QFC ADDS COLD BEVERAGES TO COFFEE BAR MENU FOR SUMMER

MINA WILLIAMS

BELLEVUE, Wash. (FNS) -- Coffee bars at QFC units have expanded their menu to meet the warm-weather demands of customers. The chain, headquartered here, has added chai tea smoothies to the repertoire of the signature Venetos Coffee Bar. These beverage offerings are being newly introduced this season.

"Even though we are in the coffee capital of the world, there are customers who don't drink coffee," said Dean Olsen, marketing director for the chain. "We have a lot of tea-drinking customers who are looking for a cooling warm-weather refresher."

The menu additions also have the potential to capture sales of those customers who already like fruit smoothie-beverages and are looking to expand their flavor options, he added.

The chai tea smoothies were incorporated to dovetail with the traditional cold-beverage offerings of the chain's Venetos coffee-bar service department. Several flavors of the chai tea smoothies are offered and blended to order.

"We are always adding variety to the bar to expand our cold-drink selection," said Olsen.

To keep up with the fast-paced demand of this service department, QFC opted to employ a mix for the chai tea smoothies.

Baristas simply use the mix along with fresh milk and ice and blend to produce the beverage.

Using a mix also helps maintain the chain's firm commitment to quality control across the Western Washington trading area.