Starbucks’ annual Red Cup Day is here, meaning customers have a chance to receive a special, limited-edition cup today only.
The coffee chain’s annual giveaway could be impacted by labor relations at certain locations, however. Starbucks union members voted Nov. 5 to approve a strike across the United States on Red Cup Day unless a contract agreement is reached.
Here’s what we know.
What does Red Cup Day mean at Starbucks?
On Thursday, Nov. 13, customers who order a handcrafted holiday beverage at participating U.S. Starbucks locations will receive a free, limited-edition grande (16 oz.) reusable red cup, while supplies last.
Starbucks said the red cup giveaway is available however you order, including in-store and via the drive-thru, as well as in the Starbucks app and Starbucks delivery on DoorDash, GrubHub, and Uber Eats.
After Red Cup Day, customers who bring back their reusable cup, or any cup, will receive a 10-cent discount on their beverage, plus Starbucks Rewards members will earn double stars on their entire order, the company said.
Red Cup Day design 2025
This year’s cup is made with 95 percent recycled material, according to the company, and features an illustration of the front of a Starbucks coffeehouse, hand-drawn by Starbucks designer Yvonne Chan.
Shop Starbucks on Amazon
What drinks qualify for Starbucks Red Cup Day?
According to Starbucks, customers can order the following beverages to receive the reusable cup:
Notably, Starbucks Christmas Blend and Starbucks Reserve Christmas brewed coffee are not included in this offer, according to the chain.
Are Starbucks stores striking on Red Cup Day?
Starbucks Workers United, the union that represents some of the chain’s baristas, announced earlier this month that it would begin a strike on Nov. 13, the of chain’s popular Red Cup Day, if a contractual agreement was not met with the company.
Strikes are planned for stores in 41 cities on Thursday, Nov. 13, the union said.
More than 100 lawmakers urged Starbucks to resume bargaining talks with Workers United in letters sent to Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol on Monday, Nov. 10, Reuters reported, arguing the coffee giant has the resources to increase workers’ pay and benefits.
“Our fight is about actually making Starbucks jobs the best jobs in retail. Right now, it’s only the best job in retail for Brian Niccol,” said Jasmine Leli, a three-year Starbucks barista and strike captain from Buffalo, New York, in a Nov. 5 news release.
Starbucks Corp. spokesperson Jaci Anderson told USA TODAY that the company was disappointed the union is choosing to strike rather than negotiate.
Anderson said the “overwhelming majority” of its locations are expected to remain open and serve customers as normal on Red Cup Day, adding that less than 1% of its coffeehouses have been impacted by strike activity in the past.
Starbucks Workers United represents employees at about 550 unionized shops among the coffee chain’s estimated 10,000 U.S. locations.
Starbucks locations in Illinois
Customers can find a nearby Starbucks cafe using the chain’s online store locator.
Contributing: Melina Khan & Fernando Cervantes Jr.
This article was updated to correct a misspelling.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: It’s Red Cup Day at Starbucks. Here’s how to get a reusable holiday cup in Illinois
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall and Gabe Hauari, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
