?
I tried both Blonde roasts and did not care for the Willow blend but I let two die hard Folgers drinkers try it and THEY LOVED IT and took the bag home with them and wanted more. I liked the Veranda blend but it won’t be a regular in my 25+ bag stockpile since I am a dark roast fan.
When we first rolled out the Trenta cups last year, we consistently got requests for Trenta Frappuccinos for the first 4-6 weeks. Now that might be because here in the Central Valley of CA, we’re a huge blended beverage market, but people would buy them if they could. After ‘training’ the customers to understand that the cup is only for iced coffees and teas we rarely hear that request.
We’ve had arguments about making Trenta Iced Americanos, but our consensus came down to the fact that the register won’t let you ring up that beverage, therefore it’s not available.
As long as it has the dual purpose of satisfying customer demand and making the company more successful, I’m okay with the size.
You know Trenta Americano’s make some sense. It’s somewhat similar to the Iced Coffee.
On the other hand it might be too similar to a Latte for corporate’s comfort. What happens when you get a Trenta Americano with light water, 3 inches of soy, and Vanilla! Or – egads – Trenta Americano, no water, all 2% milk with vanilla.
Spooky!
@Sandra – That’s an interesting comment! I am glad to hear you’re enjoying Dave’s blog too. His is definitely a fave Starbucks blog of mine.
Speaking of blogs, (and what I say really applies to the vast overwhelming majority of blogs, whether on a Starbucks topic or something else) what I’ve generally found is that lots of people start blogs and then don’t maintain them. Some people start blogs and pepper them with google adsense ads everywhere, thinking somehow they’ll get rich. Lots of people start blogs and post a ton of content in the beginning, and then peter out, not recognizing it has to be constantly updated. I mean, this fundamentally is the problem with blogs … It’s like have a pet dog that you constantly have to feed, or else it won’t grow big (and might die!), and it’s a bit like having a restaurant where you constantly have to offer something new and exciting on the menu or else people won’t come back. And honestly, if you just look at blogs, that’s what you see all over the place.
When it comes to blogs about Starbucks, the problems of people starting them and not updating them are just the same as with so many blogs. There are probably a tiny number of Starbucks blogs that are established and continually updated.
I’ve done tons of google searches, and there must be like at least 50 or 60 Starbucks blogs, but many aren’t updated, and many lack great content. (That’s what I aspire for, not saying it always works!)
For example, BCav, a partner in Texas started this blog, and essentially stopped updating it:
http://thecoffeeninja.com/
A customer in Canada started this blog, which began as such an enthusiastic fan blog –
http://starbuckspassion.tumblr.com/
I talked with him on twitter and asked him why he stopped updating it, and he’s basically lost all his passion for Starbucks.
From twitter, (actually, most blogs I really find through my twitter stream) I found this blog –
http://coffeevanilla.wordpress.com/2012/02/16/spread-love-with-starbucks/
^ April is a customer in Florida who loves Starbucks. Her blog began as a Starbucks fan blog, but I think she found that she couldn’t write just about Starbucks (it’s hard to maintain!) and so it has morphed into a blog about a variety of coffee roasters, about her fave recipes to pair with coffee, and about Starbucks. She also is a bit inconsistent with updates, though she just recently did.
Oh yes – There is a podcast created by a guy in Canada who is a former Starbucks barista:
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/green-apron-radio/id493059421?ign-mpt=uo%3D4
^ I know that partner from twitter, and we’ve talked a number of times, and he’s emailed me a number of times. I’m sort of baffled by that. I must be the only soul that really doesn’t use itunes. I can’t say much about his content -just haven’t had the time to really spend any time listening to podcasts about Starbucks. It feels time consuming to me, but I think I might have the odd man out opinion here.
There is this blog here –
http://adambrotman.com/blog/
^ That isn’t really per se a Starbucks blog, but I do love that one. That blog is actually written by a Starbucks executive and it touches on lots of topics related to being entrepreneurial and Starbucks comes up as a related topic often times.
