New Orleans is thrilled to be hosting Starbucks' leadership conference

The 10,000-attendee meeting in late October represents a major coup for the New Orleans convention business. "This is the largest short-term corporate meeting that the bureau has ever booked in its history," says Stephen Perry, president of the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau. The general manager of the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel adds: "Starbucks is going to be a really big deal for us. It's helping the fourth quarter, which looked pretty soft." (Read the New Orleans Times-Picayune story)

Comments

[Jon SBUXforum]

Definitely fits in with the whole "doing good" thing, but does SBUX really even have that big of a presence there? When I went to visit I don't remember seeing any stores at all - Cafe Du Monde is awesome.

[P.R.I.D.E.]

jon, it might help if you read the article- when I did, I learned we have 9 locations within the city of New Orleans.

I think this is a smart move for Sbux- I hope we'll get the chance to roll up our sleeves and put our principles into action. I know there are areas that could benefit from a workforce of 10,000.

[espressoblend]

How can this company afford to ferry 10,000 employees to New Orleans? I mean, this company is sinking fast!

I'd suggest that they use those over-priced television displays they use to show what's playing as a conference tool. I mean, that way they can have a very simple teleconference and it wouldn't be costing the investors serious cash to set up all 10,000 undeserving employees in hotels and pay for meeting rooms, speakers, etc.

This is, once again, a blatant misuse of the company's cash. Companies every day connect their workforce in meetings, even when they're across the country, via things like telephones instead of having face-to-face conversations.

When this company makes some profit that can be passed on to the investors, then it can pay the multi-million fees involved with hosting this event.

It's almost a slap in the face of investors for obvious reasons and for customers in indirect ways. The cost of milk, etc. is going up, and with that, prices will, too. Why make the customers pay even more when operational expenses like this are passed on to customers in the way of raised prices?

It's like a really rich man walking around a slum: it's ludicrous, audacious and extremely inappropriate.

I certainly hope Nelson Peltz is paying attention.

PS: This company claims they want to be "green!?" Flying 10,000 people sure creates a huge carbon footprint.

[SoCalRocks!]

Espressoblend, I appreciate your skepticism, but this is the Starbucks that I know and love. Profit comes second to it's people. We can't continue down this path that I've seen taken this last 12 months, where every single decision is purely based on profit. That is not who we were, and I hope it's not who we are.

Think about the return on the investment of each and every store manager 1)hearing the same message and 2) returning to their stores to build upon that message. We have to look at the big picture, and I worry that Nelson Peltz and others will keep us operating in fear. It has to stop.

We used to set up the totem pole like this:
Partners 1st=happy customers and pocketbooks=satisfied investors.

I've seen a slight digression in this past year, worrying WAY too much about your investor base, potentially bumping them to the top of the totem pole. That is not Starbucks. Nor will this approach continue to attract top talent.

Heck, I'm an investor as well, so don't think I'm disillusioned. But I know that in order for our company to really succeed, our partners need to be enthusiastically satisfied again. It is obvious in our stores, that we need to become enthusaistically satisfied again. Our customers will notice. And our investors will notice.

I don't want to be like every other company who teleconferences and loses the human connection. PLUS, think about the good that we can do for the city of New Orleans. It's a win win in my mind.

[Darleen]

I mean, that way they can have a very simple teleconference and it wouldn't be costing the investors serious cash to set up all 10,000 undeserving employees in hotels and pay for meeting rooms, speakers, etc.

Espressoblend,
How dare you! How dare you say that the partners going to this are UNDESERVING? You have pushed my buttons for the last time and now I'm coming out with guns blazing. You are a pompous ass, who does nothing all day but get online and belittle people here. I hope when Karma comes around it bitch slaps you so hard that maybe, just maybe some sense will finally find it's way to your little pea sized brain. You are a little little man with nothing better to do than put people down. Sickening!!!

[Darleen]

Wow, sorry guys! I get so heated when I see these nasty posts by espressoblend, thinking he's better than everyone else. If I offended anyone other than espressoblend I apologize. How dare this person that doesn't know me from ADAM say that I am UNDESERVING of this conference. It's attitudes like this that make me lose my faith in humanity. That people can be this rude and ignorant is beyond me. You really need to crawl back under the rock you crawled out from and stop your nasty tirades. Enough is enough.

