Starbucks Unveils Two New Retail Concepts

SEATTLE -- Plenty is brewing at Starbucks Corp. and its affiliates.

In a move that expands the company way beyond being a coffee purveyor, Starbucks opened its first Evolution Fresh Inc. juice store in Bellevue, Wash., today. Starbucks purchased the juice company in November for $30 million.

In addition to signature juice products, the Evolution Fresh store sells wraps, soups, salads, vegetarian and vegan food options, and more. According to Starbucks, Evolution Fresh is one of only a few U.S. juice companies to uses high-pressure processing (HPP) to preserve fresh-picked flavor and capture more of the vitamins, minerals and nutrients of fruit and vegetables, as opposed to utilizing pureed or powdered ingredients.

Prior to its purchase by Starbucks, Evolution Fresh was selling ready-to-drink (RTD) products in grocery stores. Revitalized RTD Evolution Fresh products will begin appearing in grocery stores, the company said. In addition, Evolution Fresh products will make their way into Starbucks locations later this year.

Once inside the Bellevue Evolution Fresh store, customers will notice digital illustrations of juices and smoothies being handcrafted. "Evolution Fresh is a revolutionary new approach to serve our changing lifestyles," said Arthur Rubinfeld, president, Global Store Development, Starbucks. "The Evolution Fresh store offers super-premium juices and foods that are alive with fresh-picked, natural flavor and taste great."

In other development news, Starbucks affiliate Seattle's Best Coffee today opened the doors of a new coffee drive-thru concept in Northlake, Ill.

According to Starbucks, the retail location will meet the needs of 36,000 commuters in the Chicago neighborhood. In addition to a large variety of coffee beverages, the Seattle's Best Coffee drive-thru prototype features freshly baked food items, sandwiches and snacks, including coffee cakes, individual apple pies and Danishes.

"Our customers are constantly on the go and they tell us that finding great coffee options that fit their busy lifestyles is tough. They're sacrificing great-tasting coffee and food for speed and convenience, and we can put an end to that," said Jim McDermet, senior vice president and general manager of Seattle's Best Coffee. "We've designed all elements of this concept with a focus on world-class drive-thru service and because of our history as a coffeehouse brand, we can also guarantee the highest-quality coffee and food with a smile."

Located 14 miles from downtown Chicago, the Northlake Seattle's Best Coffee drive-thru location is open from 5 a.m. to midnight Monday to Saturday, and from 6 a.m. to midnight on Sunday.

Starbucks did not detail plans on subsequent openings of either retail store concept.

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