The new unbeatable beverage
T hought protein goals were just for gym-goers? Think again. Nearly 2 in 3 consumers are interested in high-protein foods and drinks, turning to them for energy support, satiety, muscle-building, and everyday wellness.1 Now, protein is finding its way into one of consumers’ favorite daily rituals: coffee. Turns out, there’s more than one way to brew a strong cup. Read on to find out how this trend can have a major impact on your operation.
Coffee pulls double duty
Yep, you read that right. Coffee just got even more productive! While it’s always delivered on ritual and energy, adding protein gives it the opportunity to do that much more. This powerful combination allows one single beverage to offer caffeine, nutrition, convenience, and indulgence, making it feel more substantial than a traditional coffee.
This power boost can help coffee feel both better for you and more worth purchasing all at the same time, boosting its relevancy across several occasions (breakfast, commutes, pre-workout boosts, afternoon snacks, meal replacements, etc.). This allows for a coffee occasion that can fit more easily into the way consumers are trying to eat. The epitome of working harder, not smarter.
The easiest wellness upgrade
The strongest functional beverage innovations don’t require consumers to adopt an entirely new behavior. By turning coffee into a ‘dual-purpose’ occasion merging treat-driven beverages with functional nutrition,1 guests have even more of a reason to order.2 Gone are the days of choosing between enjoyment and function. Pour them both in the same cup!
The brew that doesn’t stop
Coffee has become one of foodservice’s most active innovation platforms.1 Seasonal flavors, cold foams, refreshers, cold brews, and customizable builds have trained consumers to expect the coffee category to evolve and to look for new reasons to engage. Protein gives operators a timely new benefit to add to that innovation pipeline, and it’s grounded in a broader, sustained consumer priority.
Your shortcut to the trend
While major coffee chains like Starbucks and Scooters are already championing protein coffee, or “proffee,” by offering upgrades like enhanced milks and protein cold foams, ready-to-drink products can make the opportunity possible far beyond the specialty café. They provide an alternative to measuring powders, blending ingredients, managing multiple components, and training employees on a new beverage build. That’s where the PepsiCo Partners portfolio can lend a hand. Our new ready-to-drink (RTD) line, Starbucks Coffee & Protein, combines 22g of complete protein, 5g of prebiotic fiber, five vitamins and minerals, and just 2 grams of sugar.4 Available in two familiar coffeehouse-inspired flavors, Classic Caffé and Caffé Mocha4, guests don’t need to choose function over taste.
PepsiCo helps you serve what’s next
Coffee already owns the ritual. Protein just makes it a little stronger. With Starbucks RTD Coffee & Protein, PepsiCo helps foodservice operators meet consumers at the intersection of energy, convenience, nutrition, and everyday enjoyment, turning a routine coffee purchase into an occasion that works even harder.
Sources
1 Datassential 2026 Top 500 Report (June 2026)
2 Food & Wine, Is Starbucks Turning Protein Coffee Into the New Normal?, May 2026
3 Datassential Packaging Perspectives June 2026
4 Starbucks, Starbucks continues to go all in on protein with new bottled Coffee & Protein beverages, February 2026
