Despite the company’s intentions, the reaction online has been overwhelmingly negative. Reddit threads and TikTok videos have been flooded with complaints, with many users threatening to take their caffeine cravings elsewhere.
“I’m not paying nearly a dollar to swap syrup,” one user wrote.
Another added, “Starbucks just made my $5 drink a $7 drink overnight.”
Baristas have also weighed in, noting that the new pricing has led to frustrated customers and longer lines, as people try to rework their orders on the spot.
Why the Price Hike?
The changes are part of CEO Brian Niccol’s “Back to Starbucks” strategy, which aims to streamline operations, improve consistency, and boost profitability amid slowing sales. Niccol, who joined the company in late 2024, has already made several bold moves—including removing the upcharge for non-dairy milk and eliminating the short-lived olive oil drinks.
Starbucks is also testing a new in-app feature that shows real-time pricing for customizations, hoping to reduce checkout surprises and ease the transition.
