People ages 18-24 are Starbucks' second biggest demographic, just after men and women ages 25-44. One avid Starbucks drinker is speaking out and hoping to make a change when it comes to the coffee chain's use of age.
Earlier this month, Stacy Pincus from Chicago filed a federal lawsuit accusing Starbucks of misleading consumers. Pincus is suing the company for $5 million. The suit alleges that iced beverages at Starbucks are advertised at 24 ounces but in reality only contain about 14 ounces of fluid. 
The lawsuit states, "A Starbucks customer who orders and pays for a cold drink receives much less than advertised -- often nearly half as many fluid ounces by design and corporate practice and procedure." This statement refers the the Starbucks practice of filling the cups with the drink first and then scooping the ice in after.
The company does not believe the lawsuit stands a chance, saying, "Our customers understand and expect that ice is an essential component of any iced beverage." Spokesperson Jaime Riley stated, "If a customer is not satisfied with their beverage preparation, we will gladly remake it."
Many other Starbucks consumers have responded to the lawsuit suggesting the person who filed it just order their drinks with light ice. While this may sometimes be an easily solution, it is not always fool-proof.
A quick search on twitter will show a slew of disgruntled customers who ordered light ice but still received more ice than necessary.
The lawsuit also points out the chilled, ice drinks cost more than heated drinks even though they receive less liquid. This fact may be due to the products needed for an iced drink.
Compared to hot beverages in paper cups, iced drinks need plastic cups and straws. While ice is just ice, it means the store needs an ice machine. But perhaps the biggest difference is the preparation.
Most iced coffees are "cold brewed." This is a process of grinding the beans coarsely, having them sit in room-temperature water overnight and then filtering the grinds out to produce a cold-bew concentrate. This process requires more labor and planning.
The idea that the preparation of iced coffee is causing all iced beverages to be over-iced is inexcusable to me. While I, myself always order "light ice" on my ice beverages I have been burned before. I also think a $5 million is a little ridiculous, but I do think Pincus has the right idea. It's all about the advertising. Starbucks should stick true to their advertised ounces or change them.
