Starbucks stores around the United States are quietly preparing to roll out a new line of smoothies, called Vivanno, next week.
Some stores have even started a countdown for customers. In at least four coffee shops in Los Angeles and Chicago on Friday, chalkboards announced that Vivanno Nourishing Blends smoothies would be available in just four days.
Starbucks officials wouldn’t say anything more about the smoothies, but the in-store signs pretty much said it all, including that the drinks would come in orange-mango-banana and banana-chocolate flavors.
Could Vivanno be the breath of fresh air Starbucks needs to turn itself around? In 10 years, will “Vivanno” be as iconic a word as “Frappuccino?”
You’ve got four days to mull that over before you can taste them for yourself.
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i had a small sample today. they decked out the place - signs, banners, even the servers had new aprons and t-shirts! the drink was actually pretty decent…it tastes pretty good. but when i go to starbucks i go for the coffee, the caffeine. i’ll go to jamba juice to get my smoothies.
Pictures and more about this:
- Posted by Alice Yoohttp://www.modernmet.com/weblog/2008/07/ schultz-is-tryi.html
I’m sorry you went into what sounds like a poor Starbucks location. The decaf Fappuccinos aren’t a thing of the past. I made at least 5 today. Nothing will ever take the Frappuccino in regular or decaf away from our customers. If you love them- maybe give another store a shot? It frustrates me too when I know one store to the next is inconsistent and I do my best to keep it consistent and enjoyable. The Vivanno drinks are actually pretty good too when personalized how you want.
- Posted by ummmmmI sent this to Starbucks. Thought some may enjoy.
I am letting you know you have lost yet one more customer. As my wife and I have enjoyed your decaf mocha frappuccino over the years we were quite surprised when we went to our local Starbucks and learned that they are no longer available. The excuse we heard was something about a new drink is being introduced. As we can only drink decaf beverages we turned around and walked out. We decided right then that Starbucks has lost us as a customer including all the hot coffee drinks we enjoy. Upon reflection it comes to a surprise that you would take a decaffeinated drink that is enjoyed by many, from parents concerned about the amount of caffeine their children have in their day-to-day lives to those that can not have decaf due to health reasons. It appears that this is another example of you losing touch with your customers.
As you have made a business decision to drop a well liked drink we have made a decision to take our business elsewhere. If we find you change your mind we may consider returning.
- Posted by lost customeri like the mango one, its good. i saw madonna carrying one today in NYC. U know it will be a hit if she has one.
- Posted by tommyI like the mango one better, but next time i’ll ask for less protein powder and a shot of sryup to sweeten it up, its kinda bland right now. Or i’ll have them substitute the orange mango juice to strawberry juice.
- Posted by Benny[...] to Reuters’ Is Starbucks’ Vivanno the next Frappuccino? :: … a new line of smoothies, called Vivanno … at least four coffee shops in Los [...]
- Posted by Viva Vivanno and Sorbetto at Starbucks : djchuang.comi’ve been a manager at Starbucks for 4 year, and this drink is the biggest pain in the ass!
Starbucks is a COFFEE shop, not a smoothie bar.
- Posted by rowrowrowi hope this drink fails miserably in my store, because i loathe making it. too complicated, tastes bland. thumbs down from me.
I tried the Banana Chocolate one today and was really impressed. I like its simplicity, taste, and nutrition. It’s not nearly as heavy or thick as a smoothie from Smoothie King, etc. I will likely be often replacing my Java Chip Light Frappuccino with one of these.
- Posted by IngridJust tried the Orange Mango Banana… didn’t know today was the smoothie’s first day until I got home to google and find out if there were more then just the two flavors. (Okay, so today was my first visit to a Starbuck’s in probably 6-9 months… I’m not up on news and I went through the drive through today.)
Yum.!.!.!
Planning to try the Banana Chocolate next as I noticed on the sign board that it has more protein.
Again, my opinion. Yum!
- Posted by HeatherStarbucks may have lucked out with the timing of this.
A new study showed that athletes who consumed carbohydrates and drank caffeine had 66 per cent more glycogen in their muscles four hours after working out, versus athletes who consumed carbohydrates alone.
This is a good thing for all athletes.
I blogged on the science behind this here - http://healthhabits.wordpress.com/2008/0 7/15/mmmmm-coffee/
I am going to try one today (post-workout) and see how they taste.
- Posted by DRJust tried one… the chocolate banana. Pretty good. tastes like a protein shake (in fact has whey protein powder in it). As “iconic” as the frappuccino? I doubt it. But its good nonetheless.
- Posted by JASONLast time I checked Starbucks was a coffee shop, not a smoothie shop. So what do I think about the Vivanno? A corporate tactic to get back the money and customers they lost when the idiots at headquarters screwed things up after Howard left. I loved what Starbucks stood for and I’m disappointed to hear it stooping as low as this. This is just as ridiculous as McDonald’s selling iced coffee.
- Posted by IDefinitelyDontWork4Sbuxwhy would i buy a smoothie from starbucks when i can get more variety and a better smoothie elsewhere? it’ll be hilarious if, a decade from now, starbucks stops serving coffee altogether.
- Posted by thegeekViviano is spelled incorrectly in both boards.
Orange Mango Banana? Ill just being having mango thank you.
- Posted by lilkuntaI work at a Starbucks in Ruston, LA and I can’t really say I’m too thrilled with the drink. The way we make it as is, I find there’s too much protein powder and not enough flavor. For customers out there who are interested in this drink, feel free to tweak as much as you like - ask for less or more protein, more or less juice or milk, etc…
As far as comparing it to the Frappuccino, I honestly don’t think the Vivanno will be as big of a drink or pull Starbucks out of the slump we’re in. I really wish we would get back to basics for now and focus on the drinks we already have.
Also, to my fellow partners, is this drink not a hassle to make or what? If your store uses fresh bananas, consider yourself tremendously lucky because frozen bananas slices are utterly impossible to break up once frozen. I won’t even go into detail how long it takes to make the drink. It’s ok if you don’t have many customers, but if your store is as busy as ours (and with customers who add Splenda to everything) making the drink is a very taxing process.
- Posted by KC IfeanyiI’m interested to know why you would use a photo in which “Vivanno” is misspelled in one of the ad boards.
- Posted by MelanieMy fiance works at a Starbucks and made me a Vivanno, though I altered it by taking out the chocolate and adding hazelnut syrup. It was REALLY good! If I can alter the drink everytime, not just when my fiance makes it, I will be addicted to this drink. YUMMMMMMMM!!!!!
- Posted by Mrs. BuxI’m a starbucks employee and I’ve tried both, the orange mango banana blend is better in my opinion. It’ll be interesting to see how well this is received by customers
- Posted by AdamLooking forward to checking them out!
- Posted by SpeedmasterI doubt that the smoothies will live up to the frappuccino in anyway other than price. I remortgaged the crib so I can give one to my wife for our wedding anniversary on monday!
- Posted by TGOOOm