"What we're rolling out now is just the beginning," says Kathleen Kennedy, the coffee chain’s recently hired director for food research and development. To serve warm food, Starbucks has made a huge investment in new high-speed, high-heat ovens. (A Starbucks employee complained to me today about how loud they are.) How are the oven-heated breakfast sandwiches? In samples from around New York City last week, both the Starbucks sandwiches and Egg McMuffins "offered the virtues of any good egg sandwich: the salty, savory contrast of soft egg, molten cheese and chewy bread," says a New York Times reporter. "Both the ham and the sausage patty at Starbucks were meatier and less greasy than the meats at McDonald’s, and there was surprisingly little difference in the taste of the eggs — both had almost no flavor. As the Starbucks sandwiches cooled, the texture changed noticeably (as is often the case with microwaved sandwiches), leaving tough bread and bacon, rubbery cheese and spongy egg." (New York Times)
January 10, 2007
Belltown, I thought a couple prices were listed in the Times article when I read it a couple days ago. I reviewed it, and didn't find prices listed. McD's is the cheaper of the two (on so many fronts), though. If anyone can correct me/be more specific, that's cool. :)
I don't get food at either Starbucks (other than cranberry bliss bars), or McD's, so I'm probably the last person who should comment on the food in any way, shape, or form.
Posted by: HopkinsBella | January 12, 2007 at 09:23 AM
"Unwrap, put in oven, press button, take out when oven beeps. If this is a nightmare you need to find new employment. It really isnt bad."
In theory what you say is correct however when there is a line to the door for three hours and one person, usually the floater is tied up only making sandwiches you have lost speed in customer service. When it is slow and only two people are working, it becomes very in convenient to use the oven. Most stores just place the oven where there is room not where they placement is efficient.
After the first two weeks the oven is in the store there is no extra labor associated with it.
Posted by: June | January 12, 2007 at 09:56 AM
We start on Jan. 30th. I hate them & the fact that now we have to stay open later just to wait for these machines to cool down to clean them. This is rediculous. And they don't even taste good. :P
Posted by: | January 12, 2007 at 10:51 AM
I do not understand why you need to stay open longer, you turn the oven off one hour before closing.
Posted by: June | January 12, 2007 at 11:46 AM
But what if a customer comes in within that said hour and wants a sandwich after you turn the oven off?
Posted by: Bariesta | January 12, 2007 at 12:17 PM
They do not get one. The breakfast sandwiches are not supposed to be in the pastry case at that time.
Posted by: June | January 12, 2007 at 12:30 PM
Quoted for emphasis:
Starbucks brand is a premium...
McDonalds brand is not a premium....
Chasing after McD's is going to cheapen the brand.
Agreed.
Posted by: fiat lux | January 12, 2007 at 12:55 PM
I alway go in to a store by my house and get a cookie warmed in the oven, they always still have it on and I usually go in 15-20 minutes before they close.
Posted by: | January 12, 2007 at 01:39 PM
Just out of curiousity why do you wait until they are almost closed?
Posted by: Bariesta | January 12, 2007 at 03:42 PM
Bariesta, Same reason people come into the store five minutes from closing and order twenty-five venti carmel fraps.
Posted by: June | January 12, 2007 at 05:50 PM
Customers have been requesting a savory breakfast option from Starbucks for years... and aparently bagels + cream cheese weren't cutting it for them. So Starbucks finally got something to fill that need. Don't like em? Don't buy em. If they don't sell, they won't stay. But I have a feeling the ovens are there for good, too many people love heating up the pastries.
Posted by: KLA | January 12, 2007 at 10:32 PM
Wow, I can't believe the attitude here. I said I go in about 15-20 minutes before close (that's REALLY 25-30 minutes before close, I know, the staff told me about that rule) and get a cookie and I get hassled on here? I go when I do because I try to wait as long as I can becaused the store closes so early (11pm on week nights and midnight on weekends). They usually turn the oven off at 10 til. Starbucks needs to realize that this is a 24 hour world and not close so early!
Posted by: | January 13, 2007 at 10:13 AM
so some cheap fast food chain takes a stab at starbucks and claims there mudwater "in sizes you can pronounce" (from there instore marketing) is better than our coffee. lets destroy the "third place" and make all starbucks stores smell like a fast food joint insead of an italian coffee house. hey what a great idea... Jim (Mc)Donald.
