Ten-hour pay it forward coffee streak comes to an end with Florida 'Grinch'

A Florida man who ended a 10-hour pay it forward streak at a local Starbucks said he didn’t want to be “forced” to pay for the next customer at the drive-through.

Blogger Peter Schorsch drove to the Starbucks in St. Petersburg on Thursday after hearing about the incredible phenomenon that ended with him, the 458th customer.

But after he ordered two venti mocha frappuccinos, he told the the barista he did not want to pay for the next customer, ending the long-running streak.

“When the barista asks you to pay it forward, it is no longer spontaneous,” he told ABC News in the US.

“I’m really not trying to be a Grinch, I just don’t want to be forced into doing something.

“This is turning into a social phenomenon and I had to put an end to it.”

Mr Schorsch said customers were paying for the next person out of obligation and guilt, not generosity.

“This is turning into something ridiculous and cheesy,” he said.

The store’s pay it forward chain lasted for 10 hours on Wednesday, with 457 customers following the practice.