8 Common Customer Complaints About Starbucks

Starbucks is a coffee chain that everyone is familiar with, and most people have likely ordered a drink there at some point. As the largest coffee house chain in the world, its name has become synonymous with a takeout before work or a leisurely break with friends. The familiarity of the chain helps to make it so popular, too. Popularity doesn't guarantee high-quality experiences, however, and Starbucks has its fair share of unhappy customers.

When you are one of the world's biggest drink brands, customers expect things to be done right, and online reviews show this is not always the case. From bitter-tasting coffee to cold drinks packed with too much ice and waiting times that simply aren't worth it, Starbucks customers have plenty to complain about.

For this list, we looked at issues that received multiple complaints across different locations in the U.S., which simply happened too often to be a fluke or a personal preference. From prices that seem to be constantly increasing to the changing atmosphere, let's take a look at some of the most common customer complaints about Starbucks.

Grabbing a cup of coffee on the way to work has become a regular part of modern life for many, and the expense that goes with it is generally accepted by those who need a fresh cup of morning joe. However, the prices at Starbucks seem to increase more than customers expect, and some feel it has gotten ridiculous.

One customer noticed that the cost of his usual order was creeping up, and on checking discovered that the price for the exact same items had increased four times within a three-month period. Taking to Reddit to voice his concerns, a Starbucks employee replied that launching a new range of products was always accompanied by a price increase of around 20 cents or so. If this occurred once a year, customers probably wouldn't mind or even notice, but with new ranges regularly appearing, the rate of increase on drinks is more than many customers are willing to stand for.

One customer on Trustpilot refers to her pumpkin spice latte that cost $9, and says she won't be back until the prices drop; it was cheaper to purchase an espresso machine and make them at home. As one Reddit user commented when asked when the rises would stop, "When the customers stop buying. But since they keep coming back, corporations keep raising prices." While there are still Starbucks drinks that cost less than $5, many people are unhappy with the cost of their usual order and are starting to take their business elsewhere.

Starbucks is naturally famous for its coffee, but a surprising number of customers complain about the flavor. One of the most common issues is that it tastes burnt, with many customers commenting that it tastes this way every time they order. Burnt and bitter coffee won't encourage customers to return, but there could be an explanation in Starbucks' range of bean types.

According to the Starbucks website, the company has three different roasts, designed to tailor to individual tastes. At the milder end of the scale are the blonde varieties, which are roasted for less time and result in an "easy-drinking cup of more mellow flavors." At the other end lie the dark roasts, presumably roasted longer and with a "fuller body with robust, bold taste." One Starbucks employee on Reddit even says, "Starbucks has roasts that are roasted more than anything you would find in most coffee shops around the world." This discrepancy between roasts could explain the regular complaints about burnt and bitter coffee, while others describe it as rich and smooth.

For those unhappy with the intensity of their drink, the blonde roasts may be a more suitable option. They create a more mellow option that may be more palatable than some of the stronger blends, and prevent Starbucks fans from needing to look elsewhere for a coffee with less bitterness.

When ordering an iced drink in Starbucks, it is safe to say people expect it to contain ice. However, there are a number of complaints that the drinks contain very little else, leaving customers feeling cheated as their drink is finished in a matter of seconds.

One customer posted a photo of their cup on Reddit, pointing out that the drink was 90% ice, and not worth the money ($5 in 2022). Reviewers on Trustpilot also complain about the same issue, with customers describing their drinks as being ¾ ice. Fellow customers and staff advise asking for light ice to counteract this problem, but not everyone agrees with this tactic, as it can ruin the proportions of the drink and mess up the flavor.

One Reddit user pointed out, "Iced ventis are 24 ounces (4 ounces larger than an actual venti) to account for how much room the ice takes up," suggesting that the volume of ice is factored into the price, rather than the customer being short-changed with a lack of coffee. This difference in drink size is confirmed on the Starbucks website, where the hot venti latte is 20 ounces, and the iced version is listed as 24 ounces. While these may be reasonable excuses as to the large quantities of ice, most customers are not aware of this when ordering their drinks; the frustration over more ice than liquid will likely continue, but light ice is the easiest way to get less in your drink.

Starbucks was supposed to be a coffee chain that was so much more than just the cup of joe, and former CEO Howard Schultz talked about the chain acting as "the third place." This concept was introduced in the 1980s by Ray Oldenburg as not work, not home, but a place for freedom and relaxation, and one which encourages community. While the Starbucks cafes of the '90s are fondly remembered as being warm and inviting, now customers feel that the welcoming atmosphere has been lost as the brand shifts further toward being a fast food chain. 

"I miss the vibe of Starbucks in the 2000s when it was dimly lit and they had jazzy music playing while selling CDs, teddy bears, and Cranium games up front," reminisced one user on Reddit, continuing, "Starbucks has completely lost its charm." According to replies in the same thread, the company's policy was officially moving away from its welcoming vibe by refusing to let anyone sit in the coffee house who didn't order a drink, and suggesting that free tap water would not be available either.

