Starbucks Enters Bundled-Lunch Arena

SEATTLE — Starbucks Corp. is now competing with fast-food and quick-service outlets for a piece of the lunchtime daypart by launching its limited-time $8 Power Lunch Deal. The combo includes a sandwich, salad or bistro box; popcorn, pretzels or chips; a banana or fruit bar; and a bottle of Ethos water, reported Business Insider.

The bundle is designed to attract consumers by offering savings of $3 or $4 compared to purchasing the items separately. It is available at participating Starbucks locations through May 30.

The chain's initiative is only the latest bundled deal debut. Bundles have been the hottest promotion in the world of fast food in 2016, according to the report.

Wendy's launched the bundle trend with a "four for $4" promotion in October 2015 that included a junior bacon cheeseburger, chicken nuggets, French fries and a drink.

McDonald's followed up with its McPick 2 menu, which it said helped drive a 5.4 percent increase in sales at U.S. restaurants that have been open for more than a year during the first quarter of 2016. It began testing a breakfast version of this deal in March and plans to add regional favorites to it starting May 24.

Finally, Burger King added a "five for $4" promotion days after McDonald's debuted the McPick 2. As a result of this deal and the launch of Grilled Dogs, sales at restaurants open more than a year rose 4.4 percent in the U.S. and Canada, said parent company Restaurant Brands International.

Although Starbucks' Power Lunch Deal is unlikely to have the same impact in driving sales, the fact a coffee chain is taking part in the trend indicates that bundled deals remain a force to be reckoned with, according to the report.