Starbucks is not the third place it once was for Millennials. With mobile app and drive-thru orders now accounting for over 70% of sales at its U.S. locations, Starbucks is struggling to go back to its roots of a sit-down coffee shop. While its focus on speed and efficiency has been successful for investors, critics argue that it has come at the expense of the experience that once defined the company’s identity. More customers are choosing convenience over staying in the store, leading to a 3% drop in sales. Gen Z might still have a coffee shop as their third place—the space where they connect with others outside home and work—but they aren’t a Starbucks. (CNN)
📊 YPulse data: 55% of 13-39-year-olds have a third place
