Starbucks fans fear for fate of favorite drinks as chain announces it is axing a third of its menu

Starbucks is set to cut a third of its menu as the struggling chain undergoes a major overhaul.

The coffee giant has been slashing perks and simplifying its offerings in an effort to reduce wait times and other key customer complaints.  

Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol announced the cuts on Tuesday during the company’s fourth quarter earnings call.  

There will be a ‘roughly 30 percent reduction in both beverages and food,’ Niccol told investors.

No specific items have yet been revealed, leaving fans concerned their favorites could be set for the chop. 

Starbucks already axed its controversial olive oil drinks and its iced energy drinks in November. 

Niccol, who took over in September, previously argued that menus had become ‘overly complex’ resulting in long lines.  

Despite this, Starbucks has still introduced two new drinks in recent months, including an espresso-based beverage called the cortado.

It has also brought back pistachio-flavored drinks, and stopped charging customers extra for dairy alternatives. 

Reducing the menu will ensure Starbuck can ‘be more responsive and tuned in to cultural moments,’ Niccol said on Tuesday. 

Some customers have taken to social media to express their concern that their favorite drinks could be removed from the menu in the coming months. 

‘Man, that’s a bummer. Hope they don’t take away my go-to drink,’ one user wrote on X. 

‘Don’t take away my chai latte Starbucks,’ another commented. 

Despite Niccol’s turnaround plans the chain still reported its fourth consecutive quarter of declines. 

Sales in US stores were down 4 percent in the quarter ending in December. 

Niccol said that he recognizes there is ‘still room for improvement’ but that he believes Starbucks is ‘on the right track.’

The chain has suffered after customers grew tired of years of price hikes and poor service.   

As part of its turnaround efforts Niccol axed a number of deals, resulting in 40 percent less discounted orders, CNN reported. 

He has also cut the popular perk of being able to visit a Starbucks location without ordering anything. 

The shift marked the end of a seven-year experiment in open-door inclusivity, which allowed Americans to visit locations without buying anything. 

In preparation for any anger or conflict that could arise from this, Starbucks is conducting three-hour training sessions for employees.

A set of documents from the barista training tells workers that they should ‘leverage de-escalation tactics’ if regular customers refuse to comply with the new rules, Business Insider reported.

And some coffee shops even have a ‘panic button’ to help workers ahead of a potential increase in altercations with customers.

One Starbucks employee in Center City, Philadelphia, said there is an emergency button which locks the store’s doors to new customers while still allowing those in the store to exit. 

The employee said long lines due to a build up of mobile orders and complicated menu items can lead to a higher number of frustrated customers.