Starbucks selling tinier treats weighing in under 200 calories
BY CHERYL V. JACKSON cjackson@suntimes.com March 10, 2011 5:10PM
Birthday cake pop
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Want a treat to go with your Starbucks coffee but can’t afford the 490 calories in a slice of iced lemon pound cake? The coffee chain this week added a “petites” line of bakery treats for under 200 calories and priced $1.50.
The tiny lemon squares, caramel squares, cake pops (bites of cake on sticks, like lollipops), mini cupcakes and whoopie pies are among items the Seattle-based coffee shop chain is adding in as part of its 40th anniversary revamp. It also debuted a new logo.
Other new products include a cocoa cappuccino and a special four-bean coffee blend.
The sweet petites line plays to the snacking trend on which fast-food companies are capitalizing. The treats will hit most store bakery cases starting at 11 a.m. and will be offered while supplies last.
To celebrate the company’s anniversary today through Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., stores will give a treat to each customer purchasing a drink.
The new bakery items help supplement coffee sales, and the small treats’ calorie counts give the impression that they are healthier offerings, said Darren Tristano, executive vice resident at Technomic restaurant research and consultancy firm.
“When you’re looking at big, high-calorie cupcakes, the idea of having a smaller, affordable indulgence is going to lure quite a few people to come in and try that,” Tristano said.
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