When Starbucks decided to get in on the so-called “value menu wars” this summer, the accompanying promotion was introduced with quite a splash — and perhaps understandably so. The Seattle-based global coffee giant hasn’t offered anything akin to the combo-meals that make up so much of the classic fast-food domain since 2009. Launched in June along with hundreds of headlines highlighting the deal, the Pairings Menu included a hot or iced coffee or tea with a croissant for $5, or a breakfast sandwich with a coffee or tea for $6. Customers also had the option to swap in a Double Smoked Bacon or Impossible breakfast sandwich for $7.
While the Pairings Menu was originally cast as a limited-time offer – as Starbucks never indicated a specific end date in its marketing materials – it seemed possible the promotion was actually a trial period to determine if a value meal would become a permanent fixture for the coffee chain.
