A TikTok creator who goes by the handle @hokage_stiz posted a video claiming that a pumpkin pie purchased from Starbucks appeared to be the same as one sold at Trader Joe’s. In the video, the creator said the only difference seemed to be the cookie on top. The video’s caption reads, “Starbucks got some splainingggg to do 🧐”.
The creator, identified as hokage_stiz, explained in the clip that they had gone to Starbucks that day and bought a pumpkin pie. “So I went to Starbucks today and I bought these little pumpkin pie things. Well, I bought one pumpkin pie, and then I went to Trader Joe’s right after,” the creator said in the video.
The video then shows a close-up of a box of Trader Joe’s “teeny tiny pumpkin pies.” The packaging appears to be light green with red lettering and illustrations of pumpkins and fall leaves. Text visible on the box reads “Trader Joe’s,” “teeny tiny PUMPKIN PIES,” “4 tiny pies,” and “NET WT. 8.18 OZ (232g).”
Creator compares the two pies side by side
In the clip, the creator holds up one of the Trader Joe’s pies, which appears to feature a swirl of pumpkin filling with a small, leaf-shaped cookie pressed into the center. The creator then questioned why the pies seemed so similar. “Why the f–k is it the same f–king pie? Why is it the same pie?” the creator asked in the video.
The creator appeared to hold the pie closer to the camera to show its appearance and suggested that others who had purchased the Starbucks version would agree. “This is the same, bro. Look, if you went to Starbucks and you got the pie, you know I’m not f–king lying,” the creator said in the video. The creator also showed the bottom of the pie, revealing its crust. Starbucks drinks themselves have drawn scrutiny on TikTok, as a Florida customer found a live cockroach in a strawberry acai drink.
The creator continued to emphasize the point, saying, “Hold on, hold on. This is the same pie. From Starbucks that I had this morning, except the little cookie on top was different. But bro, what the f–k?” The video ends with the creator holding the pie and appearing perplexed by the similarity between the two offerings.
Commenters weigh in on the claim
The video drew a range of responses in the comment section. Several commenters suggested that it was common knowledge that chains like Starbucks do not bake such items in-house. One commenter wrote, “No, I know you didn’t think they were actually baking those pies at Starbucks 😅”.
Another commenter appeared to suggest a possible explanation for the similarity between the two products. “Wait until you find out to different companies can use the same supplier,” the commenter wrote. A separate comment claimed to offer inside information from a Starbucks employee. “All the Starbucks stuff is ordered in and frozen all they do is microwave it to warm lol I was told that by a Starbucks employee when I asked to get the wrap without so much pesto smh,” the commenter wrote.
Other comments asked for more information or expressed interest in finding similar products. One commenter wrote, “can a starbucks worker tell me where they get them jalapeño pockets 😭👀” while another said, “Now find me the pecan one please.” Starbucks employees have also drawn scrutiny for how they treat customers, as one mother claims her crying autistic son was refused service.
One commenter also referenced a separate claim about the design of the pies, writing, “And there’s a lady on here showing how she made these first and they copied her style.”
Neither Starbucks nor Trader Joe’s responded to the claims in the video, and the creator did not appear to provide additional evidence beyond the visual comparison shown in the clip.
