Starbucks Gossip

OPEN THREAD conversation-starter: "11 Things Starbucks Does Better Than Almost Any Competitor" (B.S.?...or true?)

This assessment comes from two Business Insider writers who worked briefly for Starbucks: They say:
* With two registers and a full staff, Starbucks can churn through 220 customers/hour
* Employees know the difference between a cappuccino and a latte * Starbucks never serves coffee that has been sitting for longer than 30 minutes * Select stores have the top-of-the-line single-brew Clover, which makes probably the best coffee you've ever tasted... ...and they go on and on in a piece that could have been written by the Starbucks PR department. (Watch for a lot of advertising to appear on BusinessInsider.com in the near future.) COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE, or discuss anything else Starbucks-related in the OPEN THREAD. || Read" 11 Things Starbucks Does Better..." || Jump to the second page of comments.

Starbucks net income up 33% in latest quarter

Starbucks said it earned $887.4 million for the quarter -- up from $666.7 million earned in the same quarter last year. Analysts were pleasantly surprised by the results: they expected earnings of 34 cents a share; Starbucks delivered 36 cents. || Read "Starbucks net income up 33% in the third quarter"

Man gets a year in jail for throwing scalding water at Starbucks worker

Dennis Christopher Lee, 58, was convicted of misdemeanor assault and battery after a two-day, judge-only trial in San Diego County Superior Court. The employee suffered second-degree burns on her neck and arms. Lee allegedly became enraged when, after giving him a free cup of hot water, the employee told him that the condiments were for paying customers only. The incident occurred on June 16 at a downtown San Diego Starbucks. || Read the story about the sentencing

Baristas put pressure on Starbucks as dispute in Chile continues

Employees who belong to the IWW Starbucks Workers Union kicked off a "global week of action" on Monday in solidarity with their Chilean colleagues by picketing in front of a Starbucks in New York City. The IWW baristas say union workers will be handing out flyers describing the Chilean situation outside Starbucks stores in Phoenix, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, London and Melbourne, Australia. The IWW is also planning to stage an event in Seattle this week, but won't yet disclose the nature of it. The paragraph below comes from an IWW press release.

Over 200 baristas and shift supervisors that work in the 32 Chilean Starbucks locations went on strike on July 7th. Their most crucial demand is earning a higher wage. Currently baristas at Starbucks in Chile make $2.50/hr. while the drinks are still sold for US prices, and they haven’t received raises in 8 years. The baristas are also asking for a lunch stipend in order to eat during their shifts, this is something managers in Chile are provided.

Here is what a Starbucks spokesman tells the Wall Street Journal:

"We feel very strongly that the benefits and compensation we offer our partners in Chile are above and beyond the industry norms. Our starting baristas' total compensation is 30% above the industry average; we offer company stock and cover 70% of their health care. The list of 25 things they're seeking, which includes a wedding bonus and a bonus for the birth of a child, are well outside the norm of standard business practices in Chile."

> "Starbucks Union Bosses in Chile on Hunger Strike" (Reuters)
> "Baristas rachet up pressure on Starbucks" (sub. req. for full story)
> Union declares Global Week of Action against Starbucks

OPEN THREAD conversation-starter: Starbucks lost a customer over *this*?

A label maker? Customer and former SBUX employee Jamison Combs is upset that his name isn't being handwritten on cups anymore. "So why do I care so much about names on cups?" writes Combs. "Without taking the time to connect with each customer (including writing names on cups), engaging in conversation, and creating a hospitable environment, Starbucks is nothing more than a glorified McDonalds." Discuss Combs' screed -- or anything else Starbucks-related. || Read "Why Starbucks Lost a Customer" || Jump to the second page of comments.

Starbucks recalls Bistro Boxes in Georgia and Alabama "due to potential health concerns"

A Starbucks suppliers based in Lawrenceville, Georgia is recalling about 200 pounds of ingredients for ready-to-eat chicken wraps and plates delivered to Starbucks stores in Georgia and Alabama due to potential health concerns. There have been no reports of illnesses associated with these Bistro Boxes. The products recalled were the Chipotle Chicken Wraps Bistro Box and the Chicken & Hummus Bistro Box. || Read "Starbucks' Response to Georgia Company Product Recall"

Did you get hit with a Treat Receipt Stampede?

During the last promotion, the Starbucks stores I frequented were always swamped at 2 p.m. For those visitors here who are unfamiliar with the deal: From July 18 through September 5, customers who make a cold beverage purchase in the morning can bring in their receipt after 2 p.m. and get any Grande cold beverage for $2 (plus tax). I'm a brewed/drip (whatever you call it) fan so I can't take advantage of this discount. || Read "Starbucks Invites Customers to Take a Summer Afternoon Break"

Starbucks sues South Dakota Network for using SDN

Starbucks sued after receiving letters from an attorney for South Dakota Network LLC demanding that the Seattle-based coffee giant stop its use of "SDN" to refer to Starbucks Digital Network. The two were involved in compromise discussions, but they fizzed. Read "Starbucks sues company in trademark dispute || More from GeekWire.com

Starbucks sued for not paying baristas for time spent learning the job

A San Jose law firm has filed a class-action lawsuit against Starbucks, alleging that the coffee chain failed to pay baristas for training time spent reviewing, memorizing and completing Starbucks' training materials.

Under California overtime laws, employers are required to pay employees overtime compensation for all hours worked in excess of eight hours in a single workday or forty hours in a workweek. The law requires California companies to pay hourly employees for all mandatory training time.

Discuss this lawsuit or anything else Starbucks-related in the OPEN THREAD.

Dinner at Starbucks isn't so bad, says food writer

Award-winning Chicago Tribune food writer Monica Eng says Starbucks "has moved firmly in to the restaurant biz" with the introduction of Bistro Boxes. She writes:

Maybe it's because we were sure these meals would taste like "healthy," last-resort fare meant to sit around in refrigerated case for days, but we were pleasantly surprised.

We especially liked the sesame noodles with their crunchy Japanese style peanuts and shockingly good baked tofu cubes. The lettuce wraps blend nubbily bits of chicken with peanut sauce and the brightness of fresh cilantro, cabbage and carrots.

She says the salumi and chipotle chicken plates "were also fine," and adds: "I hope I won't be in a position where I HAVE to eat dinner at Starbucks very often, but it's nice to know that I could--and not hate it." || Read "Starbucks offers fancy dinner and lunch entrees"