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Brewed Down: How Starbucks is Cutting Back to Stir Up Growth

Plus: The Race to Power Up: EV Battery Factories Are Taking Over North America

What’s In This Email

  • Brewed Down: How Starbucks is Cutting Back to Stir Up Growth

  • The Race to Power Up: EV Battery Factories Are Taking Over North America

  • The Jonas Brothers in Toronto

  • Notable Spotlight: Drawing, Drinks & Social at AGO

  • Notable Plug 🔌

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Brewed Down: How Starbucks is Cutting Back to Stir Up Growth


Starbucks is making major changes to its operations as it struggles with slowing sales, declining foot traffic, and increased competition from both fast-casual chains and local coffee shops.

In a bid to streamline service and improve customer satisfaction, the company is reducing the number of drinks allowed in mobile orders from 15 to 10. But that’s not all—Starbucks is also planning to trim its extensive menu, cutting down on underperforming items to simplify operations and speed up service.

These moves are part of a broader turnaround strategy as the coffee giant grapples with rising operational costs, staffing challenges, and shifting consumer preferences. The company’s latest earnings report revealed weaker-than-expected same-store sales growth, signaling the need for swift action to regain its market footing.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Mobile Order Drink Limit: Starbucks now caps mobile orders at 10 drinks, down from the previous 15, to reduce wait times and improve workflow.

  2. Menu Reduction Incoming: The company plans to cut back on its extensive menu, focusing on core offerings and eliminating slower-selling items to streamline operations.

  3. Operational Struggles: Starbucks is facing increased pressure from competitors and has reported weaker-than-expected sales, prompting efforts to improve efficiency and enhance customer experience.

  4. Barista Workload Relief: The changes aim to alleviate stress on baristas, addressing staffing challenges and reducing burnout—a key issue contributing to operational inefficiencies.

  5. Turnaround Strategy: Starbucks is investing in digital innovations, store redesigns, and operational improvements to attract customers and reverse its sales slump.

  6. Customer Impact: While individual customers may not notice, those placing large group orders or craving niche menu items might find the new policies inconvenient.

Why It Matters:
Starbucks' strategic shift serves as a lesson in balancing growth with operational efficiency. For entrepreneurs, it highlights how simplifying offerings and optimizing digital tools can enhance the customer experience and improve internal workflows. However, scaling back services can also risk alienating loyal customers, making it a delicate balancing act in highly competitive markets.

The Race to Power Up: EV Battery Factories Are Taking Over North America


North America is experiencing a massive EV battery factory boom, with over 30 new facilities under construction or recently completed. Driven by the surging demand for electric vehicles and government incentives like the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, these "gigafactories" are popping up across the continent, from Michigan to Georgia and even parts of Canada. Major automakers like Ford, GM, and Tesla, alongside battery manufacturers like LG and Panasonic, are investing billions to secure their place in the future of green transportation.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Factory Frenzy: Over 30 EV battery factories are in the pipeline, reshaping North America's industrial landscape.

  2. Government Incentives: Policies like the Inflation Reduction Act are accelerating growth and investment in the EV sector.

  3. Big Players, Big Moves: Auto giants and battery manufacturers are investing heavily to meet EV demand.

  4. Supply Chain Potential: Opportunities are booming for businesses involved in materials, logistics, and tech related to EVs.

  5. Sustainability Focus: The trend reinforces the importance of green energy and sustainable business practices.

Why It Matters:
This shift signals huge opportunities in the EV supply chain, from raw materials to tech innovations. The race to build these factories not only highlights the growing dominance of clean energy but also underscores the importance of local manufacturing and sustainability in today’s economy.

🌐 AROUND THE INTERWEBS

SOS please! A casual trivia evening in Toronto took a nostalgic turn when the Jonas Brothers dropped in for a surprise visit.

Watch the video below.

🔦 NOTABLE SPOTLIGHT 🔦

Drawing Drinks Social @ AGO

Happening today! The AGO's Drawing Drinks Social Art Making Workshop is a vibrant and interactive event that blends creativity with socializing and happens every first Friday of the month.

🔌  NOTABLE PLUG

🎙️ Get Into It: Side Hustle School. Chris Guillebeau shares daily episodes featuring real-life stories of people who’ve turned side hustles into profitable ventures. It’s quick, motivating, and filled with practical advice for entrepreneurs at any stage.
Listen on Apple or Spotify.

📄 Notable Hires: Technical Content Producer @ DonerNorth (Full-time, Toronto)

🎓 Hope This Helps: Rocket Money. Find and cancel those sneaky subscriptions and keep your financial health steady.

🌍 Notable Destinations: Toronto to Athens ($863 1201) Dates: March 14 - 27, 2025. Click on this link to see the flight.

🧠 Today We Learned: A cockroach named "Nadezhda" was the first terrestrial animal to give birth in space.

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Disclosure: While we utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to assist with certain aspects of content development, all information provided in our content is thoroughly vetted and edited by our team of humans. We strive to ensure the accuracy and reliability of all information. However, we recommend that readers conduct research or seek professional advice to make informed decisions. This email may contain sponsored content.