Starbucks has become a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, with its unique menu items and welcoming spaces inspiring creativity in both its customers and the communities it serves. A new study by Columbia University researchers shows that Starbucks plays a significant role in fostering innovation in the communities where it opens new branches. According to the study by Choi Jinkyong, Jorge Guzman, and Mario Small, a Starbucks location in an American neighborhood without a coffee shop leads to the creation of between 1.1 and 3.5 new companies each year over the next seven years.
Starbucks’ ability to create a welcoming space for people to connect and collaborate highlights its impact beyond just serving coffee-based drinks. The chain’s innovative menu options have also inspired creativity among its customers, with some even creating their own unique drinks by hacking the chain’s menu. For example, customers can order a “cake batter Frappuccino” by simply adding hazelnut syrup to a vanilla bean crème Frappuccino and asking the barista to blend in a cake pop. Similarly, the “liquid cocaine” drink involves four shots of espresso with white-chocolate syrup served over ice. These custom creations often become popular on platforms like Instagram, showcasing the creativity and flexibility of Starbucks’ offerings.
Overall, Starbucks offers not only innovative menu items but also contributes to economic development and entrepreneurship in the communities it serves. Its ability to create a welcoming space for people to connect and collaborate highlights its impact beyond just serving coffee-based drinks.