[Northern Latte]

I doubt Espresso Blend is a partner....if you're a partner and you've ever been to a leadership conference you know what I'm talking about when I say we come back charged up! ready to lead our teams into battle! ready to take the looming recession by the horns!...Sometimes after reading negative after negative newspaper article, blog, listening to customers and shareholders, and news and all the other negative opinions being poured on me about our great company I start to get a little down but then anything the company does something to keep that human connection with events like open forum to the leadership conference it's like it ignites a flame under us all again...this conference is worth every cent spent and I'm telling you stop in to your local Starbucks on Nov 1st after the managers return from New Orleans and ask them how it was and watch the passion light up in their eyes!

[WAShift]

I am close to being an ASM and have spoken with a number of managers in my district and the district next to mine and they all are very excited about getting a chance to participate. Things I have heard are that they get a chance to meet others from throughout the country as well as give something back to New Orleans.

As for you EspressoBlend, do us all a favor. Stop coming to Starbucks and go visit a Tully's since you really don't seem to enjoy Starbucks.

[Hayley]

I think it's wonderful that you are going on this trip. I work for FedEx and we do a leadership conference like this every year as well, it's been in Dallas the past few years, with gigantic attendance. It is such a mental boost, a great way to meet people and reconnect with what you do every day and bring that forward. I think it is important that Starbucks puts it people first, because nothing happens...no profits, no return customers, unless you give them a reason to be at your store. The enthusiasm and care in what you do is what is going to increase profits, and a conference is the best way to instill that enthusiasm.
Have fun!

[cupajoe]

It isn't just the excitement that keeps customers coming back to Starbucks. It is the product. The product is slipping. Management way above the store level and the district level, is making mistakes that is sending the company in the wrong direction. How does sending 10,000 partners to New Orleans on the shareholders dime help upper management make better decisions.

I do not doubt the troops are working their butt off. I think each and every employee is very dedicated and professional about their job. I am in Seattle and visit different Starbucks approximately 25 times a month and I see nothing but greatness. I don't think that is what the issue is. The issue is about the direction upper management is taking the company. Therefore the stock price has suffered. You may not think the share price should be an important issue, but if it keeps dropping from bad decisions, Nelson Peltz is going to pounce, thats just the way it is.

I'm glad to see the share price up in the last few days.

[Melody]

I wish I could go. I could take the time off. I can buy a ticket. But could I sneak in? Will someone sneak me in? Do I have to wear a green apron to get in the door? ;)

[anasm]

I REALLY hope I'm in an SM position by then.

[ZoneOfficePartner]

Trust me Anasm, I think even my fellow zone office partners wish we could attend too! But we understand that this is for field leadership. We hope you have fun and take away great memories...

[Tea]

Espresso Blend,

If you knew anything (and you don't) you would know that this company is not sinking fast. You're stupid and thats fine, but please don't pretend to know something when you don't. I hope that you don't manage people because I would feel very sorry for them, and I bet you have no idea what its like to work for a fortune 500 company or what makes them fortune 500 material. I, on the other hand, have had the privilege of working for two of them Starbucks included and I can say that it is the high regard that they have for their employees that contribute to them being fortune 500. Go crawl under your rock and try to not be so ignorant.

[CaptKirk]

Fellow Starbuckians,

I am thrilled that your annual leadership conference will be held in New Orleans. I can assure you that our hospitality industry, resident starbuckians and life long New Orleanians will greet all of you with gracious southern hospitality. We understand the importance of this meeting, your history of humble beginnings, where you are today and the exciting future of the Starbucks coffee culture in American history. We look forward to sharing a soulful experience that will enhance your commitment to your brand, partners and family.

God bless Starbucks!

Expect the best - respect the rest,

Capt Kirk
New Orleans resident

[Darleen]

Capt. Kirk,
Thank you so very much for the kind words and the warm welcome! It truly will be a wonderful time had by all.

Melody,
It would be awesome if they let customers engage in some of the activities, you have so much passion for this company, I'd sneak you in my suitcase if I could. However, we have to register and wear name tags so it is highly doubtful. You could always come and we can meet up with you after sessions are over. What fun that would be!!!

Again, I feel awful at the way I went off last night. I hope I didn't offend, but I take pride in what I do and feel I deserve this conference and will put what I learn to use when I come back. I wish espressoblend would just lighten up and stop tearing this place apart with his anger.

