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TLDR
Catch Starbucks' summer craze with your own viral menu and turn their customers into your regulars. Starbucks recently highlighted the launch of their 2024 summer menu that's coming on May 7th with boasting drinks like the Summer Berry Starbucks Refresher, the Summer Berry Lemonade Refresher, and the Summer Skies Refresher. While their overhyped new menu creates quite the buzz online, you can take advantage by timing your summer menu launch just right. Promote your new summer drinks across your online platforms through mouth-watering photos, clever hashtags, and tempting descriptions. Engage customers with in-store signage, samples, secret menu teasers, and barista suggestions. With strategic timing and innovative new options, you can launch a viral summer menu that entices even the most loyal Starbucks sippers.
Starbucks' New Summer Menu for 2024 Has Everyone Buzzing
Creative Drink Innovations
Starbucks is introducing innovative new drinks as part of their summer 2024 menu. According to rumors, they will release a blue-colored “Berry Refresher” made with raspberry boba and a lemonade refresher with spicy flavors. These unique, eye-catching options are sure to appeal to customers seeking an unconventional summer drink experience.
Familiar Favorites Return
In addition to new items, Starbucks will bring back a popular cold brew from previous years: the White Chocolate Macadamia Cream Cold Brew. Featuring a smooth cold brew base with creamy nutty flavors, this drink is a tried-and-true summer favorite for many. By balancing new options with classic returning choices, Starbucks’ summer menu has something for all customers.
Sweet Treats Complete the Menu
Finally, to complement their drink selection, Starbucks will reportedly release several new food items like an Orange Cream Cake Pop, Pineapple Cloud cake, and a new coffee blend for iced coffees. These refreshing, tropical-inspired treats are ideal for the summer season and encourage customers to make a meal of their Starbucks run.
Promoting the New Menu
To build hype for their summer menu, the company promotes the new items on their app and social media with eye-catching images and descriptions. They also highlight the menu on digital menu boards and with in-store signage to raise awareness. By offering samples of select new drinks and treats, they give customers a taste of the summer experience and make it easy to discover new favorites. Local coffee shops should take note of Starbucks’ strategy and timing to launch their summer menus with creative innovations, familiar favorites, and sweet complements to compete for summer drink-seeking customers.
Learn From Starbucks' Summer Menu Launch Strategy
Starbucks is renowned for driving buzz and sales with the launch of its limited-time summer menu. Local coffee shops should take note of their promotional strategies to attract new customers with nostalgic yet innovative summer drinks.
Announce the Menu in Advance
Starbucks announced their summer menu a week before the official launch, fueling anticipation on social media. Coffee shops should tease their new summer menu on social platforms at least a week ahead of time. Post photos of new drinks and treats, share descriptions, and encourage followers to guess the flavors. This builds hype and gives customers a reason to visit your shop.
Focus on Shareability
Over 60% of Starbucks' revenue comes from customizable drinks that customers love to share on social media. Create photogenic and shareable summer drinks like fruit-infused lemonades, colorful fruit smoothies or frozen coffees topped with whipped cream and fruit puree. Give each drink a catchy name and promote the hashtag. This gives customers an incentive to share photos of your drinks, providing free publicity and social proof.
Launch with a Bang
On the official menu launch day, celebrate with a special event. You might offer buy-one-get-one promotions on new drinks, hand out free samples, or host fun giveaways. Capture photos and videos to share on social media. An exciting in-store event, paired with an eye-catching social media campaign, will attract both loyal and new customers to try your summer menu.
By following Starbucks' lead, announcing the menu in advance on social media, focusing on shareable and social-friendly drinks, and launching the new menu with an in-store event, local coffee shops can create buzz for their summer menu and win over customers looking for new and exciting warm-weather drinks. With the right strategy and creativity, any coffee shop can have customers buzzing.
