Mobile order-and-pay available nationally at Starbucks

Starbucks says its mobile app that lets people order and pay in advance is now available nationally. That means lattes, breakfast sandwiches and other items you want could be waiting for you when you arrive.

Mobile order-and-pay is still rare, but could become more common as fast-food chains look to keep up with changing expectations. Taco Bell also introduced a mobile app last year that lets people order and pay in advance, and Wendy’s says it’s testing the option. If it works well, companies see such services and mobile apps in general as a way to build customer loyalty.

Starbucks introduced order-and-pay-ahead in Portland, Ore., late last year and has since expanded it to 3,400 of its more than 7,400 company-owned U.S. stores. This week, it rolled out the option to the remainder of locations.

Starbucks Chief Digital Officer Adam Brotman explains the basics:

How does the app work?

“You open your app, and in the upper right-hand corner, you’re going to be able to click on a new tab that says ‘Order.’ When you click ‘Order,’ you’ll be able to browse and send that order to whichever store you select.”

How long between order and pickup?

“Generally, it is around three to five minutes. It can vary on two different factors – what’s in your order, and how busy the store is.”

Anything you can’t order?

“You could order everything on the app that you could order in the store. If we run out of something, the app will reflect that. You can customize your order just the way you would in the store.”

This story was originally published September 23, 2015 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Mobile order-and-pay available nationally at Starbucks."