Operations

Starbucks raises its coffee prices

Consumers will pay 10 cents to 20 cents more per cup of brewed coffee, though the prices on the chain's other beverages remain the same.
Starbucks

For the third time in as many years, Starbucks has raised its prices on brewed coffee.

A 12-ounce coffee now costs $1.95 to $2.15 in most company-operated Starbucks units, an increase of 10 cents to 20 cents per cup.

The price of other popular beverages such as Frappuccinos, lattes, mochas and cold-brew beverages remains the same in 97% of stores, according to a company spokesperson.

“Evaluating prices periodically allows us to balance the need to run our business profitably while continuing to provide value to our loyal customers and attract new customers,” the spokesperson said.

Starbucks has raised prices 1%-2% in the past year, the company said.

The move follows the chain’s 10-cent jump in brewed coffee prices last year and a 10-cent to 30-cent increase in espresso prices. In 2016, the chain tacked up to an additional 30 cents on select drinks and baked goods.

It has been a tumultuous few months for the coffee giant. Just this week, Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz, an integral part of the company for four decades, announced he was stepping down. And in April, the chain came under fire after an employee in a Philadelphia unit called the police on two African-American men who were accused of trespassing. Late last month, the chain shuttered 8,000 U.S. units for half a day for an all-staff racial diversity training session.

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