The Best Idea Yet 🥤Frappuccino: The Billion-Dollar Brainfreeze Starbucks Nearly Killed | 29
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Apr 29, 2025 Discover how the Frappuccino transitioned from a summer sales experiment to Starbucks' flagship drink. Explore the origins of this icy treat, born at a small Boston shop, and its journey into a global phenomenon. Uncover the cultural clash as Starbucks wrestled with tradition versus innovation and learn about the rise of coffee culture in Seattle. Dive into the unique blend of marketing genius and consumer trends that turned a simple idea into a billion-dollar success story.
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George Howell's Coffee Revolution
- George Howell brought West Coast artisanal coffee culture to Boston in 1975 with the Coffee Connection cafe.
- He pioneered single-origin beans and light roasts, changing Boston's coffee scene drastically.
Frozen Cappuccino Innovation
- George Howell discovered a frozen cappuccino in Seattle but struggled replicating it smoothly.
- His marketing director used a frozen yogurt maker instead of a granita machine to perfect the texture.
Barista Creates Starbucks Frappuccino
- Greg Rogers, a Starbucks barista and comedian, created a popular icy coffee drink in Santa Monica in 1994.
- It became 40% of his store's sales before corporate recognized its potential.