The Best One Yet
🥤 Frappuccino: The Billion-Dollar Brainfreeze Starbucks Nearly Killed
May 3, 2025
Discover the origins of the Frappuccino, an iconic drink that transformed Starbucks into a global brand. Learn how a Boston coffee shop's summer slump inspired the creation of this frozen coffee innovation. Uncover the story of a stand-up comic's bold idea that faced dismissal from Starbucks' CEO. The podcast reveals how a blend of creativity and marketing turned a simple drink into a cultural phenomenon, creating a new era in beverage sales and customer orders.
08:41
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- The Frappuccino's success transformed Starbucks from a regional coffee chain into a global lifestyle brand, driving 75% of beverage sales.
- Originally conceived to combat summer sales slumps, the Frappuccino's creation highlights the importance of adapting existing ideas for innovation.
Deep dives
The Origins of the Frappuccino
The Starbucks Frappuccino, a caffeine staple for many, was not actually invented by Starbucks but was acquired from a small coffee shop in Boston called Coffee Connection, founded by George Howell. Howell's coffee philosophy centered around high-quality, lightly roasted beans, which set his shop apart from the darker roasts commonly available at the time. His introduction of single-origin sourcing highlighted the unique taste attributes influenced by specific farms, similar to the wine industry. Despite his success, Howell faced a seasonal slump in summer sales, prompting him to search for innovative solutions to attract customers year-round.
