I bought the viral Starbucks bear cup after camping outside the store at 1 a.m. They only had 2 in stock.

I Bought the Viral Starbucks Bear Cup After Camping Outside the Store at 1 a.m.

Paden Ferguson and his partner secured the only two available Bearista cups at their local Starbucks. These viral cups feature a green beanie hat and straw, sparking a frenzy among customers excited to collect them. Fans expressed frustration over the limited stock.

Planning and Anticipation

In October, after seeing Starbucks’ announcement of new holiday drinks, desserts, and the holiday bear cup, Paden and his partner eagerly planned to get the cup on its launch day, November 6th. They initially thought it would be easy to buy the cup by simply walking into the store at noon.

Viral Buzz and Preparation

As the release date approached, social media buzz grew, revealing many others had the same plan. Paden and his partner decided to assess local demand by checking the stock at their busiest nearby Starbucks. On the evening before launch, they visited five local stores and learned from one barista that only seven cups were available at that particular store.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Paden Ferguson, CEO of Padiano's Kitchen. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Customer Reaction

Many customers were unhappy that so few Bearista cups were stocked, causing a scramble among collectors and fans on launch day.

Additional Information

Lauren Crosby Medlicott is the author who covers this story.
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Summary: Paden Ferguson’s experience highlights the high demand and limited availability of Starbucks' viral Bearista cup, reflecting how social media drives consumer urgency around limited-edition products.

Business Insider — 2025-11-06