Starbucks Consolidates Card Programs for Easier, More Rewarding Loyalty Program Streamlined Program Delivers Value with Benefit Levels Including Free Drink after Every 15 Purchases

SEATTLE, Oct 30, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) today announced its new customer loyalty card program called My Starbucks Rewards, which will launch on Dec. 26, 2009 in all U.S. Starbucks stores. Consolidating the two current popular programs, Starbucks Card Rewards and Starbucks Gold card, the new streamlined program delivers value with no annual fee, allows members to use one registered card (any Starbucks Card) and provides customized rewards that increase with frequency of use. Benefits are offered in levels that accumulate including: -- Welcome Level: A free birthday beverage when card is initially registered.

-- Green Level: After using the registered card five times, customers qualify for the following benefits: Free brewed refills, free flavor syrups and soy, a free tall drink of choice with purchase of one pound of whole bean coffee, up to two continuous hours of free Wi-Fi daily and special offers.

-- Gold Level: In addition to all of the benefits in the Welcome and Green Levels, Gold Level members will earn a free drink after every 15 purchases and receive an exclusive, personalized card. To qualify for the Gold Level, a customer simply needs to visit 30 times in a year (which averages less than three visits per month).

"Our Starbucks Card Rewards and Gold Card programs have been successful, but the more than three million members have asked us to create a simpler, easier to access program that rewards them based on their frequency," said Terry Davenport, senior vice president, marketing, Starbucks Coffee Company. "We believe the new My Starbucks Rewards program, which is free at all levels, will help deepen our relationship with our most loyal customers while also encouraging more customers to join the program." Current registered members of Starbucks Gold and Starbucks Card Rewards will be automatically enrolled beginning in January 2010 at the appropriate level in My Starbucks Rewards. Starbucks Gold card members whose memberships are due to expire this year will have their memberships -- and their 10 percent discounts -- extended through Dec. 31, 2009. All other registered Starbucks Gold card members who signed up after Jan. 1, 2009, will continue to enjoy their discount for their full membership term of 12 months and will automatically transition into the Gold Level of the new program upon expiration.

About Starbucks Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com.

SOURCE: Starbucks CONTACT: Starbucks Coffee Company Valerie O'Neil, 206-318-7100 [e-mail] or Edelman Jennifer Weber, 212-704-8262 [e-mail] Copyright Business Wire 2009 -0- KEYWORD: United States

North America

Washington INDUSTRY KEYWORD: Restaurant/Bar

Retail

Food/Beverage SUBJECT CODE: Product/Service