When it comes to Nanny Bloomberg's ban on sugary drinks over 16 ounces (starting next Tuesday!) different chains are taking very different approaches. Dunkin' Donuts has begun putting slightly confusing pamphlets around its stores explaining its interpretation of the new rules while its arch-rival Starbucks? The Seattle-giant is choosing to do nothing. For now.
"A majority of our drinks fall outside of the ban, and we’re not expecting to make any immediate changes next week," Linda Mills, a spokeswoman for Starbucks explains of their plans. And considering Big Soda's attempts to squash the new rules, and the city's announced three month grace period for enforcing it, Starbucks' strategy of waiting and seeing seems reasonable.
Further, the coffee behemoth believes that the way the rules are written, their baristas can still add sugar to large drinks if the customer asks for it (something the city right now does not agree with). So, yeah, it makes sense for the company to wait. After all, a few $200 fines aren't going to financially ruin Starbucks, and what is the DOH going to do—shut them down? The borough of Manhattan (and only the borough of Manhattan) may support the "soda ban" now, but you mess with those people's Triple Venti Non Fat No Foam Extra Caramel Whip Caramel Macchiatos and there will be hell to pay.
Still, just because Starbucks isn't playing the Soda Ban game, for now, doesn't mean you won't have to play come Tuesday. So let's review the rules one more time, eh?