Of course there is one blog that is more well-known than mine and is a blog that relates to Starbucks, but I find its tone of voice a bit too sensational and just designed to get clicks. It most certainly has a significant role in the world of Starbucks, and gets tons of comments, some of which have interesting insights, but overall, it’s not my cup of tea. It’s that big blog referred to in the book Onward and it’s not this one (of course this blog didn’t exist during Howard’s “transformation” and seriously, we’re not transforming anything here at StarbucksMelody. ;))
Sandra, you got me on a topic that I find interesting. I am actually stunned how so very common it is for customers to create fan site for their favorite corporate brands. Anyways, as to current blogs, that have been established for more than just a couple of months, and are still updated constantly about Starbucks, there aren’t >that< many.
A part of me is surprised that someone could write about Anthropologie for a whole blog, but sure enough there is a customer fan site for Anthropologie:
http://effortlessanthropologie.blogspot.com/
And this is an incredible LuLuLemon fan blog – Wow, this person is totally addicted to Lululemon –
http://luluaddict.blogspot.com/
This ikea fan blog would trip me up as the real thing if I didn't look closely at it:
http://www.ikeafans.com/
^ And note that a PR 4 – That's an incredible customer ikea fan blog.
And of course, you can easily find sites that adore Apple.
Whew! I got on a roll there. Will stop now.
@Melody, yes you’re probably right, it’s never coming over here. Our current sizes are small, tall, grande, and venti. Seeing how they ran out of holiday cups last year, I’d guess that tall is the favorite, followed by small. I think they still have holiday cups for venti…but one can always dream!
PS: Your comment about blogs reminded me I need to update mine ;D
Oops, I meant to write “short,” not “small!” (shows I never get that size from how easily I forget ;D)
Ok Melody I have to ask- what is LuLu Lemon? I do not think it is around here. Great comment about all the blogs out there. I just am amazed at how many bloggers there are! On another comment- I really wish our local SB was up for another renovation. It is so tired looking.
@Purple1 – Google it! 😉 http://shop.lululemon.com/home.jsp – Lululemon makes athletic wear for women.
I’m excited for the Trenta for myself for unsweetened black teas, but I’ll probably only get them occasionally. I always try to use my Venti tumbler when I’m working and usually on my days off too. I’m concerned about customer reactions to the very strict rules about what can go in the Trenta cups. We have a lot of DM exceptions in our market as she prefers to give people what they want… great in principle, but it doesn’t always work in practice. We have a few customers who know they can call her and complain and, ultimately, get whatever they want.
Hopefully the DMs will be given guidelines about what exceptions they are able to make for people. I dislike telling customers no, but when they want a Trenta caramel frappuccino with 35 pumps caramel, half a bottle of caramel sauce, and extra whipped cream… I’ll just feel better not serving that.
@Melody I hear you with regards to consumer choice, but I also feel that questionable choices should be discouraged. I work at Starbucks, we have very few (if any) truly healthy food and beverage options. That the company recognizes this and is actively promoting the healthier options we do have is nice. Not offering a ridiculously sized blended beverage with over a thousand calories is nice too.
Melody, thanks for the info on the blogs. It makes me appreciate yours ALL the more. I love Starbucks…daily. It is ingrained in my life and I would work for them if I could but somehow I think I am a better customer. 😉
I have always said if caffeine ever becomes an illegal drug I will be the first one in jail. 😉
I even have a Pinterest board devoted to Starbucks.
http://pinterest.com/trolsgirl/got-starbucks/
@Sandra – That is a great pinterest link! Love the collection of photos. You’ve even got an image of the book The Starbucks Experience by Joseph Michelli. Fantastic book in describing the ideals of Starbucks. I almost feel like it should be required reading for partners. It’s a thin book, and much easier to read than Onward, and does a great job of working through the gold-standard ideals of Starbucks. I’ve got a link to its amazon.com page somewhere in my amazon widget in the right column. I hope people are still reading it. (meaning reading the Starbucks Experience) 🙂
I tend to get a trenta in the summer, i drink so much tea i might was well have an IV drip, and that just saves me remaking time
unsweetened though! i can’t imagine how much sugar would be in one otherwise