[Clark]

I Googled "why is starbucks coffee so dark strong bitter" and this site was one of the results. Frankly, I'm tired of going to Starbuck with friends and being forced to drink the sludge they call coffee.

Coffee beans burned beyond recognition do not make a good cup of coffee. I've come to the conclusion that in order to ensure that every cup of Starbucks tastes the same, day after day, year after year (like a McDonalds quarter pounder) you have no choice but to incinerate the beans.

I order Kona from PelePlantations.com. They roast it to order, as light or as dark as you want and ship it the same day. Under no circumstances will they incinerate it ala Starbucks. It tastes like coffee - not ashes.

Next Friday when the guys want to meet at Starbucks before work, I'm bringing my travel mug filled with COFFEE from home. I'm not spending another dime at Starbucks.

[Pat Nerr]

Darleen... I was appalled. How dare you show passion for the company you love! Shame on you...

I'm glad you're getting a conference. Some of my most energized times were from the wave created by the conference. A conference is the right thing to do right now... even if Melody is excluded.

[Z12]

I can't help but think that all the money being used for a 10,000 person conference could be better spent on getting the Mastrena's and Clovers to a lot more locations in a far more timely manner. THIS would improve the Starbucks experience for the customer and demostrate that upper management cares about the customer and the stock holder. This would also solve the problem for people who do not like the Pikes blend, they could get the coffee of their choice in the Clover. Save the 'conferences' for when Starbucks starts making profits again. This is a slap in the face to the customers and stockholders. It's like Starbucks is happily and ignorantly doing everything it can to destroy itself. Enjoy the conference, those of you who are privileged enough to go, because it may be the last time you get to go on vacation at the shareholders expense.

[Pat Nerr]

Z12... how do you expect to attain those improved profits if the 10,000+ managers are not motivated at this critical time of change?? I'm not a fan of Starbucks necessarily because of some of the crappy leaders still around... but I do know the value of those conferences...especially when they're timed before Q1.

[Pat Nerr]

and...

a. The company is still making a profit
b. Purchasing stock doesn't mean you know what's going on
c. It's absurd to think managers are getting a "vacation" when they've skipped conferences the last 2 years... They've performed crappy the last 2 years, so one could argue that it's partly due to NO conference to message key things and motivate the front line managers

[z12]

Pat Nerr...I expect to attain those improve profits by getting the Mastrena's and Clovers to a lot more locations in a far more timely manner, as I wrote. As for managers getting motivated, if the they can't motivate themselves and those they manage, then they are not doing their job. The company is not making near the profit they were, thanks in large part to the loss of quality. Purchasing stock means you have a say, especially when the perception is that the money you invested is being wasted. A vacation is exactly what it is. Starbucks sells coffee. You hardly need a 10,000 person conference to work out the details of running a coffee chain. These aren't health professionals or engineers getting together to train or have an exchange of ideas to help multitudes of people. I am not in anyway belittling those who chose to work at Starbucks, a barista who knows their job is highly prized, but you shouldn't need a 10,000 person conference to ensure the best quality coffee.

[Melody]

The Mastrena does ZERO for profits as far as I can see. It sucks money out of the company, and puts money into another automated machine, which the general public is likely to see as just another "button pushing espresso machine."

It's a better machine, with a better shot, but the average joe won't notice, (how can you when you add all that sugar and milk to your beverage) and it won't re-install any nostalgia to the stores.

The leadership conference, on the other hand, invests in people. It inspires them and motivates them and that means A LOT. The profits from that will come. Starbucks is in the people business serving coffee.

Pat, do I have to be excluded? Is the located super secret? Is there anyway I could just show up and trail in behind a lovely barista, with being noticed?

[waltie]

I wouldn't say that the partners going on this trip are "undeserving" (though, a lot of the managers I know certainly are!), but I am also skeptical about the point of this whole thing. I'm an ASM and I don't think I'd be overjoyed at the idea of going to one of these trips.

I'm sure these things are good motivational tools for the people who need or want it. But it's also just a distraction for the people who are already good at and passionate about their jobs.

I think most people are just excited about the prospect of a free trip. And there's nothing wrong with that. Free trips are great, even though they are, in the end, kind of pointless.

