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Starbucks created a frenzy this week with the launch of its 2025 holiday menu, all thanks to a limited-edition collectible: the Bearista cup, which is shaped like a teddy bear and topped with a green beanie lid. The cup was an instant hit that left fans rushing to stores to grab one. Priced at $29.95 (approximately Rs 2,654), it sparked chaos almost immediately after its reveal on Instagram on November 5. Along with the Bearista cup, Starbucks also brought back fan favourites like Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulee Latte, Iced Sugar Cookie Latte and Iced Gingerbread Chai. While these drinks were a treat for regular customers, it was the collectible cup that caused real-life mayhem. Bearista Madness Breaks Out The videos captured the chaotic scenes. On X (formerly Twitter), compilations showed people lining up hours before opening, engaging in heated verbal spats and sometimes even jostling each other, all in hopes of securing a Bearista cup. In one video, a customer asked, “Why do I have to give away my cup?” Another voice responded, “Because she gave you the one that was reserved for some girl.” NEW: Starbucks releases apology after fights and arguments break out at various locations over their new Glass Starbucks Bearista cup. Starbucks fans are fuming and fighting over the company's new bear cup. One fight broke out in Houston and even made local news. "The… pic.twitter.com/TzG5tDbK8P — Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 7, 2025 In a separate clip, a woman at the counter said, “She cussed me out,” and another replied, “I did.” One more clip even shows a cup being thrown at someone else. Starbucks Bearista Cup hunt is getting real pic.twitter.com/sMovWtIDfe — Locke (@404Locke) November 6, 2025 In Harris County, Texas, law enforcement was reportedly called when customers started fighting inside a Starbucks and refused to leave, Fox Business reported. The dispute reportedly began over the Bearista cups. Fans Speak Out: ‘Just Wanted Cup, Not Chaos’ Customers also expressed their disappointment on social media. “I got up at 4 AM and drove to a location that specifically said it would have this cup. I was first in line, they didn’t have it. I drove to four more locations, none of them had it and said they never did. If you are going to excite people over this then make sure ALL stores have a supply. So many people are disappointed,” one user wrote under a Starbucks promotional video. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Starbucks (@starbucks) Another said, “Just wondering why they are hyping this up so much if apparently only 2 cups are available at each store.” “Dear Starbucks, maybe next time consider customer loyalty over artificial scarcity. Some of us just wanted the cup, not the chaos,” someone else remarked. “I got to my Starbucks at 5:02 AM & they were sold out. They just opened their doors at 5 AM. They only got 2 bears – WTF is that? I just went to 2 other Starbucks in a matter of 24 minutes from doors opening & they too were sold out. One of them only got 1 bear & the other had 2 bears. So, 3 Starbucks I went too & I got nothing. Ridiculous to only send you stores 1 or 2 bears!!!!!!!!!” said another customer. Starbucks Apologises Following the chaos, Starbucks issued an apology. “The excitement for our merchandise exceeded even our biggest expectations and, despite shipping more Bearista cups to coffeehouses than almost any other merchandise item this holiday season, the Bearista cup and some other items sold out fast. We understand many customers were excited about the Bearista cup and apologize for the disappointment this may have caused,” a Starbucks spokesperson told FOX Business. Bearista Hits The Resale Market The craze didn’t stop at stores. Within a day of release, several Bearista cups appeared on resale sites like eBay with some listed for up to $500 (around Rs 44,300), Yahoo News reported.