Hey i have an Idea lets take the Bean menu board down and replace it with our 99 cent value menu......
everyone should take the comment cards found at you store and send them in. this is not the starbucks i joined 5 years ago. i am ashamed to be called a "partner"
Posted by: disenchanted5yearBarista | January 13, 2007 at 02:49 PM
Oven goes off one hour before store closing, when ever that is. "Above" if you want a 24 hour Starbucks go to one, not all communities are "so enlightened" that they need a warm cookie in the middle of the night.
Posted by: June | January 13, 2007 at 05:33 PM
They have started to install the warming ovens in alot of the stores in Boston for their rollout at the end of this month for Winter Phase 2.
On a side story, my friend was in NYC and was able to receive his grand non-fat no-whip white mocha in one minute ten seconds along with his breakfast sandwich at the same time. Pretty good if you ask me. He was the only person in the store at the time so it would've been an excellent snapshot because I was on the telephone and the friendliness of the partner came through.
I have found that actually the Starbucks in NYC are probably some of the friendliest I have ever been in. It is a very warm and inviting place, even if I am drunk at 4 AM in the morning I can still get my VCDNWCCH.
Anybody guess what that drink order is?
Posted by: Boston Starbucks Rebel | January 13, 2007 at 07:29 PM
venti cinnamon dolce with whip cream chai tea latte
Posted by: DT | January 13, 2007 at 08:41 PM
Be open 24 hours!!! Are you serious? Guess what we are open 15 hours a day if you can't find time to come in you're shit out of luck. You need to realize we are people not robots here to do your bidding we have things to do other then be at work just in case you want a cookie at 2 am. You want to go somewhere 24 hours a day try the hospital because you definately have to have your head checked out.
Oh and by the way we have a lot to do at night how about thinking about the staff for once and go in earlier so they can get their stuff done and GO HOME, you know that place you like to go to after a long day at work.... yeah we have those things too.
Posted by: Bariesta | January 13, 2007 at 11:26 PM
Wow, Bariesta, you have a really bad attitude. How dare I go in to a business during posted business hours? I really like the staff at this store and already am nice enough to not come in right before closing time. I know the rules you guys play by, and I know that I am coming in 25-30 minutes before you can lock the door. I would absolutely love if I could just stop doing my job an hour before I go home like you seem to want to, but guess what, IT'S YOUR JOB. Maybe YOU should have YOUR head checked out. Starbucks has an opportunity to build business in my area, but they all close so early, they may want to explore the 24 hour option. Plenty of people work at 24 hour places and manage to have lives outside the shifts they are scheduled.
Posted by: | January 14, 2007 at 10:25 AM
Jan, what a prissy customer you are. We follow procedures. Ovens go off one hour before closing when ever that is. If you think just because the oven is off we have stopped working you are either an imbecile or have no clue as to what it takes to go through closing procedures at a retail store, We stay for at least an hour after the doors are locked. So get off your high horse. Denny's is open 24 hours why not try there.
Posted by: Summer | January 14, 2007 at 02:06 PM
Belltown, sandwich prices (as of 1:30 this afternoon at the Sbux on York Road in Timonium, MD) were $2.95.
I actually bothered to look. :)
Posted by: HopkinsBella | January 14, 2007 at 02:48 PM
Obviously reading isn't a strong character trait you possess so let me try this once again: Just because we lock the doors doesn't mean we are going home right then you stupid failed abortion. We have a lot of things to do in order to leave, which is about a hour after closing. TONS of dishes, espresso machines to close down and cleaning (among other things like make fraps etc etc). I can't speak for other stores but most days we start this long process around 6, sometimes earlier, and get done around the time we're supposed to (unless people like yourself come in constantly). My personal rule of thumb is I don't go into a store within a hour of it's closing time because I know those people have shit to do, it's called being curtious. Now I understand that some people get out of work later so my advice is go when you can EARLIER in the day. If you're so passionate about being open 24 hours you work a job like that, don't expect everyone else to.
Posted by: Bariesta | January 14, 2007 at 08:19 PM
Bariesta, those are the realities of retail, regarding starting clean-up long before closing. Calm down, btw. It's just "teh intarwebs."
Posted by: HopkinsBella | January 15, 2007 at 01:57 PM
DT>> You forgot the non-fat milk! What is the Dolce bit? We don't have it here.
