Starbucks Takes on Competition with Yogurt Parfait
Starbucks is brewing up some competition in the breakfast department, adding a healthy alternative to its traditional bakery item-filled menu—Fruit and Yogurt parfaits.
The coffee chain is rolling out the yogurt-based product made with vanilla yogurt, strawberries and blueberries topped with granola. The 8.5-ounce serving size contains 320 calories, four grams of fat and 11 grams of protein and sells for $3.45.
“Starbucks introduced the Fruit and Yogurt Parfait to give customers a light and nourishing food option for breakfast or a snack,” said Starbucks spokesperson Carole Pucik.
The Seattle-based chain introduced its parfait in California in January, Pucik said. The product is available in 16 of Starbucks’ 20 markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston and Dallas. The Fruit and Yogurt Parfait will be available in all markets in the U.S. and Canada by October and will be a permanent menu item, Pucik said. The company is currently testing new yogurt flavors, she added.
The yogurt parfait is Starbucks’ latest addition to its breakfast offerings. This year, the company boosted its breakfast line up with five new warm breakfast sandwiches (PROMO Xtra, June 6, 2006).
Starbucks’ Fruit and Yogurt Parfait, takes a competitive swipe at McDonald’s, which since 2002 has sold its own Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait. Like Starbucks new offering, McDonald’s yogurt parfait contains yogurt, strawberries, blueberries and granola topping. The 5.3-ounce has 160 calories, two grams of fat, four grams of protein and sells for $1 as part of McDonald’s Dollar Menu offerings. The QSR also sells a larger size, 10.9-ounce size, which contains 280 calories, six grams of fat and eight grams of protein.
When asked about the similarities of the two yogurt products, Pucik said Starbucks does not comment on its competitors. McDonald’s is giving Starbucks its own run for the money against its coffee business. Last fall, the QSR launched its own gourmet coffee blend (PROMO Xtra, Nov. 1, 2005).
In a separate development, Starbucks continues its foothold in the music arena this week. Starbucks Salon, a coffee house, performance venue and gallery launched this year at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT. The salon celebrates budding artists, art forms and established talent at cultural events and gatherings.
Starbucks Salon will host a series of free performances in New York City this week as part of Fashion Week, including performances by Jim Carroll, author of The Basketball Diaries, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, founding member of hip-hop group Run-DMC, Jose Gonzalez, internationally celebrated classical guitar artist and Eugene Mirman, a New York comedian. Starbucks Salon, which kicked off Friday, takes place at 76 Greene St. in Manhattan through Sept.17, with two to three headline performances each day. A complete schedule is available at StarbucksSalon.com.
