Customers Cannot Assert A Claim Based On Starbucks's Alleged Failure To Provide The "Perfect" Coffee Experience

On August 27, 2021, the Second Circuit upheld dismissal of a putative class action brought by Starbucks customers under New York consumer protection statutes. The plaintiffs alleged that Starbucks's marketing materials promoting the quality of its coffee – including claims such as "the finest whole bean coffees," "Best Coffee for the Best You," and a "PERFECT" coffee experience – were misleading due to the chain's alleged use of pest-control pesticides in some of its Manhattan stores. The district court disagreed, dismissing the complaint on the basis that the plaintiffs did not allege "any statements likely to mislead reasonable consumers." George v. Starbucks Corp., No. 19-6185, 2020 WL 6802955, at *2 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 19, 2020). The court found that the vast majority of the challenged statements were patently puffery, while the only statement that could conceivably support a claim for deceptive business practices – that Starbucks baked goods contain "no artificial dyes