[ex coffee wench]

melody,
the last 2 i went to orlando and seattle they had people at the door checking name badges. orlando was the worst. security was all over the place. they wouldn't even let my baristas come in and my store was in orlando. so good luck trying.

[Ken]

Clark
"Frankly, I'm tired of going to Starbuck with friends and being forced to drink the sludge they call coffee."

Whos is "forcing" you to dirnk thier coffee? If you pay for it, its your own damn fault, sorry. I am not a fan of thier coffee either, but not one has ever "forced" me to drink it. If you don't like, don't go. Don't go there, pay for it, and then bitch about how much it sucks, and that you are bring forced to drink it. Grow a spine!

[David]

Wow, now I know why I took my money out of this company so very long ago. The people who run these stores are crazy to believe that throwing money all over the place is a good solution during a recession. Flying all of these people to New Orleans? What a joke. You can easily pass information faster in the digital age, and this is not the way to go if you want to go up.

The bad part is, Starbucks has a product and a name to succeed, but with decisions like this there is no amount of popularity to keep this company afloat. They have overreached the market, and they are paying for it. Three steps that would help would include.

1) Closing stores and limiting new store growth. Having too many stores in one place can hurt the image and can hurt sales.

2) Layoffs on all levels. You can't run a store when there is nobody there to serve. There are many locations in my area that are open late, but don't have customers after 7:00. Closing early and getting rid of some shifts can help dramatically.

3) Improve and simplify the product. Right now, there are thousands of ways to make a drink, and not charging for extras all the time hurts. Charging for EACH pump, limiting size choices, and laying off the frilly extras (bears, games, DVDs, etc...) can focus sales, and can emphasize improving what you have.

Even if you don't agree with me (and knowing some in this crowd, I'll be blasted for telling the truth), this company needs to do something now. Otherwise, you will see people like Peltz taking over.

Then again, it might be better for the company, and he will force change. For if you don't change, you will be eaten up.

[truth]

For anyone that is expecting a New Orleans rah-rah session to help with morale and profits, I would ask you to simply listen to the last annual meeting.

Then tell me that these leaders have the ability to communicate a clear and uplifting message.

Howard couldn't even explain the "free benefits" program and months later (and policy revisions later) partners STILL don't know how the program is supposed to work.

[adam]

I hope this helps. But I agree with some who ask how much this will really motivate the managers. They should be motivated as it is. They get paid a health salary (compared to many other occupations), they get great benefits, work with great people, and work for a fantastic company. Why aren't they motivated as it is?

Honestly. Let's think about the cash that Starbucks is putting up to make this happen. Even if the managers come back motivated, that won't help in the long run. Baristas may be motivated for a week or so, but then it's back to business. And not necessarily bad business. Most of the baristas I've worked with (in a dozen or so stores) love what they're doing and do it well.

But they're mostly high school and college students and middle-aged women who want good benefits. (Those are the baristas here. Sorry.) You're not going to motivate them to work even harder than they already do for the same low wage. It's just not going to happen.

I think the best motivation they get is working for the week or so when the manager is gone. They seem to love that!

So Starbucks, we love you. But is this the answer?

[nycmanager]

I had only been in position as an SM for about 5 weeks when I attended the last conference in Seattle...it was an awesome experience and only cemented my decision to grow with the company...

We were then shipped to Brooklyn the following year because we were saving money to pay for our trip to "origin" (which was then cancelled)...

I, along with most of my peers, have been anxiously awaiting another conference...to the naysayers, I would probably be on your side if I hadn't attended one before- and let me tell you- it is motivational, inspirational and well worth the $$$.

If we all agree that the company needs to change and that Howard is best positioned to help us then we also need to believe that this conference (and SBUX has been having conferences for a very long time) is another way to take us back down the path we seemed to have veered away from. Managers come back re-energized and re-focused with PASSION to do their jobs (I know a lot of you think that passion should be a given but it's not- it needs to be nurtured).

[Pat Nerr]

"Wow, now I know why I took my money out of this company so very long ago. The people who run these stores are crazy to believe that throwing money all over the place is a good solution during a recession. Flying all of these people to New Orleans? What a joke. You can easily pass information faster in the digital age, and this is not the way to go if you want to go up."

