Frappé All Day: Starbucks Credits Sales Growth to Cold Drinks, Rolls Out Summer Menu

Franchise businesses looking to engineer an uptick in sales may want to take note of Starbucks’ cold beverage strategy. The company recently reported that its sales rose 3% thanks to a 3% average ticket increase in the second quarter of the year—and nearly half of that ticket growth was a result of more expensive drinks like cold coffees, according to CNBC.

Starbucks says its cold drinks are bringing in customers at all hours of the day, with last quarter's afternoon performance its best in three years. “We have seen when we introduce more of our cold beverage innovation, it’s improving afternoons and our nonmembers [of Starbucks Rewards] tend to shop with us in the afternoons,” CNBC quotes Starbucks COO Roz Brewer.

CNBC notes that after the surprise success of the limited-time Unicorn Frappuccino in 2017, other LTO versions have failed to capture the attention of Instagram in the same way, so this summer, Starbucks is bringing back three previously popular Frappuccinos to meet existing demand: S’mores, Mocha Cookie Crumble and Caramel Ribbon Crunch.

Starbucks’ summer lineup also includes the new Dragon Drink, an electric pink blend of Mango Dragonfruit Refresher and coconut milk; a Cold Brew with Salted Cream Cold Foam, a fresh year-round addition; and a Crispy Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Baja Black Bean Veggie Wrap and Frosted Doughnut Cake Pop.