Anonymous poster>> You should consider youself lucky! My store closes at 6:30pm, and the latest closes at 9pm. 24 hour stores anywhere outside of an airport would be useless here in England as we all like to be tucked up in bed with our teddies.
Bariesta>> We start our closing procedure around 2pm if it's quiet. But only because we're lazy and like to get all the hard work out of the way. These oven do sound like a pain in the bum, so only a matter of time before we get them here then :)
Posted by: MartUK | January 15, 2007 at 04:12 PM
P.S. Hello from England again!
Posted by: MartUK | January 15, 2007 at 04:13 PM
Well I an say that I welcome any customer in my store up to the point when I lock the doors. This is why they are called "BUSINESS HOURS" The fact is that you get paid to be there till you punch out. If you didnt get paid after you locked the doors that would be one thing. If you dont like closing so much....WORK A DIFERENT SHIFT. Bariesta you keep amazing me with your train of thought. More like a train wreck. You are a moron...PERIOD, END OF STORY.
Posted by: | January 15, 2007 at 05:38 PM
I have had all of the sandwiches, the chick apple sausage is completely unedible, it's texture is SICK, and then there is the taste, even worse. The others all taste great on the outer part that actually get the oven, but the inside is a different story. The bacon or whatever is on it doesn't get the same lovely treatment so it is kinda mushy/slimey, just not right. And if you are not the one eating it....it is NOT what you want to smell, as someone else stated it does STINK! Starbucks needs to stick to coffee and highly fattening and sugary pasteries and leave the terrible fast food to the other guys. Just my 2 cents
Posted by: Angie | January 15, 2007 at 06:18 PM
I chose to work at Starbucks because we don't have to deal with the greasy, nauseating smell of fast food.
I truly hope we don't get these in my region.
Posted by: | January 15, 2007 at 07:03 PM
Hey you are entitled to your opinion that's fine. But why can't you answer a simple question? Why don't you go in earlier so the staff and get their stuff done and go home as soon as possible? Am i asking too much of you to be able to do that?
Posted by: Bariesta | January 15, 2007 at 08:15 PM
No BARIESTA you are not asking to much.
Posted by: June | January 15, 2007 at 08:25 PM
HOLY CRAP....YES IT IS ASKING TO MUCH!!
FFS..You are open for said hours...To ask your customers to not come in during the last hour of business IS ABSOLUTELY INSANE!!!! Maybe you should petition Satrbucks to close earlier you you can go home earlier...but then you will still ask them to not come in during the lst hour. WHERE DOES IT FRICKING END?
Suck it up BARIESTA!!! Poor you decided to take the job...NOW RESPECT WHAT IT INTAILS....Customers have every right to come in 5-10 minutes b4 closing to get something. ITS CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE!! You people fucking amaze me...
Posted by: BaristaBob | January 15, 2007 at 10:11 PM
Apologies for typos...
Posted by: BaristaBob | January 15, 2007 at 10:13 PM
a logical thing for your store to do is to have the openers clean out the oven, if it's too hot for the closers to do staying open 10 mins past posted time (and trying to be the best at all hours, instead of just when it's convenient for you)...
and while i won't resort to name calling, bariesta - i do believe that you are totally in the wrong.
and furthermore you seem to have no concept of what we're about - it's not about getting you out early (hello - you get paid), or about thinking that customers not get the same service at 10p as they do at 2p or 7a;
i hope you submit your pink slip soon - or someone will do it for you.
Posted by: | January 15, 2007 at 10:48 PM
It takes about an hour to warm the oven. Openers are able to open the store only 45 minutes before opening time. So under the best of circumstances the oven is not even usable until after the store opens by a least 15 minutes. Of course we would like to give service the same from opening and closing - so how about talking to corporate for us about how we are not supposed to take more than 45 minutes to clean and prepare for the next day after the doors are locked.
Posted by: June | January 15, 2007 at 11:21 PM
Pink slip huh, people like you are the reason i'm pro-choice. Contrary to popular belief here i'm a excellent worker and everyone i work with knows this.
I'll say this again I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT GOING HOME EARLY, i'm talking about getting out ON TIME. Also, i'm not talking about customer service i'm talking about STAFF CONSIDERATION.I'm not advocating bad customer service but that said customer service takes time i could be using to get myself and everyone else home to their families and lives sooner. I'm not just thinking about myself but for everyone that has to close with me (and anyone that reads what i'm saying and agrees with me).
