Starbucks Gossip

OPEN THREAD conversation-starter: Does VIA in supermarkets mean less pressure to peddle it in Starbucks stores?

The Wall Streeet Journal is reporting that "Starbucks is rolling out Via instant coffee to tens of thousands of supermarkets, mass merchandisers and other outlets in coming weeks." Your thoughts? Discuss this or anything else Starbucks-related in the OPEN THREAD. || Jump to the second page of comments.

Howard Schultz to write a book about Starbucks' "turnaround"

It's scheduled to come out next March. "My motivation [for writing the book] is to chronicle Starbucks transformation and how we confronted these challenges by reaffirming our core values and reinventing our company from the bottom up," says Howard Schultz. ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR THE TITLE? WHAT SHOULD HE INCLUDE IN THE BOOK? || Read "Howard Schultz to write second book || Read the publisher's press release

"Starbucks is on a mission to turn its Frappuccino into more than a pricey drink"

That's what USA Today says in a story that reports "sales of the Frappuccino brand have slid the past few years." Don't miss the comments attached to the USA Today piece. || Read "Starbucks gives Frappuccino new life for hot summer sales"

Starbucks pledges to reduce the salt in its breakfast sandwiches

Its bacon, gouda and egg frittata currently has 1,050 mg. of sodium. Starbucks isn't cutting back on the salt on its own initiative; it's doing it -- along with other companies -- at the request of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Read "Starbucks pledges to reduce salt in its breakfast sandwiches

Can Starbucks find a way to recycle 4 billion cups?

"Could Starbucks do more in their recycling efforts?" asks Lori Brown. "Probably. But let's not forget the role of consumers in the caffeine-addicted world of beverages." Start using personal cups, please! || TriplePundit.com: "Starbucks' Cup Summit was a fascinating case study with lots of academic talk about 'systems thinking,' but let's get serious: a company like Starbucks with so much power has huge potential to do better."

OPEN THREAD conversation-starter: Howard Schultz's options package is worth over $42 million. How are you doing?

Deep in this recent New York Times story, it says:

On Nov. 17, 2008, as Starbucks shares neared lows not seen since the beginning of the decade, Howard Schultz received options to buy 2.7 million shares at $8.64 as part of his 2009 compensation ...Thanks to more traffic in the stores and renewed earnings growth, shares of Starbucks have risen above $24 a share, making his options package worth $42.3 million.

Discuss the Starbucks CEO's windfall -- or anything else Starbucks-related in the weekend OPEN THREAD. || Jump to the second page of comments.

Starbucks' second-quarter profit rises more than eight-fold

Starbucks earned a better-than-expected $217.3 million, or 28 cents per share. It said a key performance measure -- sales in stores open at least a year -- climbed 7 percent in the U.S. for the second quarter. This was the fourth consecutive quarter that Starbucks' profit rose and the second that its revenue did. || Read "Starbucks' 2Q profit soars" || Starbucks' press release

Dept. of Excess: This Starbucks customer enjoyed three breakfast sandwiches

I believe they were sausage, egg and cheese sandwiches -- they serve that combo at Starbucks, right? -- and the guy enjoyed a pretty big drink, too. (That's over 1,500 calories, I'm guessing.) Is this man the King of Starbucks Breakfast Sandwiches, or do you have customers who'll eat four (or more) while sitting at your store? Feel free to share stories of food/drink excesses (and forward any snapshots you can take). [Click on the photo for a larger view.] || Jump to the second page of comments.

OPEN THREAD conversation-starter: Your thoughts about Starbucks 'blowing up the Frappuccino'

You can read a post about it here. Discuss this article -- or anything else Starbucks-related. Customers are invited to ask questions of the many baristas who read and post on this site. (Baristas are free to ask questions, too.) || Jump to the second page of comments.

How did the April 15 free-coffee-with-travel-mug day go for you?

Crowded stores? Appreciative (or not!) customers? Or just another day at work? Share your experience.