Create Your Own Viral Summer Menu Like Starbucks
To launch a viral summer menu like Starbucks, focus on creative and innovative offerings tailored to your customer base. Focus on Fresh, In-Season Flavors Utilize fresh, summery ingredients like berries, citrus and tropical fruits to craft refreshing drinks. A “Summer Berry Refresher” with lemonade or a mango-passionfruit smoothie would appeal to health-conscious customers seeking natural energy boosts during the warm months. For coffee-based options, a cold brew infused with peach or watermelon could entice iced coffee devotees.
Build Buzz on Social Media
Harness the power of social platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook to spread the word about new menu items before the official launch. Post eye-catching photos and short video clips featuring your vibrant and delicious summer drinks. Ask influencers and loyal customers to do the same by sending them samples in advance. The more people sharing and liking posts about your new offerings, the more excitement will build.
Promote Via Your Mobile App
If you have a mobile app, utilize it to highlight summer menu items prominently. Tag new drinks and place them at the top of your menu for maximum visibility. Write enticing descriptions to inform customers about the refreshing flavors and thirst-quenching qualities of the new options. Push notifications through the app will also alert your subscriber base to the launch of seasonal drinks so they can try them right away.
Offer Seasonal Modifiers
Provide optional add-ins or modifiers to customize summer drinks like flavored syrups, fresh berries, candied citrus peels, or whipped cream. Allowing customers to make each drink their own by adding extra flavor or texture will increase interest in your new menu. Limited-time toppings that evoke the season like mini umbrellas or fruit skewers can make the experience even more festive.
By focusing on trendy and natural flavors, building hype on social media, prominently featuring new drinks in your app and offering custom add-ons, you can create a summer menu as buzzworthy as Starbucks. Meet customer demand for refreshing and healthy options with vibrant drinks as bright as the summer sun. With the right mix of promotion and innovation, your summer menu will have everyone buzzing.
Creative Summer Menu Drink Ideas to Launch This Year
To attract customers this summer and compete with Starbucks’ popular new menu, local coffee shops should release innovative seasonal drinks. By offering unique, Instagram-worthy options, businesses can gain attention and increase sales.
Melon and Peach Cocktails
Refreshing melon and peach are perfect for summer. Shops could create a Melon Mojito with mint, rum, sugar, lime and melon puree or a Peach Bellini with prosecco and peach nectar. Fruity cocktails are trendy and appeal to most customers.
Herbal and Citrus Infusions
Using fresh herbs, citrus, and juices is an easy way to make drinks stand out. A Strawberry Basil Lemonade with muddled strawberries, lemon juice, basil, and sparkling water or an Orange Thyme Iced Tea with fresh thyme, orange juice, and brewed tea would be unique options. Infusing flavors from nature gives drinks an artisanal feel that many seek out.
Batch Cocktails
For larger groups, shops should offer batch cocktails, like a Peach Bourbon Punch with peach puree, bourbon, ginger ale and mint. Creating big-batch drinks that can be pre-made in large quantities and served from a dispenser or pitcher allows for quick service at a lower cost. Pitchers of cocktails are ideal for sharing and fostering a social atmosphere.
By launching a creative summer menu with popular and unique options like fruity cocktails, herbal infusions, and batch drinks, coffee shops can gain the attention of customers seeking an alternative to mainstream brands. An innovative menu, especially when combined with social media marketing, allows businesses to build hype and increase traffic, ultimately driving sales. With the right mix of trendy yet accessible drinks, coffee shops can have customers buzzing all season long.
Final Thoughts
As summer approaches, now is the perfect time for local coffee shops to get creative with their menus. Use Starbucks' hype as an opportunity to attract customers who want new and innovative drinks. Develop a strong social media and in-store promotion strategy to generate buzz for your own refreshing blended drinks and chilled coffee options. Experiment with fruit, tea, and other natural ingredients to craft beverages that feel bright and seasonal. Per Diem's mobile app tools can help you easily highlight and promote new menu offerings through the app. With strategic planning and creative thinking, your shop can become the neighborhood's go-to spot for cool drinks this summer.
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