Pokémon GO And Starbucks Confirm Collaboration

Niantic, Inc., The Pokémon Company International and Starbucks Coffee Company are teaming up to explore the intersection of technology and local community. Pokémon GO – one of the most popular mobile games of the year in which players can encounter Pokémon in the real world – has demonstrated how technology can motivate people to get outside and into their communities. Starbucks has a long-standing commitment to providing spaces for social interaction and real world community building in its extensive network of Starbucks locations.

Today at 11 a.m. PST, more than 7,800 company-operated Starbucks locations in the U.S. will begin to transform within the game into PokéStops or Gyms, enabling Trainers to play the game while meeting friends, recharge in the Starbucks environment, and enjoy the new Pokémon GO Frappuccino® blended beverage. The Pokémon GO Frappuccino® blended beverage starts with a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino® and blends in raspberry syrup with freeze dried whole blackberries, topped with whipped cream – the perfect treat for any Pokémon Trainer on the go.

“Starbucks has played an important role in creating welcoming places for people to come together for refreshment and social engagement,” said John Hanke, CEO, Niantic, Inc. “The physical locations component of the collaboration is important to us as we look for ways to use technology to encourage exploration, exercise and real world social interaction, and Starbucks’ footprint throughout the U.S. provides an awesome platform.”

“The Pokémon brand has been surprising and delighting its fans for 20 years and we’re thrilled to be working with a premium brand like Starbucks to bring Pokémon GO to many of its U.S. locations,” said J.C. Smith, Sr. Director of Consumer Marketing, The Pokémon Company International. “We’re always looking for the best ways to deliver the joy of our gameplay and beloved characters to our fans, so we’re also excited to see the first-ever Pokémon-themed Starbucks beverage.”