Starbucks, 7 Brew, Memorial Day

Why It Matters

Starbucks’ retreat highlights operational risks and employee friction from rushed AI implementations, while 7 Brew’s outsized sales productivity and rapid franchising signal shifting competitive dynamics in quick-service coffee. Seasonal menus and targeted promotions show chains leaning on limited-time offers and local incentives to drive traffic and same-store sales ahead of summer.

Summary

Starbucks is abandoning an AI-driven automated inventory-counting system and will revert to a single consistent manual process after staff reported errors and inaccuracies. Drive-through chain 7 Brew continues explosive expansion — posting average unit volumes near $2.7 million, 111% annual growth since 2017, and plans for 400 new locations this year. Restaurant chains are rolling out Memorial Day and summer seasonal items, from lobster rolls and watermelon desserts to new sauces across casual-dining brands. Smaller rollouts and promotions also landed this week, including Hopy’s quality-focused marketing push and a Chicago pizza chain’s gas-price-linked loyalty discount.

Original Description

Starbucks is ditching an AI program, 7 Brew is going gangbusters, and here comes the summer menu items.