‘Tis the season for Starbucks Frappuccino Happy Hour. It is May 3rd through the 12th, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. I’ve noticed that a number of stores near me have these cute little signs entitled, “Look at What Your Barista Dreamed Up.” I think these little signs are a great idea. It is kind of fun to see what your barista will recommend. I went around a took pictures of a number of Seattle stores’ signs, so you can see what’s being dreamed up in my neck of the woods.
What’s your barista dreaming up? 😉
Click onto the photos to make them larger.
Last but not least, I did go to Frappuccino Happy Hour yesterday. I dropped by the Starbucks in the food court area of the Northgate Mall in Seattle. (That’s in a north Seattle neighborhood, about seven miles north of downtown). They actually didn’t look too slammed. Everyone was friendly, and it was great experience. Not a barista there knew me. I confess, I really do like names on cups. I was impressed when the barista called out my beverage as a “Vanilla Bean Cinnamon Dulce Frappuccino for Melody!” I just enjoy hearing names and so that was a nice touch. And so as you can see, I saved $1.73 on my drink!
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At my local SB this morning I did not see these signs! Are they just in your area? Will have to look again.
@Purple1 – They are nation wide. In fact, I walked from store to store yesterday in downtown looking for them. I came across one store with no sign, and asked to speak to the shift supervisor. I asked him where his sign was and showed him photos of other signs within his district. The weird thing was that he’d just transferred to Starbucks from Florida (and already knew me from Twitter/Facebook/ reading this blog!).
He mentioned that he’d seen photos of the signs that are in his old district in Florida.
The “What your barista dreamed up” signs should be everywhere.
Love these signs and what a FUN way to get creative and get baristas involved in sharing new drink recipes with customers!
@SandraTrolinger – Agree! They add a nice personalized touch!
My baristas have been having a lot of fun with this idea. This week Liz created the “The Blushing Bean” a vanilla bean frappuccino blended with raspberry. I look forward to seeing their creations to come. This is a great way to create further connections between partners and new/old customers alike.
Aww, I wish I’d taken a picture. We have plenty of great Baristas at my favorite Starbucks in STL, but my personal favorite, Nick, recommends a Vanilla Mint Frappuccino.
And mmmm, that “Blushing Bean” sounds fantastic!
Cool idea!!
How long will it be before the msi folks start requesting to write their own recipes on these boards? There have been quite a few people who think they have created the next best drink on msi already.
I think it’s a cool idea, too but have yet to see ANY. ????
@DeniseR – You haven’t seen any of these signs in your stores? I noticed that a few stores around me were missing them, but most had them up. Have you had the chance to take advantage of Frappuccino Happy Hour?
Melody no signs in my local store and I doubt there will be. I showed one of the best partners in the store the sign and he said he doubted it would be in the store. He said they sell alot of fraps and sometimes partners create their own. Therefore, no sign needed.
@Purple1 – It is a nationally launched promo material, and not just Seattle. Your answer makes me a little sad – I get the impression that the sign if for fun: it’s not about whether the store is selling a lot of Frappuccinos. I don’t think the criteria is put the Frappuccino signs only in store low volume stores…
@Melody: as of a day ago….no signs anywhere I’ve been. I have had a chance to take advantage of the Frapp hr….. buying one for someone else a few times. Also had the pleasure of giving a ‘mistake’ drink (which happened to be a mocha java chip frapp), about to be tossed, to someone else, actually in another business nr Sbux. I always love doing that….kind of makes someone’s day and it was a perfectly good drink about to be wasted!
@Denise – It would have made my day!
I think part of the problem was that it was a little ambiguous in our Siren’s Eye (the kit that shows us where to put things) as to where/what should be on it.
I’m on the STAR team (which means I’m training the new Target Starbucks stores in Western Canada :)), so my store is without me for 3-4 weeks at a time as I’m chosen to help a new store, and one of their questions for me was “What should we put on this and where should it go?” So, my store was without it for a little while, and I’m going to guess that the other ones that do possibly have an absent (or less detail-oriented and/or apathetic SM).
@purple1 – the signage really isn’t meant to increase frapp sales in the sense that if they’re already selling lots, they don’t need the sign out. It’s for fun, and customer engagement, and it also increases their knowledge about the many different ways they can customize their frappuccinos. I’m sure that most of their customers are ignorant about their ‘partner created concoctions’ – I’m sad they don’t feel it wouldn’t be a neat connection piece to do so.
@Rebecca – Congrats on your training position! I’ve always heard that it’s competitive to get to be a STAR team member.
I wonder how Frappuccino hour is going in most places? The lines don’t seem so terrible near me.
