29 Starbucks Survey Questions: Types, Samples & Best Practices

Product Feedback & New Drink Development Survey

Why & When to Use

Introducing a new beverage at Starbucks is serious business—every sip must be crave-worthy. Product feedback surveys decode real-world reactions, helping Starbucks perfect flavors before a national launch. When a Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew hits the menu, data rolls in via receipt links or app notifications sent to brave taste-testers. This gives Starbucks a decisive edge: winners make it big, and so-so drinks exit gracefully.

Savvy brands time these surveys carefully: - Right after a customer tries the latest Frappuccino or croissant
- To targeted loyalty app users who frequently order “new” or “seasonal”
- Immediately after in-store samples or local trial runs
- Across regions to spot surprise hits or oddball misses

Sample results drive everything from recipe tweaks to ad campaigns. Identifying winning flavor profiles early protects Starbucks from launching a national dud—and keeps those Instagram feeds buzzing with excitement.

5 Sample Questions

1. Which new drink did you try today?
   
2. Rate the taste of the beverage.
   
3. How likely are you to recommend this drink to a friend?
   
4. What flavor notes stood out the most?
   
5. What would make you purchase this drink again?
   

Keep these questions direct and engaging. With just a handful of well-crafted queries, Starbucks can spot which drinks deserve cult status and which belong in the “nice try” pile.

Starbucks' "My Starbucks Idea" platform, launched in 2008, amassed over 150,000 customer suggestions in its first five years, leading to popular products like the Pumpkin Spice Latte. (innosabi.com)

Store Experience & Ambiance Survey

Why & When to Use

A great Starbucks experience is never just about the coffee. Store experience and ambiance surveys dig into the subtle, environmental cues that make customers linger—and keep the average ticket growing. Is the music energizing but not overpowering? Are tables clean, and armchairs as comfy as a Saturday afternoon? Starbucks runs these pulse checks monthly to learn exactly what customers see, hear, and feel.

These surveys target visit regulars and newcomers alike. Deploy by email or app to customers tracked by recent check-ins. Measure against direct competitors (local cafes and chains) to pinpoint Starbucks’ edge or needed improvements. Driving dwell time and average check size is the secret mission.

Use-cases include: - Highlighting cleaning gaps or seating shortages before complaints pile up
- Refining playlists, lighting, or décor to create that “home away from home” vibe
- Benchmarking experience metrics across flagships and drive-thru stores
- Testing big changes—like furniture upgrades or new wall art—before rolling out nationwide

5 Sample Questions

1. How would you rate the overall cleanliness of the café?
   
2. Was it easy to find a seat during your visit?
   
3. How appropriate was the music volume?
   
4. How does this store’s ambiance compare to other coffee shops you visit?
   
5. What is one change that would improve the atmosphere for you?
   

The most effective surveys make environmental feedback actionable. Done right, even small tweaks can transform a pitstop into a favorite hangout spot.

Mobile App & Digital Experience Survey

Why & When to Use

In today’s coffee culture, the app experience is just as important as the espresso. Mobile app and digital surveys hunt for friction points in ordering, payment, and pick-up—where a design misstep can ruin a perfectly foamy drink. Starbucks triggers these surveys as a pop-over when a user completes a mobile order, catching them at peak engagement.

Aim for quick feedback from heavy app users, lapsed mobile buyers, or anyone new to features like order-ahead or e-gifting. The goal is crystal-clear: detecting friction fast so the digital pipeline runs as smoothly as the best barista line.

Common use-cases: - Spotting glitches in new app releases or features
- Mapping reasons users abandon digital carts or choose drive-thru only
- Prioritizing updates based on real-world user pain points
- Testing clarity of promotional banners and limited-time offers in the digital space

5 Sample Questions

1. How easy was it to locate your preferred drink in the app?
   
2. Did you encounter any glitches while checking out?
   
3. How accurate was the estimated pick-up time?
   
4. Which feature would you most like us to add?
   
5. Overall, how satisfied are you with the Starbucks app?
   

The best surveys here are lightning fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to tap with one hand (the other being busy with a Frappuccino, of course).

In Q1 2024, Starbucks' mobile app accounted for over 30% of U.S. store transactions, highlighting its critical role in customer engagement. (geekwire.com)

Loyalty Program & Rewards Survey

Why & When to Use

Nothing builds habits (and bigger orders) like a clever loyalty program. Starbucks® Rewards surveys keep the program evolving, asking members what works, what’s confusing, or what might make them switch to a rival. Sent quarterly to active members, these surveys gather the inside scoop on why people save up Stars, how valuable they find perks, and what could spark even greater engagement.

