Not to understand the appeal of Starbucks, Costa, etc.?

[Nataleejah]

What is the thing with them?
Drinks are nothing special, food is not the freshest, yet you pay for a coffee and a sandwich just as much as for a decent restaurant meal.
Or it its an adult version of a "happy meal" ?

I had a conversation with an older lady who'd spent the weekend staying with her daughter in London.

I'm amazed, she said, at how many people there were in the coffee shops drinking coffee - I mean, can't they make it at home...??

Costa/ Starbucks are overpriced. But, they are consistent.

All these people claiming 'independent' coffee shops are far superior - not in my experience and I have been to many!
Sometimes you find an absolute gem of a place but quite often, the drinks/ food are just average and independent coffee shops are not cheap either.

So, to answer OP... YABU. If people haven't got the time or inclination to look around they go for what they know and like. Nothing wrong with that.

I don't drink tea or coffee. a lot of chains do fancy drinks if I am meeting friends rather than just drinking water or a diet coke. However they are highly calorific so it's a rare treat.

I never bother now, I either get the free Waitrose coffee, the 'free' one I get from M&S with my credit card, the John Lewis free coffee and cake one I get very occasionally. I also got a free one with the Greggs app (and free crisps, lemonade, flapjack)

I would find it a bad state of affairs if I went to Costa or Starbucks and had to actually pay

When travelling abroad I always seek out McDoes for coffee, wifi and toilets.

I assume most people use them for the coffee, which is ok. The food is utterly awful and overpriced

I don't ever get coffee. I have a hot chocolate or mango + passionfruit cooler. Don't go into Starbucks..

A local independent does loose leaf tea in a proper pot with free refills. Perfect.

When we go abroad we always treat the kiddies to a McDonald's (if there is one) on the last evening. We always talk and compare the differences in menu in different countries. It's fun as they are always different.
Can't comment on Starbucks/costa/Nero etc as I don't drink coffee, only tea, but I assume they drink there because they like the drinks

Where I used to live in London I had a gorgeous independent right on my doorstep. But bloody hell they knew how to charge, so coffee and a croissant cost me about £8. So Nero it was then.

Dont like them either but you know what you get and its easy with a baby. Sadly where i used to go i cant get into...ditto eating places. Ive visited ask, pizza express in the last 12 weeks several times, something ive never done once in the last 12 years! Ditto interested nice shops. The pram, seats, too tight shops means no little antique shops for abit! Sob!!

Steps no seats

Do any of you use reusable cups?

I prefer McDonald's cappuccino.
Couldn't care less if people judge us, my teen ds"s went to McD's in Venice. If you wanted to have a good laugh about that I'd think you were a bit of a twat.

MyYoyo I've been to that one too.

Do any of you use reusable cups?

I do. I have one of those travel mugs that look like the take away cup. I don't like the black ones with a handle. Coffee always tastes weird I'm those.

I use Costa a lot because there is room for the pram without bunging the place up, there's always a baby change, they offer a decaf option and I feel comfortable to sit in a corner there and feed. I do believe in supporting independent coffee shops but I also find that I feel guilty sitting in one for over an hour with one coffee as they need the table back for other customers. Somewhere like Costa, they don't give a shit and you can be there as long as you like which is invaluable while breastfeeding.

Pumpkin Spiced Latte - code for "I don't really like coffee".

Costa, Starbucks, McDs are all great to go to with kids and babies. You can spend a few pounds and not feel guilty for taking your time over it.

I prefer Costa's coffee to that of Pret, Nero etc. I love the cheese 'n' mushroom toastie and the raspberry and almond slice. My daughter loves the cheese 'n' ham toastie and babychino. Some independent places are better, some not..

People go to different places, at different times. my town has loads of coffee shops, I go to Nero's when I have the kids with me or want to sit ignoring people, using the free wifi with headphones on and having a cappuccino and a chocolate twist. One of the little independents if I want a sandwich and coffee and don't mind having to climb up a Mount Everest style barstool and share a bench with people. The church cafe with my mum because they serve scones the size of my head. 

If I go to a new town, I might try out an independent if it just me and dh and the cake and coffee look ok, but with the kids the thought of going somewhere small with ds in his sn buggy and having a meltdown because the only cake on offer is granola based, gives me chills. 

Different cafes for different people and different times. 

As for lacking imagination, I just want a decent coffee and a nice bun. If I want to use my imagination, I'll make myself a grease tea at home, close my eyes and imagine I'm in a Morrissey song.

I use them for a peaceful (sans children) place to work. I don't care about their profits so I use their wifi for a while with a cuppa. I wouldn't do that in an independent as they would be losing out for me sitting there for ages.

Thanks for replying Bruce!

I've got an orange one I bought from tk max!

This article has some more www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jul/04/five-of-the-best-reusable-coffee-cups?0p19G=c

Anyone else use one?

If not, why not?

Starbucks is my least favourite, the coffee tastes old and everything is too milky and tepid.

I like Pret and some of the independents. Knot(sp?) does lovely coffee.

Anyone else remember the Seattle coffee shop chain?

HazyJane Love it! Deeedeee what are you on because I'll have some too. Lol

They're ubiquitous and predictable.

I wouldn't chose them if there were independents available. I don't like what they stand for/represent but sometimes I want a coffee.