Starbucks has become synonymous with coffee, but the popular cafe chain also offers a variety of food items including pastries, sandwiches, and breakfast foods like oatmeal and yogurt parfaits. One popular breakfast offering from Starbucks is the ham and cheese croissant. However, there have recently been questions from customers about whether Starbucks is discontinuing their ham and cheese croissant.
Is the ham and cheese croissant being discontinued?
After some investigation into the matter, it does not appear that Starbucks has any current plans to discontinue their ham and cheese croissant. While availability of menu items can vary by location, the ham and cheese croissant remains an official menu item that Starbucks locations are able to offer to customers. There have been no announcements from Starbucks regarding plans to remove the ham and cheese croissant from menus.
Some customers may have seen their local Starbucks running out of stock of the ham and cheese croissant temporarily or staff informing them it is unavailable. However, these appear to be isolated incidents rather than an indication the item is being discontinued across all stores. With Starbucks offering a wide variety of menu items, locations can periodically run out of certain foods if they prove more popular than forecasted. But supply is typically replenished after a couple days.
Additionally, some Starbucks locations may opt not to carry the full range of food items available on the Starbucks menu. So it’s possible some individual stores have chosen not to offer the ham and cheese croissant. But again, there are no signs of the item being removed from the menu completely.
History of the Starbucks ham and cheese croissant
To understand why many Starbucks customers enjoy the ham and cheese croissant, it helps to know a bit about the history of the item on their menu. Starbucks first introduced a line of hot breakfast sandwiches and pastries to their menu in 2008 as part of an initiative to offer more food options in stores.
The ham and cheese croissant was one of the initial food offerings featured alongside items like a spinach feta wrap and chicken sausage sandwich. Over the years, Starbucks has reformulated and tweaked their food lineup, including a revamp in 2019 of their breakfast sandwiches. But the ham and cheese croissant has remained a staple item that customers continue to order.
Ingredients
The classic ingredients that have made up Starbucks’ version of the ham and cheese croissant from the beginning include:
- Flaky croissant dough
- Black Forest ham
- Swiss cheese
- Dijon mustard spread
These ingredients between buttery, flaky croissant layers provide the perfect balance of savory and sweet. The black forest ham adds a smoky, salty flavor while the swiss cheese gives it a nutty, mellow quality and creaminess.
Nutrition Information
Here are the nutrition facts for a Starbucks ham and cheese croissant:
| Calories | 350 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 18g |
| Carbohydrates | 34g |
| Protein | 16g |
As a pastry-based food item, the ham and cheese croissant is higher in calories, fat, and carbohydrates than some of Starbucks’ other breakfast sandwich options. The cheese and butter in the croissant contributes to its higher fat and saturated fat totals. But it provides a good amount of protein from the ham.
Popularity of the Starbucks ham and cheese croissant
There are several reasons why the ham and cheese croissant remains one of Starbucks’ most popular morning food selections:
- It has a perfect combination of flavors and textures – the crispy, flaky croissant with melted cheese and smoky ham is highly craveable.
- As a hot sandwich, it is satisfying on cold mornings and with coffee.
- It is freshly prepared at Starbucks locations rather than pre-packaged.
- At under $5, it provides a quick meal at an affordable price point.
- Customers enjoy that they can customize it with additions like tomatoes, spinach, or sauces.
Here is a look at how Starbucks’ ham and cheese croissant sales compare to some other popular food items over a one year period:
| Food Item | 2021 Sales |
|---|---|
| Ham and Cheese Croissant | 19.2 million |
| Sausage, Egg, and Cheddar Breakfast Sandwich | 18.4 million |
| Reduced Fat Turkey Bacon Breakfast Sandwich | 17.1 million |
| Spinach, Feta, and Cage-Free Egg White Breakfast Wrap | 15.8 million |
| Blueberry Oatmeal | 14.5 million |
| Sous Vide Egg Bites | 13.9 million |
As the table shows, the ham and cheese croissant is a top seller, surpassing even sales of popular sandwiches like the sausage sandwich. Its sales numbers are over 5 million more than the next closest competitor.