You say the things you do because you're thinking only about yourself while i'm thinking about myself and all the other people i have to work with so tell me who's being the selfish one here?
Posted by: Bariesta | January 15, 2007 at 11:27 PM
Think about other people for a change is that too much for you to grasp?
Oh Bob once again a dictonary wouldn't be a bad investment for you. Just a thought.
Posted by: Bariesta | January 15, 2007 at 11:43 PM
BaristaBob -- Watch your language. There's no need to f-bomb us. I've deleted your post.
Posted by: STARBUCKS GOSSIP webmaster | January 16, 2007 at 08:47 AM
Ok sorry bout the foul language. But is this guy serious. Im just a lil peeved. So i mispelled a few words here and there. I really could care less. Intelligent people do it all the time. What intelligent people dont do is completley disregard LOGIC. Bariesta...you really have no clue how ridiculous you sound when you ask people not to come in during your business hours just so you can get out of work early. Leaving at closing time is NOT leaving on time. Leaving when you have completed all your tasks after performing your duties as a retailer is. Maybe you guys need to find a way to effectivly use your time at work. Effenciency could be your problem. But that doesnt surprise me. Hey why dont you point out all the mispelled words in my comment here....LMAO
Posted by: | January 16, 2007 at 08:53 AM
OK sounds like fun... not bout it's about, Im is really I'm (as in i am), lil is little, you could care less should of been couldn't care less (meaning it's impossible that any less care could be applied), dont should of been don't, effectivly is really effectively, Effenciency is efficiency, doesnt is doesn't.
What have i ever said that implies that i want to get out of work early? All i'm saying is that i like to get out of work on time, not early or late, but ON TIME yes after the store is ready for the morning crew. Simple concept to grasp i think... but then i also know how to spell...
Posted by: Bariesta | January 16, 2007 at 12:32 PM
You are a great at spelling. But how about going back and reviewing your puncutation. Mr smarty pants. And what in your mind is on time? Sounds to me like you guys don't know how to make proper use of your time. The fact of the matter is that customers have every right to come in up untill the point when the door gets locked. Why do you think corporate has us wait 10 minutes after posted business hours to lock the door. It is becuase we are giving the customers a grace period to come in and enjoy our services. Sounds to me like you are working for the wrong company. Or perhaps you are letting out your frustration on a patron vs. voicing your opninion to the powers that be. Kudos on your excellent job at correcting my spelling errors. And btw effeciency was a typo. My phonetics are not that bad buddy. I hope you are a student working at Starbucks and that this is not a career that you are considering. I myself am saving money while waiting to move to a different state so I can be with my fiance and buy a house. My plans are to open up a sucsessful auto shop where I can put my wealth of automotive knowledge combined with my increadible sense of customer service to use. But hey, go around acting like a pompous fool your whole life and see where it gets you Mr Bariesta...btw what the hell is Bariesta anyways?
Posted by: BaristaBob | January 16, 2007 at 01:09 PM
TO BRING THINGS BACK ON TOPIC:
I actually had a breakfast sandwich this morning: the black forest ham. It was better than McDonalds. But after the pancetta/green bean sautee I made last night (other bacon-y alotment for the week), the sandwich wasn't anything I'm going to go out of my way to eat. If I have another informal meeting at Sbucks in the morning, I'll try another one. But if my SO and I are up and about by 8 a.m. this weekend, I will not be saying "oh hey, you've got to try this thing." The sandwich was OK, but not excitement-worthy.
Posted by: HopkinsBella | January 16, 2007 at 01:34 PM
Who wants to go back to the topic? I'm having too much fun with the one we created.
First off I want to say good luck to you and your fiance and I hope you do well with your business. Please don't take this as sarcasm because i really do mean it.
Secondly, I was a English major so that's why spelling errors drive me nuts. As for my name on here that was on purpose.
Thirdly, no i'm not considering Starbucks to be my permanent place of employment. I just like you want to move out west and get to work on my real career. Starbucks is just a job.
I don't agree with the ten minute rule. Like I said if you can't find the time in the 15 hours we are open to get whatever you are S.O.L. Buy a bag of whatever coffee you like and make it at home. Pastries can be bought anywhere (that taste better I might add).
I understand that customers are welcome until we lock the door. The beef i'm making is the customer waits until the last second to come in and I find that rude.
