Starbucks recently unveiled its fall menu for 2024, and one particular cat named Waffle from Santa Clara, California, has been gaining attention for her excitement over the seasonal announcement. Waffle is an 8-year-old female orange tabby cat whose owners, Kathy Guo and Sam Xie, created an Instagram account to share her adorable outfits. Xie mentioned that Waffle is treated like their child and is the “brightest star” in their lives. They initially started dressing Waffle up for fun when she was young, beginning with simple items like collars and gradually progressing to more elaborate costumes.
Waffle gained popularity on social media, amassing over 28,000 followers who were interested in purchasing the outfits she wore. Xie then began selling aprons online, as they were easier to put on a cat. This led to the creation of “Waffle The Barista,” where Waffle appears to be making coffee with her paws. The couple has invested approximately $20,000 in Waffle’s journey as a barista, including props, aprons, merchandise, and even a custom Starbucks Cat Tree costing $2,000. Waffle has become a frequent customer at a local Starbucks and has received special pins from the employees.
Waffle’s favorite drink at Starbucks is the Brown Sugar Oatmilk Iced Shaken Espresso, as it piques her curiosity. On August 21, Starbucks announced the return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte, which quickly became available nationwide. Other items on the fall menu include the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai, and Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato. The company introduced new items for the 2024 season, such as the Iced Apple Crisp Nondairy Cream Chai, Iced Caramel Apple Cream Latte, and Iced Honey Apple Almondmilk Flat White. The Pumpkin Spice Latte ranges in price from $6.25 in Texas to $7.25 in New York City for a grand size.
Waffle’s fame on social media has been fueled by her adorable outfits and playful appearances as a barista. Xie mentioned that many people love coffee, which inspired them to incorporate Waffle into their marketing strategy. Waffle has become a beloved figure online, with social media users eagerly following her adventures as a barista. The couple’s dedication to Waffle’s image as a barista has led to significant investments in costumes, props, and merchandise to enhance her presence online.
The couple started dressing Waffle in various costumes, including aprons, to share her personality and charm with their followers. This led to the creation of “Waffle The Barista,” where the cat appears to be making coffee with her paws. Waffle’s outfits and poses have captivated social media users, leading to her gaining a significant following online. The couple’s dedication to Waffle’s image and her role as a barista has garnered attention from Starbucks employees as well, who have recognized Waffle’s role as a customer at their local store.
As Waffle continues to delight social media users with her adorable outfits and barista persona, Starbucks has released its fall menu for 2024. The return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte and other seasonal favorites has generated excitement among coffee enthusiasts. The new additions to the fall menu, such as the Iced Apple Crisp Nondairy Cream Chai, Iced Caramel Apple Cream Latte, and Iced Honey Apple Almondmilk Flat White, offer customers a variety of options to enjoy the autumn season. Waffle’s presence as a frequent customer at Starbucks adds an element of fun and excitement to the coffee chain’s offerings, further enhancing her popularity as an online sensation.