For those who fondly remember the Starbucks of old, there may be a glimmer of hope. An article on the Starbucks website at the end of 2024 spoke of rediscovering the third place and returning the sense of belonging that it acknowledges has been lost to an extent. "We're going back to our roots – to what makes Starbucks, Starbucks," is what the article claims at the end. Loyal customers will be watching closely to see if this is indeed what transpires in the coming years.

One of the big attractions of eating and drinking at a coffee house like Starbucks is the speed at which you can be served, compared to a more formal restaurant with table service. Many of the customer complaints, however, are around the long wait times to get a drink, with some people waiting more than half an hour for their order.

One Reddit user described waiting for more than 30 minutes for one iced coffee, and the replies confirmed that this was not a one-off occurrence. One commenter claiming to be a staff member explained, "unfortunately it doesn't matter how simple your drink is when it's that busy, it still sits in the same place in line (except a brewed coffee or tea)." This dispels any misconception that a single-item order will be processed with more priority than a large family meal, with other employees confirming that the tickets are dealt with on a first-come-first-served basis.

One additional point that could add to customer frustration is the lack of transparency regarding the wait. One employee claimed that staff are not allowed to disclose the wait time, even if customers ask, for fear of "driving away buyers." Other employees claim to disregard these rules, saying they don't want to be held responsible for someone being late because of a long line. While stores are expected to be busy at certain times, understaffing seems to be an issue at some branches. Customers end up leaving the line and presumably taking their business elsewhere.

Mobile ordering has become a regular part of ordering fast food, in theory cutting down wait times and allowing you to walk into the coffee house and pick up your order straight away. In practice, it is not always that simple, and the number of complaints about Starbucks' mobile ordering suggests that customers don't find it the time saver it should be.

One major issue seems to be the discrepancy between the time customers assume their order will be ready, and the reality. Customers describe turning up at the time stated on the app, only to be met with an angry response from the staff member. One employee explains on Reddit one possible reason: "It's the fact that Starbucks corporate is crazy about [drive-thru] times which makes some baristas unreasonably angry when customers come at the time the app says because if they're running behind they won't have it and the [drive-thru] times get messed up." The pressure on staff to get drive-thru times down to 35 seconds from the time the customer pulls up has an impact on anyone wanting to pick up a mobile order from the drive-thru instead of the store. 

Starbucks has perhaps recognized this issue, as a new scheduled ordering procedure was rolled out before the summer of 2026, with the aim of having orders ready for customers when they arrive, up to one hour after placing the order. Hopefully, this new system will help to relieve the frustration of mobile customers, whose orders, according to employees, were previously deprioritized compared to in-store or drive-thru orders.

Reliability is a main benefit of visiting a coffee chain rather than an independent coffee house. If you love to order a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, knowing you can get the exact same drink in any branch across the country will keep your taste buds happy. Unfortunately, Starbucks seems to fall short on consistency according to reviews and complaints from customers disappointed with the offerings, even within the same branch at times.

One upset customer on Trustpilot told how she orders the same drink seven days a week at the same branch, but is often disappointed. "I always seem to get a barista that doesn't know what a Breve is, or an extra shot and they burn the coffee," they said. "I [had] to throw away $7.21 down the drain, that's how bad it was!" Another customer told how their sweet cream cold brew often comes with the cream at the bottom, instead of the top where it belongs.

Some staff claim the differences between drinks are due to employees cutting corners to be lazy, whereas others blame a lack of proper staff training. Small inconsistencies can reasonably be expected from one staff member to another. However, when customers are regularly spending their hard-earned money, they expect to order their favorite drinks and enjoy them just as much every time.

Drinks are primarily what Starbucks is known for, with its wide variety of coffee-based drinks being the main attraction. However, customers see the chain as a place to enjoy breakfast and lunch too, though the food takes a lot of criticism on both quality and price.

Multiple Trustpilot reviews complain about the food, calling it bad, overpriced, and horrible. Baked goods and lunch items both garnered criticism, with customers shocked at the poor quality in relation to the price.

One Reddit thread, which starts by calling the food disgusting, revealed that many customers assume the food is made fresh and that the baristas can customize the dishes to suit customers. One staff member admitted to telling a customer who suggested the brownies needed longer in the oven, "Well I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this but they come already precooked in a bag, just like every other food item here." If you are craving fresh and tasty food for brunch, Starbucks is not the place to find it — no matter how awesome the flavored lattes are.

To create this list of common Starbucks complaints, we looked at customer reviews and comments across a variety of online sites and forums. Complaints needed to be recurring across multiple sites and locations, rather than a specific complaint about one restaurant or staff member. Only reviews based on U.S. Starbucks branches were considered, though it does appear that the majority of the complaints apply to international Starbucks restaurants too. Sources include Reddit threads, Trustpilot reviews, and Facebook comments.