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Starbucks to sell value-meal pairings for $3.95

- Starbucks Corp., which is trying to refashion its image as a more recession-friendly coffeehouse, offered more details Monday on the breakfast "pairings" it will sell beginning March 3.

The gourmet coffee chain said it will introduce value-meal type options for $3.95 each in its U.S. company-owned stores. Customers can order a tall latte and an oatmeal or a slice of reduced-fat cinnamon swirl coffee cake. Drip coffee drinkers can get a tall brewed coffee with a breakfast sandwich at the same price.

Starbucks said it will also launch two new breakfast sandwiches — a bacon sandwich with egg and gouda cheese and a ham sandwich made with egg and cheddar.

Regular prices for the drinks and food items vary depending on the location of the store but a tall latte and an oatmeal can cost as much as $5. Starbucks said the pairings will provide customers with an average savings of as much as $1.20.

Seattle-based Starbucks has struggled to keep its customers as the recession has deepened and has been promoting loyalty cards and other options to give customers more value without hurting its premium brand status.

The company first mentioned the pairings last month after it released fiscal first-quarter results that showed same-store sales — or sales at stores open at least a year — fell 10 percent in the U.S. The sales drop was the biggest yet for the company.

Starbucks also has had to make room for a new lower-priced competitor in the specialty-coffee industry since McDonald's Corp. introduced espresso-based coffee drinks in its U.S. stores.
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  • +2 raves Michael February 11, 2009 03:10:28
    Michael
    Starbucks needs to sell something besides pastries and coffee. In this economy, doesn't seem like people want to spend $4 on a latte. With that being said, I would buy a sandwhich and coffee from Starbucks if it was reasonably priced!
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  • Skullcrusher February 13, 2009 15:37:48
    Skullcrusher
    moderated...
  • Lynn February 12, 2009 03:10:44
    Lynn
    God Bless Capitolism!
  • Michael February 11, 2009 21:31:43
    Michael
    Hey that's funny.. it's only half as expensive as a cup of coffee from there! Maybe that's why they have so much trouble..
  • +1 raves
    SenorBabyMan February 11, 2009 17:41:45
    SenorBabyMan
    Starbucks is a rip-off. I only went there once and stood in line for nearly 15 minutes for $3 not so good coffee
  • +1 raves
    *drop dead, i'm gorgeous;; February 11, 2009 17:12:11
    *drop dead, i'm gorgeous;;
    i love Starbucks coffee.
  • +1 raves
    Comrade Sean February 11, 2009 16:48:50
    Comrade Sean
    Their coffee sucks and they don't have a drive-thru. Two reasons I prefer Dunkin' Donuts. Oh yeah, and DnD is cheaper.
  • +1 raves
    Assassi... Comrade... February 11, 2009 18:48:11 (edited)
    Assassin Felinious
    Yeah.. I wish L.A. had more Dunkin Donuts yeah dunkin donuts
  • Mimi Comrade... February 21, 2009 03:36:09
    Mimi
    Theyre coffee is GREAT... and yes they DO have drive thru... you just happen to be at the wrong Starbucks..... : D
  • Comrade... Mimi February 23, 2009 19:55:21
    Comrade Sean
    Oh, I've never seen one in MA. Must be regional.
  • ♥Nicole~M♥ Comrade... February 21, 2009 22:34:58
    ♥Nicole~M♥
    All of the starbucks here in California I see have drive thrus.
  • +1 raves
    xAxAx February 11, 2009 03:46:17
    xAxAx
    Yet they barely use any fair trade certified coffee.....tisk tisk America with your diamond rings and star bucks coffee. You've effectively made the lives of people all over the world even worse.
  • Mimi xAxAx February 23, 2009 22:46:54
    Mimi
    That's absolutely NOT true..... Starbucks practices fair-trade with most of its growers... Im not going to give u all the details I know... but trust me on this one.
  • xAxAx Mimi February 24, 2009 00:42:49 (edited)
    xAxAx
    misinformed starbucks fair trade stamps bag coffee
    After reading online I noticed that FINALLY by the end of last year Starbucks decided to cover their asses and pick up more fair trade coffee yet that still doesn't excuse how long they use to go without it. Until December of last year only about 5% of starbucks coffee was fair trade certified. I still very much doubt you'll find that sticker on a bag of popular coffee in starbucks. You can't reverse the damage that's been done it's like saying "GAP doesn't wan't to run sweatshops anymore? YAY everyone support GAP!"
  • Mimi xAxAx February 24, 2009 04:28:00
    Mimi
    like I said... I know for a fact that they sell coffee fairly traded with Central America and with Africa.... but I doubt I could convince you...... so be it...

    Look on the bottom side of everything in your house and tell me where it's made.
  • xAxAx Mimi February 24, 2009 18:55:30 (edited)
    xAxAx
    Sorry starbucks is evil and 4 dollars for a cup of coffee is just obscene why not go support local shops that aren't massive conglomerates with obscene prices? Oh yeah and chances are their coffee will be close to 100% fair trade unlike starbucks pathetic 5 to 10%. Might as well go get McDonalds coffee for half the price if you aren't worrying about where it comes from or who it hurts. Oh yeah but the big M doesn't have all the artificial flavor choices or the soccer mom appeal I forgot about that. Eat an apple ditch the coffee that's my motto.
  • Mimi xAxAx March 01, 2009 01:13:11
    Mimi
    where do u pay $4 for a cup of coffee.?? the regular... ( aka Tall) coffee @ Starbiucks is $1.75..... now quit drinking swill and go get one....u pay $4 only when u involved flavored syrups, soy milk... and all that jazz...NOT to be cofused with a cup of coffee....you must drink lots of additives to be so hostile... smile and have a nice weekend.
  • +1 raves
    Mr. T February 11, 2009 03:29:50
    Mr. T
    How can you compete with McDonald's coffee which people have been raving about, and you can get a whole meal for 3 bucks?
  • +2 raves
    Michael February 11, 2009 03:10:28
    Michael
    Starbucks needs to sell something besides pastries and coffee. In this economy, doesn't seem like people want to spend $4 on a latte. With that being said, I would buy a sandwhich and coffee from Starbucks if it was reasonably priced!
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