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Starbucks To Roll Out New 31 Oz. 'Trenta' Size


First Posted: 01/17/11 10:01 AM ET Updated: 05/25/11 07:25 PM ET

LOS ANGELES, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Starbucks Corp (SBUX.O) will roll out its biggest drink size yet -- the 31-ounce "Trenta" -- in all of its U.S. coffee shops by May 3, the company said on Sunday.

The new size will be available only for iced coffee, iced tea and iced tea lemonade drinks in the United States. The Trenta is 7 ounces larger than Starbucks' "Venti" cup for iced drinks, which currently is its largest size on offer.

Drinks in the Trenta size will cost 50 cents more than similar Venti-sized iced drinks, the company said.

Seattle-based Starbucks tested the new size in several U.S. markets last year, saying it was responding to customer demand for larger cold beverages.

The Trenta size will debut in 14 states, including Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Hawaii and Arizona, on Jan. 18 and in California on Feb. 1.

The world's biggest coffee chain said unsweetened drinks in the new size will have fewer than 90 calories and that sweetened versions will have less than 230 calories.

McDonald's Corp (MCD.N), the world's biggest fast-food restaurant chain, has taken direct aim at Starbucks with frappes, fruit smoothies and espresso drinks such as lattes and cappuccino. It also has lured customers by selling 32-ounce (946.4 ml) sweet tea drinks for $1 each.

U.S. convenience stores, which have been taking on restaurant chains with an expanded selection of low-cost, quick-serve fare, for years have sold fountain drinks in large sizes, including 32 ounces and 64 ounces (1.9 L).

(1 U.S. fluid ounce = 29.57 milliliters)

(Reporting by Lisa Baertlein; Editing by Richard Chang)


Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters. Click for Restrictions.

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06:30 PM on 01/20/2011
Starbucks is making money. I wonder why they chose the name Trenta but not like "hey wanna super size your coffee" why not name is "SuperIt"
06:41 PM on 01/19/2011
It's appropriate. We need these larger size drinks for the fat people.
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Ian Faus
02:39 AM on 01/19/2011
According to Colbert: "Trenta is Italian for Kidney failure" !
11:37 PM on 01/18/2011
Thanks for adding to the obesity problem in America. You know it won't be just regular black coffee in those cups.
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G E H
10:50 PM on 01/18/2011
And this is news because...?
03:26 PM on 01/18/2011
31oz means 11 ounces of actual coffee and 20 ounces of ice if you go by how my local Starbucks fills things usually so all this means to me is my ice coffee will be even more watered down after 5 minutes in the summer heat.
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HighDesertBob
Earth is the only planet with chocolate.
02:26 PM on 01/18/2011
My wife is a committed Starbucks drinker but, according to her, 7-11 has a very good 32 ounce iced coffee for a buck and a half. And you don't have to use their phony Italian jargon when ordering. Actually, it's self service.
Me? Super Big Gulp, thank you very much.
01:49 PM on 01/18/2011
Sales success will depend on individual bladder volume.
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WthyrBendragon
Java junkie. Beverage or code, take your pick.
12:24 PM on 01/18/2011
Yeah, Baby! 'Cause you can't get too jacked up on caffeine and sugar! My cardiologist is gonna love this! And with all that extra goodness going through my kidneys it means a new boat for my renalogist too!
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JDShipley
I drink coffee, therefore I am.
11:05 AM on 01/18/2011
In related news, Starbucks installed additional porta potties at all of its locations.
11:01 AM on 01/18/2011
Nasty Coffee for too much cash that goes to a horrible corporation, yay?
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cassie reinara
10:59 AM on 01/18/2011
Yes!!!! We now get the privilege to pay $7 for a drink that only further contributes to our growing waist lines. Only in the land of excess can we have the freedom to abuse ourselves and pay for it. What a concept!
10:41 AM on 01/18/2011
Flash to the year 2034...Reuters reports that Starbucks is planning to sell yet another up-size of its coffee drinks in its few remaining stores. This time the drink is a standard 13 gallon garbage can size which is called "Elefontito."
09:49 AM on 01/18/2011
Yeah...a big gulp size from starbucks...so now, for only $7 you can compete with convenience stores?!
12:01 AM on 01/18/2011
Ridiculatte!!