Starbucks boosting prices on drinks, beans

Got three bucks? That and a nickel will buy you a coffee drink at Starbucks.

Starbucks Corp. said Thursday that it planned to raise prices of its lattes, cappuccinos, drip coffee and other drinks by 5 cents, or an average of 1.9 percent.

The increase, which goes into effect Oct. 3, will mark the first time the company has boosted drink prices in two years.

Starbucks also is increasing the price of its coffee beans by about 50 cents per pound, or an average of 3.9 percent. Starbucks isn’t increasing prices on the prepared drinks it sells in refrigerated cases.

The company decided to charge more because costs, including fuel and energy, are going up.