Starbucks Introducing Curbside Pickup As Stores Reopen

In the coming days, Starbucks has planned to open 85% of their locations, and when you go to pick up that latte, the coffee giant will have some new features ready for you.

Even before COVID-19 dramatically altered how Starbucks operates, customers were largely (80%) placing orders to go. With new curbside pickup capabilities, those Starbucks to-go orders are easier than ever to make.

If you’re wanting to take a drive, rather than get Starbucks delivered, here’s some good news.

(Check out Starbucks coupons on KCL.)

 

Curbside pickup is rolling out via the Starbucks app.

In a letter to customers, CEO Kevin Johnson said Starbucks is in the process of enabling new features on the Starbucks app, including curbside pickup.

Customers will be able to select curbside pickup as an option when they place an order, and when they arrive at the store, they can notify baristas to bring the order outside to them. You don’t even have to be in line anymore.

 

A form of curbside pickup is already available.

At my local Starbucks, I can place a pickup order, walk up to a designated pickup spot outside the store, and get my order without even going inside. How that looks varies by location, but many locations offer entryway handoff service.

RELATED: 10 Insider Starbucks Hacks from a Barista

 

 

Some stores will let you inside, others will be drive-thru only.

Starbucks says they’re using artificial intelligence to analyze the coronavirus threat in different areas, and will constantly adjust to reflect the current situation.

Some stores will once again offer grab-and-go service, where you can enter the store to get your pickup order, or to place an order and take your coffee to go.

Others will just be drive-thru only. Regardless, 90% of the stores closed by COVID-19 will be open and taking orders by June.

 

Look out for improved voice ordering, too.

Starbucks has dabbled with voice ordering before, but the company promises voice ordering through Siri as one of the new features of the upcoming iteration of their app. As of now, though, the only way you can place an order with your voice is through the existing “Starbucks Reorder” Alexa Skill (and, via the drive-thru, of course).

 

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