OVERVIEW OF THE SEGMENT 
Current State of the Segment 
The U.S. has faced an economic recession for quite some time now, leading to a hit in specialty coffee sales. With unemployment rates hitting new highs, the average American has been looking for ways to cut back on luxuries, in an effort to conserve funds. Many are skipping their daily venti skinny half-caf caramel macchiatos, and running by McDonald’s or Dunkin’ Donuts for their morning cup of Joe. Still others are brewing their own cups in fancy new machines that advertise long-term savings for the consumer (Reiley, 2009). 
In a 2009 independent taste test conducted in Tampa Bay, both hot coffee and iced coffee from the big three were compared. The unanimous hot favorite was Starbucks’ Pike Peak, with Journal of Case Research in Business and Economics 
Coffee wars, page 8