Starbucks pairs with Italian baker in latest food offering

Updated
Starbucks to open upscale reserve-only stores next year
Starbucks to open upscale reserve-only stores next year

Starbucks is partnering with an Italian artisan baker in the company's latest effort to expand its food offerings.

The company announced this week that it's working with Rocco Princi to bring his artisanal baked goods to select Starbucks locations. The goods will be made in-house.

Princi operates specialty stores in Milan and London, where ingredients like tomatoes, peppers and flour are displayed so customers can see them against a backdrop of design details such as marble and warm lighting, according to Starbucks.

Howard Schultz, Starbucks chief executive, explains:

"You can feel the passion and craft that goes in to every morsel of food that he makes. Rocco is in his stores, behind the counter, teaching his people and delivering visually beautiful, mouthwatering food. I've been exposed to great culinary experiences around the world, and nothing comes close to what Rocco Princi creates."

Princi baked goods will be made from scratch at all new Starbucks Roastery locations, including those planned for Shanghai in 2017 — the first international location — and New York City in 2018.

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Starbucks Roastery locations are specialty stores where specialty beans are roasted in small batches for customers to witness. Schultz has described them as "the Willy Wonka of coffee" and "the next generation of Starbucks."

The first Roastery debuted in 2014 in Seattle, where Starbucks is headquartered.

Schultz says:

"We're going to be baking from scratch in our Roasteries the kind of food that perfectly complements our most premium coffee experience."

If you're not into paying more than you have to for premium coffee, check out "5 Great Ways to Save More Bucks at Starbucks."

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