The beloved coffee chain just announced a big update. Hint: Your wallet is going to like it.
Starbucks Is Making a Major Change—And This Time, You’ll Be Thrilled
Published on Jan. 27, 2025
Among the many reasons to love Starbucks, is this: It’s so predictable. The coffee shops are, for the most part, the same everywhere you go. You can count on getting a drink you love every single visit, no matter where in the country—or the world, for that matter—you find yourself.
So it can be scary when Starbucks announces some big changes. Take, for example, last year’s drink menu updates or when the condiment bar disappeared during the COVID-19 pandemic. Change can be hard, to stay the least.
Starbucks just announced a massive change, and nothing about it is scary. In fact, you’re going to absolutely love it. And it starts today. Keep reading to find out about the big change that’s happening at Starbucks locations across the country.
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What big change is Starbucks making?
Starting today, baristas will now ask you if your order is “for here” or “to go.” If you choose the dine-in option, your drink will arrive in a glass or ceramic mug, though you can opt to use a clean cup of your own. As an added bonus, if you tell the barista your order is “for here,” you’ll enjoy free refills of hot or iced brewed coffee or tea during your visit.
Starbucks may be your favorite takeout coffee shop, but the goal has always been for Starbucks cafes to be warm and welcoming places that make you want to gather with your friends. The addition of reusable mugs makes your local Starbucks feel a little bit more like home. Best of all, choosing reusable cups is a sustainable option that benefits the environment while you benefit from free refills. It’s a win-win!
Prior to today’s announcement, Starbucks reward members could take advantage of free refills when enjoying them in-house, while nonmembers had to pay 59 cents.
Are there any exclusions?
Free refills? Yes, please! All customers can order any beverage as their first order, as long as it is ordered “for here,” but keep in mind that there are a handful of beverages that aren’t included as free refills.
Free refills include hot and iced brewed coffee and tea. The following beverages are not available as free refills:
- Cold Brew
- Nitro Cold Brew
- Iced Tea Lemonade
- Flavored Ice Tea
- Drinks with a Starbucks Refreshers Base
What other changes will you be seeing at Starbucks?
Free refills in reusable mugs aren’t the only change you’ll notice at Starbucks the next time you visit. Starting today, you’ll once again be able to customize your drink to perfection at the condiment bar. Understandably, the condiment bar was removed at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s making its long-overdue comeback. You’ll now be able to add your own creamer, milk and sweeteners to your drink, and if you don’t see the item you need, you can just ask your barista.
Another noteworthy change is that Starbucks’s bathrooms, which were once available for use to anyone, regardless of whether or not they made a purchase, are now reserved for customers only. Starbucks implemented a “coffeehouse code of conduct” to help keep each cafe clean and safe, and one aspect of it is that Starbucks locations are meant to be used only by customers and employees. Essentially, that means that if you want to use the bathroom, you’ll have to buy something from now on.
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Source:
- Starbucks: “Starting today, there are more reasons to stay awhile”
