Is Starbucks the new Cafeteria for High Schoolers?

If you were given $10 and could go and spend it however you wanted to, what would you buy? According to the business insider, Starbucks is teenagers top preferred restaurant. It claims that food accounts for 23% of total teen spending. Clothing follows at 20%, and trailing at 7% is shoes.

In Long Beach, Starbucks, Gino’s, and and McDonald's are packed with students of all ages. Refreshing lattes and warm coffee in the mornings are critical for a long day at the high school. Especially in a small city such as Long Beach, going to get food is popular and worth it. It makes sense that it is the highest expense of teenagers.

Starbucks is one of the most popular restaurant scenes for high schoolers. Particularly in Long Beach, how often do you walk into Starbucks without bumping into somebody that you recognize? How about at Gino's? Spot someone that you know, and you may spend your whole afternoon hanging out with them. Do some “homework” (or try and break your procrastination time record), grab some refreshing drinks, and have a good time, sounds like an upgraded high school cafeteria and a great way to spend the day.

Although the fact is that teenagers tend to spend most of their money on food, there is more significance to it than just that. With that fresh mocha, McFries, or slice of pepperoni pizza, you also get an opportunity to spend time with people, meet new people, enjoy yourself, and satisfy your hunger. The social aspect cannot be represented in this simple percentage, but Starbucks and other restaurant spots in Long Beach are the advanced cafeteria, a place for teenagers to go and to have fun.

What could be more tempting than a fresh boston creme donut or a cold iced coffee from Starbucks? Clearly for high schoolers, not much. Food is the most popular way for teenagers to spend money and a brilliant way to enjoy yourself.