Starbucks Abandons The Olive Oil Coffee That Was The Brainchild Of Its Former CEO – CoffeeTalk

Starbucks is removing its controversial “Oleato” drinks from its menus in the US and Canada starting in early November. The move is part of the chain’s broader plan to simplify the menu, which newly installed CEO Brian Niccol recently called “overly complex.” The decision to nix the drinks was made before Niccol arrived. The Oleato drinks were the brainchild of former CEO Howard Schultz, who discovered the habit of consuming a tablespoon of olive oil daily after meeting an olive oil producer. The drinks were met with largely negative responses from media and consumers, with some arguing that they were a stunt rather than a product worth trying. Some even complained that the drinks triggered painful stomach issues.

The Oleato menu consists of two drinks: an oat milk latte infused with extra virgin olive oil and a toffee nut iced shaken espresso with golden foam. Schultz was effusive about the launch, and former CEO Laxman Narasimhan claimed the drinks were “highly successful” and one of the top five product launches in the last five years in terms of brand awareness and excitement. However, Narasimhan was let go in August and replaced with Niccol, who has been vocal about his plans to simplify Starbucks’ menu amid lagging sales.

Read More @ CNN