Reasons why Starbucks may discontinue food items
While there are currently no plans in the works to remove the ham and cheese croissant, Starbucks does occasionally retire food items. Here are some reasons why Starbucks may choose to discontinue a menu offering:
- Declining sales and lack of customer interest
- Ingredient costs becoming too high
- Food item requires too much time and labor to prepare
- Supplier issues or shortages with key ingredients
- Food does not meet internal quality standards
- New food innovation they want to add and need room for
- Changes in supplier relationships or contracts
However, none of these reasons seem to currently apply to the ham and cheese croissant. Sales remain strong and the simple classic recipe uses common ingredients that are likely not at risk of shortages or cost spikes. While Starbucks does frequently introduce new food options, they also retire lower performers rather than top sellers like the croissant.
Could the ham and cheese croissant be discontinued in the future?
Given its long history and consistent popularity, chances seem low in the near term that Starbucks would discontinue the ham and cheese croissant. The croissant sandwich has sustained customer interest and sales even as new limited-time food options have launched. And it fills an important role as a highly craveable savory pastry item on their menu.
However, it’s impossible to rule out Starbucks potentially retiring the ham and cheese croissant someday down the road. Foodservice is an industry that evolves constantly based on consumer tastes and trends. Starbucks revamps its menu offerings frequently, introducing new takes on sandwiches, bakery items, snacks, and more. So it’s imaginable that 5 or 10 years from now, Starbucks could opt to remove the ham and cheese croissant if sales declined and customers showed more interest in newer options.
For now though, the ham and cheese croissant remains a safe choice to order and enjoy when visiting Starbucks. Customers do not need to fear it disappearing from menus or coming to an end anytime in the immediate future based on what we know today.
Customer alternatives if discontinued in the future
In the hypothetical scenario that Starbucks did discontinue the ham and cheese croissant down the road, fans of the sandwich still have some alternative options to consider ordering instead:
Ham and Swiss Panini
This toasted panini sandwich also contains black forest ham and Swiss cheese like the croissant, along with butter. The flavors will be familiar but on flatbread bread instead of a croissant.
Bacon, Sausage, and Egg Breakfast Sandwiches
For a satisfying hot savory breakfast sandwich, customers could substitute one of Starbucks’ other meat breakfast sandwiches containing bacon, sausage, or plant-based meats.
Chicken Sausage and Cheddar Croissant
This limited-time offering features chicken sausage and cheddar cheese in a croissant, providing a similar feel and texture to the ham and cheese version.
Protein Bistro Boxes
Starbucks’ packaged bistro boxes offer pairings like hard boiled eggs, cheese, and fruit or nut butter for customers still seeking a protein-focused on-the-go breakfast.
How to order the Starbucks ham and cheese croissant
While the ham and cheese croissant remains safely on the menu for Starbucks customers to enjoy, here is a quick guide to ordering it during your next visit:
- Know that it may be listed as a “Ham & Swiss Croissant” on menu boards rather than “Ham and Cheese Croissant” depending on location.
- Be aware that some stores may be sold out or temporarily out of stock if supplies run low.
- Specify any customizations you would like such as toasted, added veggies, or sauce.
- Let the barista know if you would like it warmed up if ordering to go.
- Consider ordering ahead on the Starbucks app to save time or avoid missing out if low on availability.
- Pair it with a favorite Starbucks coffee or beverage to make it a complete meal.
Stay tuned to any official communications from Starbucks for future menu updates. But for now, customers can count on the ham and cheese croissant being available to order and enjoy at their local Starbucks café.
Conclusion
In summary, Starbucks currently still offers the popular ham and cheese croissant and has shared no plans to discontinue the menu item. Persistent customer interest, solid sales, and its classic flavors make it likely to remain a Starbucks breakfast staple. While it’s impossible to predict the future, Starbucks fans can continue to safely order and enjoy the ham and cheese croissant as a go-to morning meal.