I had not planned on participating in the Frappuccino Happy Hour deal. However, after seeing the description for the Grasshopper and Banana Creme Pie frapps, I may make an exception. Creative baristas!
@Kristina – I did try the Banana Creme Pie! You won’t be disappointed!
@Melody: just as I was leaving (thankfully!), probably ~3:15-3:30P, the lines, 2 abreast, were literally OUT-the door…. I’d say 25 people deep, average…and probably at least 15+ all waiting by the bar for their drinks. I was so grateful to have gotten my coffee etc before all this hit! So, even tho this particular store is only a “medium” frappuccino – selling store, I’d say it’s a big hit. Lots of revenue for stores that need it. I just wish it were from coffee instead….
@Chgo: lol! would’ve loved to give it to you!
@Melody I make my “Bananas Foster” as follows:
Vanilla Bean Frappuccino + Banana + Dark Caramel Sauce
It is a bit sweet for my taste, so I go 1 size ice scoop down with only 1 pump Creme base.
I also have a “Blended Caramel Apple Spice”:
Cinnamon Dolce Syrup Creme Frappuccino + no dairy sub Apple Juice + Dark Caramel
Can you take a hint that I really really like one of our new ingredients?
Enjoy!
@Melody – thanks :). It was competitive, and I’m super excited about it, but I am *tired*. Training a large number of people at once, and then launching a new store during happy hour with said 12 new people who a still unsure of recipes? Slightly crazy! 🙂
They’re doing sooo well though!
@Melody: I asked one of the shifts at a Sbux yesterday about this: she kind of just shrugged it off and said (essentially): yeah, they heard something about it but it’s just been too crazy busy. ??? It has been crazy busy during the ‘happy hr’ but I don’t know about all the rest of the day except: they are WAY short-handed, and I see this is quite a few stores. The turn-over, especially recently it seems, has been great. I have to be especially careful if I am ordering anything other than straight coffee. If I know the person on bar is inexperienced (often), then I’ll ask (as politely as I can) for someone else who I know has experience. I’ve even seen new partners, who were on bar, actually ask another (more experienced) partner to please ‘make this drink’. It’s sad but it goes back to that same old song about partners not receiving enough, or proper, training. (my 2 cents:)
@DeniseR – I always find that kind shrug off to be disappointing.
Denise I have that experience more times than I can count and I am referring to just a simply made iced green tea. Partners just cannot understand why I do not want it shaken or loaded with ice! Melody saw the SM today at my local SB and I mentioned to him about the make your own frap signs and he sort of laughed and said they have not received a lot of things in their packets. I joked that this store is a stepchild of SB. It is sort of amazing to me how there seems to not be a uniform distribution of marketing materials when a promotion is national.
I haven’t seen this sign at my store. I’d like to, though. I’m always asking for opinions. I’m not a huge frap fan, so I like to try different ones to find one I like. I tried the new caramel ribbon one and didn’t like it so much.
I haven’t seen these signs at either of the Starbucks’ I frequent.. I think its a great thing! My creation is a Strawberries and Soy with Vanilla Bean 🙂
On a somewhat-related side note: I miss the Blueberries and Cream Frappuccino
@Alex: What? There was once a Blueberries and Cream Frappuccino? Where have I mean? That needs to come back…if not only for the sole purpose of me being able to sample it. Ha! Wishful thinking? 🙂
I know some stores don’t have their signs up but it shouldn’t be much of a problem. There are many other options to connect with customers, like through their names or by recommending modifications to their drinks. Just this Friday, a nearby store had a Summer Hawaiian theme day. It created a great conversation starter, especially because it was a great surprise for myself and other excited customers. And in the conversation, we even talked about fun frappuccinos they had thought up as part of the theme (Creamy Orange Dream or a Mai Tai five). So the signs are a fun, but not super necessary as with alternatives.
I’m thinking Starbucks has planned a lot of fun little things for everyone this Summer.
@Kristina You can create your own Blueberries and Cream by asking for a pack of blueberries (the ones that come with a Hearty Blueberry oatmeal) blended into a Frappuccino. Maybe a Vanilla Bean or a Strawberries and Cream? I’m not sure it’ll taste as strong in blueberry flavor as the original (maybe two packs might help), but hopefully it’s close. You do have to pay for the blueberries along with the drink though.
@Amy – I can’t wait for the summer: It has been in the news that there will be an Orange Refresher (hand crafted) and I am thinking that any orange syrup or orange refresher mix is going to open up the door to many more customizations, or even an orange frappuccino! It’s just too bad that there is no orange drizzle like there was in like about 2004 or 2005 or so?