Deploy these surveys to members: - After major perk changes or tier updates hit the app
- Leading up to double-Star days or exclusive merch drops
- When seeing churn risk or waning engagement in the data
- To lapsed members as a “what went wrong?” pulse check

A well-timed survey increases not just feedback—but redemption, advocacy, and annual spend. Optimizing loyalty ROI wins big when you catch issues before members ghost your program.

5 Sample Questions

1. How valuable do you find the current Rewards tiers?
   
2. What drives you to collect Stars most: free drinks, merch, or exclusive offers?
   
3. Have you ever churned from the program? If yes, why?
   
4. How clear are the redemption rules?
   
5. Which perk would increase your engagement the most?
   

Craft questions so they yield clear, actionable insights—making it easy to spot which tweaks will drive more loyalty and less “meh.”

Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability Survey

Why & When to Use

For today’s coffee lovers, mission matters. Sustainability and social responsibility surveys tell Starbucks which values resonate—and which eco efforts deserve center stage. These are rolled out during Earth Month or alongside new green initiatives: think reusable cup discounts, switches to ethical beans, or compostable packaging. The voice of the customer here is gold, helping Starbucks stay both relevant and responsible.

Distribute these surveys: - With in-store QR codes during environmental promo weeks
- Through the mobile app to users who regularly redeem sustainability rewards
- To social media followers during relevant global campaigns
- To key community partners or local advocacy groups for deeper feedback

The aim is to align Starbucks’ sustainability strategy with what customers really want—not just what the headlines promise.

5 Sample Questions

1. How important is Starbucks’ commitment to ethical sourcing in your purchase decision?
   
2. Would you pay an extra $0.25 for a fully compostable cup?
   
3. How often do you bring a reusable mug?
   
4. Which sustainability effort should Starbucks prioritize next?
   
5. Share any suggestions for reducing waste in our stores.
   

Keep questions future-focused and honest, so Starbucks can champion the changes coffee lovers actually care about.

Employee Engagement & Barista Feedback Survey

Why & When to Use

Behind every perfect flat white is a team of passionate baristas. Employee engagement surveys allow Starbucks to measure morale, surface training gaps, and cut turnover—a hot-button issue in any service business. Run these twice a year, or right after new training modules, to track how changes affect staff buy-in and performance.

Send to all levels: part-time cashiers, seasoned shift leads, and even brand-new managers. Tailor for specific regions, roles, or tenure bands for deeper insights. Boosting morale and talent retention are always top objectives.

Common triggers: - Pre- and post-training sessions to check for knowledge gains or confidence dips
- Following rollouts of new technology, workflow, or compensation perks
- Annually, as part of store culture benchmarking
- Post-promotion, to track satisfaction with new advancement pathways

5 Sample Questions

1. On a scale of 1–10, how supported do you feel by your store manager?
   
2. Which tasks most hinder your ability to deliver great service?
   
3. How clear are your advancement opportunities within Starbucks?
   
4. What additional training would help you excel?
   
5. How likely are you to recommend Starbucks as a workplace?
   

Focus on creating safe spaces for honest feedback. Happy partners make iconic customer moments—and keep the brand culture strong.

Starbucks Survey Question Dos & Don’ts

Best Practices for Crafting Stellar Surveys

Smart surveys are a blend of art and science. When creating Starbucks surveys, follow these best practices to get the richest, most actionable feedback every time. First up: keep every question clear and single-minded—no one likes a mushy double-barrel. Short, plain wording always wins over jargon or marketing speak.

Other top recommendations include: - Make early questions easy and confidence-boosting to build momentum - Mix up rating scales, simple multiples, and open-ends for richer insight - Use skip logic smartly to avoid survey fatigue and irrelevance - Pilot your survey internally with a small group for glitches - Always close the loop by sharing “here’s what we changed” results with respondents

Just as important is knowing what NOT to do. - Avoid any question that mashes two concepts together (“Were you greeted and was your coffee hot?”—ouch!) - Never use biased or leading phrasing (“How amazing was our new employee?”) - Mandatory open-text questions or heat maps often scare busy guests—moderation is key - Keep surveys under 10 minutes to sidestep drop-offs and bad data - Never ignore follow-up: tie action plans to the data

Before hitting launch, run through this quick checklist: - Are all questions focused and jargon-free?
- Does the flow start easy and finish strong?
- Did you test on mobile AND desktop?
- Are any incentives or promos mentioned clearly and upfront?
- Is there a plan to share survey learnings with real customers or employees?

Following these star rules helps Starbucks capture authentic feedback—whether you’re launching a new Frappuccino or just tidying up the playlist.

Surveys aren’t just forms—they’re Starbucks’ most powerful listening tool. By cherry-picking the right questions for every goal, Starbucks turns feedback into stronger drinks, happier staff, and a store experience that keeps customers—and partners—coming back. Master these essentials, and every survey can inspire your next big win. Ready to stir things up? Your perfect survey awaits.