You took your money out cuz YOU stood to make a buck... Please call a spade, a spade. The conference is not about passing along info... it's about uniting the SMs and networking... celebrating some of the exceptional managers. Using one voice to speak to them. Giving them a break from all of the criticism they've endured the last 12 months due to the shi++y leadership practices. I may not care to work there anymore, but, let's lay off the SMs and start focusing on the real problem... poor upper management, poor communication, poor product selection, poor execution.

SMs have nothing to do with this on a company-wide scale... why punish them?? Cut some friggin executive speaking gigs, chop the programs that lend nothing to the business, stop paying bonuses AND stock... just give stock and make them work for the value add to their pocket books. Enough of the Jimmy D, shut up bonuses... that's the part you should complain about Mr(s) Shareholders

[leavin]

Speaking of upper mgmt, when is someone gonna speak out on the huge amount of upper mgmt leaving SSC in past months?

[Darleen]

Pat nerr,
Dude I love you right now! You took every word out of my mouth! I understand to a degree shareholders feelings. I am one myself! However, when these people (and I use the term lightly from some of the posts) come on here and decide who is worthy of what that's when I get angry and defensive. Not one of the PEOPLE know any one of us or what we deserve. Bitter folks looking to lash out at anyone it seems. I would love to get on a website for their job and lay in to them like they do us, maybe stand at their desk and belittle them all day, or better yet tell them how to do their jobs. We are going to the conference, we are going to re-connect and re-ignite and if folks on here can't respect that it's really too sad.

[Darleen]

I think most people are just excited about the prospect of a free trip. And there's nothing wrong with that. Free trips are great, even though they are, in the end, kind of pointless.

So not true. Also, if you have never been to one how can you say it is pointless? ARGH!!!

[P.R.I.D.E.]

I hope every investor who holds the same values as David DO take their money out of our stocks. It's not that I don't see their perspective, that all that matters in this world is profit. There are a lot of people (and a lot of other companies) who really believe that, and manage to the almighty dollar. And I don't doubt that these people might be very very rich with this strategy. Even if it means sacrificing their own principles to get there.

It's just that Starbucks hasn't been known to take this approach, and it was our radical philosphy that caused us an explosion of growth and revenue in the first place. I could make argument after argument about how we HAVEN'T taken this approach in our decision making in the last 12 months, and its resulted in failure in many circumstances. (Sure, let's save a buck by not test marketing Sugar Free Mocha. We all know how that went...)

My point is, we can't be all things to all people anymore. We really need to treat a certain socio-demographic as though they are the kings and queens of our world. These are people who believe in our guiding principles. The ones who stand for a partner first philosophy. The ones who believe that profitibility will ONLY come when we stand strong on the values that this company was created by.

I just think we need to let go of the others. And not feel guilty about it. We need to go deep with the right customers, rather than broad (aka pandering) to a breadth of customers. Just my opinion.

[Melody]

ex coffee wench: Thank you for the reply. I was somewhat kidding about sneaking in. I wouldn't really try it! But if there were some way for customers to go, - a special program perhaps - I'd be there.

[espressoblend]

My point is, we can't be all things to all people anymore. We really need to treat a certain socio-demographic as though they are the kings and queens of our world. These are people who believe in our guiding principles. The ones who stand for a partner first philosophy. The ones who believe that profitibility will ONLY come when we stand strong on the values that this company was created by.

Wrong. You NEED to treat your customers and your investors like kings and queens.

Self-serving to yourselves is the quickest way to see a company fail. You're on that road currently.

If you want to succeed, you need to see money infused via investors and sales. Wasting money on some stupid trip to New Orleans is not only obscenely wasteful in this time where you should be proving that you can save operational costs to your investors, but is extremely unimportant in the scheme of things. Print out a memo, use the televisions to do a live broadcast, etc. There are a million ways to "connect" that don't cost me a small fortune when investors yank cash out of the company because of yet another stupid move by the company.

SBUX needs to shore up confidence that it can become and REMAIN profitable. This is not doing that.

Your CUSTOMERS AND INVESTORS need to come first. The the partners can come. Without the cash from those folks, there would be no partners.

Plus, no one's addressed this: how is SBUX being green flying 10k people to one spot? That's not green. I mean, airline travel is the opposite of being green. Extremely hypocritical.