Look it's simple all I'm saying is that i like to get out on time (when everything is made and ready for the morning crew). Is that so bad? Am i really asking too much on this? Because unless you work 15 hour days you have time to come in and purchase whatever you want. Now if you want to say some people are busy and have other things to do then guess what they aren't the only ones, which is why i like to get out on time. Checkmate.
Posted by: Bariesta | January 16, 2007 at 02:20 PM
Well thank you for your kind words. But even if you got rid of the 10 minute rule you would still have problems with folks who come in at the end of our business day.
For an English major your grammar is a bit on the weak side as well. Check out your use of puncuation and sentence structure.
Posted by: BaristaBob | January 16, 2007 at 02:38 PM
Let's knock off the grammar police stuff and stay on topic.
Posted by: STARBUCKS GOSSIP webmaster | January 16, 2007 at 02:52 PM
I thought they would be gross and turn us into DD but I was wrong. They are quite delicious!
Posted by: Boston Starbucks Rebel | January 16, 2007 at 03:11 PM
Alright fine grammer aside (my weak point i will admit) i think that the sandwiches are a bad idea. Hey i'll admit I might be wrong since i've never had one yet, but it just seems that if Starbucks wants to evolve why not do it in the coffee category? That's how we make our money. People on here have told us to stay on topic, which is what Starbucks should do stay on topic and go back to what they know, COFFEE.
Posted by: Bariesta | January 16, 2007 at 03:25 PM
Ok...here it is. Starbucks listens to their customers. They did research on what their customers wanted. And obviosly enough of them wanted to be able to have these nice warm breakfast sandwiches available to them. Should 1/2 of the automotive companies stuck with what they did before making automobiles then we wouldn't have so many awesome cars at our disposal. For Starbucks to branch out in the industry is only natural. Some of the greatest cafe's out there serve more than just coffee. Whether or not the sandwiches are here for the long run, I can almost gaurantee that the ovens are. And who is "they". You say Starbucks should go back to what "they" know. The original Starbucks has long been swallowed up by corporate moguls that are only interested in one thing. And that is the almighty dollar. Yes Starbucks provides great (some may say decent, including me)coffee. But the fact remains that our coffee is MUCH better than any gas station, or fast food establishment that you can visit. They do a good job with it, and there is no arguing it. For god sake they revolutionized the accessibility
of great coffee to the masses. What is the next step. How should they concentrate on it more?
Anyways....the sandwiches are good. The ovens do tend to over cook them however. And yes the smell is not the greatest in the world. But the fact is that they are here, and we have to deal with them.
Posted by: BaristaBob | January 16, 2007 at 04:29 PM
One of the things ive loved about working at starbucks is NOT having to handle meat. I've been a life-long vegitarean. Never eaten meat- ever. Worked in a pizza place once and it was hell for me. The smell of meat just makes me want to puke. Eugh. I'm not looking forward to our ovens coming in.
Also- what are stores doing regarding foodsafe? Are these sandwiches in the pastry case, along with other things? How can you avoid cross contamination???
Posted by: ShiftInTrainaing | January 27, 2007 at 11:18 PM
It has been quite an interesting read, this thread. For all the Starbucks partners who have commented on this post, speak up on behalf of your fellow partners and our customer-base (who, by the way, pay all of our wages).
Use the Mission Review process to voice your concerns at the Corporate Level, where things can be addressed. Starbucks, like any other individual or company, will make decisions that do not always yield the types of returns that were planned. So, let's be responsible to our employer, our fellow partners, and our patrons.
For those who aren't Starbucks partners, voice your concerns to a barista at your local Starbucks or contact Starbucks Customer Relations group at 1-800-23-LATTE. As was aforementioned, Starbucks listens.
By the way, I haven't had any breakfast sandwiches, but the toasted Italian Grinder (in the Seattle market) is DELISH!
Posted by: non-retail partner | January 29, 2007 at 06:42 AM
Starbucks breakfast sandwiches are the worst things I have ever had!!!!
McDonalds or any other fast food joint is ten times better. They should stick to tea and coffee!!!
The sandwiches are really...really...bad!
Posted by: richard | March 15, 2008 at 08:40 PM
___________________________________
Yes, we have a strong base of loyal customers, but if we're going to keep growing they're not enough..
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Isn't a Starbucks every block in every city in the world and every 2 blocks in the suburbs enough?
Posted by: steve | April 21, 2008 at 08:51 PM