Starbucks Gossip

Crack open a beer and get the Memorial Day Weekend OPEN THREAD going!

Posting while drunk? No crime in that, I guess. The OPEN THREAD is your chance to bring up anything -- questions, comments, whatever -- that's Starbucks-related. || Jump to the third page of comments.

Report: Starbucks "staffing crisis" at the Store Manager level in the DC area

A Starbucks Gossip reader writes: "Apparently there is such a staffing crisis at the SM (Store Manager) level in the DC area that several SMs in the Mid-Atlantic are being recruited to travel down to DC, all expenses paid, for a period of two months to help run the stores until ASMs and RMTs are ready to assume those positions. One of the SMs I know is going." Anyone know about this alleged "crisis" and what's behind the staff shortage?

Nutty Starbucks customer threatens to blow up the store

File this under DIFFICULT (MENTALLY ILL?) CUSTOMERS: The woman started out trying to buy VIA, a $25 gift card and a mug, and ended up telling employees: "Don’t move that or the building will explode." An evacuation followed. Read "Woman jailed in threat at Starbucks"

"The challenge to Starbucks is what is Seattle's Best brand going to stand for really"

"Is it just coffee that isn't quite as good as Starbucks?" asks business school professor Tim Calkins. "The more overlap between the brands, the more cannibalization and customer confusion." How do Starbucks employees view Seattle's Best stores? Like friendly cousins? Or hated siblings? || Read "Is Starbucks' Seattle's Best brand the next Old Navy?"

You'll feel better after spouting off on the weekend OPEN THREAD

Just keep your rants somewhat civil. The Starbucks Gossip OPEN THREAD is your opportunity to ask questions or comment on anything Starbucks-related. Let's get the chatter going! || Jump to the second page of comments.

Do Starbucks employees know about the discount for Foursquare "mayors"?

Starbucks Gossip reader Michael Sauers writes: "Just went to the O St Starbucks in Lincoln, Nebraska, of which I'm the Foursquare mayor to get my $1 off a Frappuccino. I got the discount but the staff knew nothing about it. I'm wondering if others are having the same response." || Your STARBUCKS GOSSIP webmaster is also the Foursquare "mayor" at a few Starbucks stores (and one Peet's store), and the manager of the downtown Evanston store (Jose) knows about the discount. (He told me about it just minutes after I learned of the deal via Foursquare.)
> The mayor of Starbucks... or just your average coffee addict

Starbucks hires E&J Gallo Winery exec to head its consumer products group

Don't panic -- I don't see Starbucks Sparkling Wine showing up on store shelves, at least anytime soon. Jeff Hansberry will report to Howard Schultz. Read "Starbucks names new consumer products president" || Read the press release

Starbucks to sell three kinds of flavored coffees in grocery stores

Starbucks ground coffee in vanilla, caramel and cinnamon flavors will show up in stores starting in June. "You can imagine that for a lot of coffee snobs, the thought of flavored coffee was a little challenging," says Tom Jones, Starbucks' director of beverage research and development. || Read "Starbucks to launch flavored coffee at grocers" || Read the press release || Jump to the second page of comments.

Discuss "Frappy Hour" or anything else Starbucks-related in the weekend OPEN THREAD

Drinks, customers, store policies and even Starbucks Popcorn -- they're all up for discussion on the weekend OPEN THREAD. Let's get the chatter going. || Jump to the second page of comments.

Starbucks to sell its Seattle's Best Coffee in vending machines

"Vending-machine coffee has long been regarded as a last resort, often found in factory cafeterias miles from the nearest fresh brew," notes the author of this story. "But Seattle's Best engineers have developed a coffee-making machine that Starbucks predicts will improve that image." Read "Starbucks to roll out second brand" || "Seattle's Best gets new logo and is expanding"