Starbucks mobilizes customers nationwide

Starbucks Coffee Co. customers across the country can now order and pay ahead.



More precisely, Starbucks is rolling out its mobile order and pay option on its mobile app to more than 7,400 corporate stores across the United States.



Customers can use the Starbucks mobile app to place and pay for their order in advance of their visit and pick it up at a participating Starbucks location. They choose a store from a map view, browse, select and customize beverage and food items, view the estimated timeframe the order will be ready, and pre-pay for the order.



“Bringing mobile order and pay to our customers is about meeting their needs of convenience and customization at any time of the day,” said Adam Brotman, Starbucks chief digital officer. “The fact that it also represents the fastest technology application rollout we have ever done is indicative of the strength of our digital ecosystem, how well it has been received by both our customers and store partners and the impact we think it can have on the future of retail.”



Menu options highlight products available in specific geographic regions and stores, and orders are freshly prepared and ready for pick-up in the bar area. The feature is fully integrated into Starbucks’ app and loyalty program, and purchases count toward “Stars” reward points.



Following the initial test of mobile order and pay in Portland, Oregon in December 2014 and subsequent launch across the Pacific Northwest in March 2015, Starbucks expanded the program to 3,400 additional stores across 17 states in the U.S. earlier this summer. Starbucks plans to introduce this feature in select company-owned stores in the U.K. and Canada in October.