Why Starbuck’s Baristas Suddenly Hate Us [The Katchup Podcast]

So we may have pissed off some baristas at Starbucks, but maybe we can have a Heineken with them and work out our differences.

Starbucks pulled off a massive success this past week with its Unicorn Frappuccino. Even if it wasn’t the tastiest drink around, the Frap went so viral and was so talked about that it helped bump Starbucks’ stock up at least six percent in just the last two weeks alone. It also triggered a ton of social media buzz and follow-up drinks, like the Unicorn Lemonade that our very own Isai Rocha uncovered (while giving it its name). Baristas now hate unicorns, and hate us for pushing both the Frap and off-menu lemonade, so much so, they created a new Subreddit, trying to keep us out.

Meanwhile, Heineken launched one of the most powerful commercials of 2017, showcasing an social experiment that pit people of opposite political views, and got them talking with each other, despite their differences. Its point was that we can always find a way to talk with each other over a cold beer.

Foodbeast Editor-In-Chief Elie Ayrouth and myself dived deep into both of these subjects on this week’s rendition of Foodbeast’s podcast, The Katchup. We discussed what the Unicorn Frappuccino’s wild success meant for the future of Starbucks, how our own Isai’s Unicorn Lemonade discovery led to baristas hating our guts (and the creation of a secret new Subreddit), and we also dove into the messages of Heineken’s commercial and why it was a much better campaign than Pepsi’s busted Kendall Jenner ad.

If you’re looking for some positive discussions in a world of seemingly increasing negativity, this podcast might be the thing that lifts your spirits. Hopefully.