[coffee mistress]

As a non-management partner let me say...I miss the days when my SM would come back from the leadship conference all fired up. She would pick up some great ideas from other SMs that we hadn't thought of. As far as it being a vacation? Um, NO! She came back exhausted. She shared the stories with us about how much work was done. Yes, they do get to play a little bit. But it really is WORK.

As an investor, I feel like it's about time that the LC was reinstituted. When SBUX quit holding them , the stock started going down. I doubt that I am the only person to notice this correlation.

Espressoblend....You might want to consider therapy. It appears as though you have some serious anger/control issues.

Darleen, I love you! That was a beautiful rant. I have a great appreciation for you and your passion. I know that you love what you do and the partners that you work with everyday are fortunate to have you!

[Darleen]

Darleen, I love you! That was a beautiful rant. I have a great appreciation for you and your passion. I know that you love what you do and the partners that you work with everyday are fortunate to have you!

Thank you, that was very kind of you! By the way, I love your email addy! You are too funny!!!!

[espressoblend]

Meh. Just because you simply say I'm not correct does not mean I'm not correct.

I am right, and everything I say has legitimacy. You're a Starbucks employee, and thusly biased. I am an investor (and diminishing customer), which puts me firmly in the camp of "What Has Starbucks Done For Me Lately?".

Right now, not a lot. That goes for many, many investors as well. Even big-time activist investors are pissed.

Starbucks is self-serving. You might be enjoying the limelight now, but in two to five years time, the investor/ customer will be put in their rightful place: first. Then, the ranks will be emptied based on how poorly they serve the customer.

It's all about customer service. That generates sales, which makes the company profitable, which attracts investors. All of that cash goes to pay for operations, which includes the employees.

Besides, I'm sure that Howard Schultz himself would rather have cash in the bank (his bonus and executive compensation does depend on it, after all) then a workforce that's all about themselves. Sales = Pay for him. He'd can any "partner" in a half-second if that meant losing some sales.

It's factual, common sense and business. Don't take it personally. (Well, don't take it personally henceforth: you're already resorting to childish name-calling and unwitty "advice." Leave the psychology/ therapy referrals to the business. You can just make sure I get my coffee. Thanks.)

[Dave]

Expressoblend, I agree there is a lot of value in a management conference, but your manager getting "some great ideas from other SMs we hadn't thought of" tells me the company lacks on-going communication between Store Managers. If that's true, Starbucks is missing a key ingredient to profit in their management approach.

[SoCalRocks!]

Espressoblend, I have to say that you must be a new money investor, rather than someone who's been with Starbucks from the beginning. Please read Pour Your Heart Into It, It's Not About the Coffee, and heck you might even want to check out our website. You want us to be something that we will never be. We are not here to serve your pocketbook. We are here for human connection, with each other and our customers. For a great place to come to work. And our customers feed off of this. And our investors will be satified when our customers start noticing again that we've reaffirmed who we are as a company.

Sure, you may have created a few scare tactics in the past few months which have led to a few poor decisions, but the truth is, there is probably a stronger cost to retaining you as an investor, then buying you out.

I am ready to set you free. Heck, I'll even purchase your shares at an extra .10/on the dollar, just to free you of your Sbux troubles.

This will also be the last time I officially acknowledge you. I have a feeling you troll here just to get us all worked up.

[David]

Like I have said on here, you don't understand business. The fact is, no matter how much you love and think about the company, the company doesn't really care back. I worked fast food when I was younger, and I can tell you no matter how much you care, nobody else gives one.

Starbucks lives in a business world, and in order to succeed, you have to go out and MAKE MONEY, or be eaten by those who want profit. Because I can tell you, if I had the big bucks like others do, I would buy out this business and implement these practices that I have stated earlier. No more free trips, no more lovey dovey stuff. Just get your orders to the customers and make a profit.

If stuff like this continues, you will be bought out, and trips like this will be a thing of the past.

[Bubka Penis]

Darleen-Are you going to be all right? Did you have one too many energy packets?

[SoCalRocks!]

"If stuff like this continues..."

Uh, David, stuff like this is why every MBA program highlights how Starbucks made it. It's how we decided to be counter culture, and despite a softening economic climate, we'll be just fine, despite trolls like you.

I hope "stuff like this" continues for a long, long time.

[David]

Ha, you're joking right? You're counter- culture? Please, you're fast food at best and you know it. Face it, this company would rather you get your drinks out in a minute flat and get them going on their day. I mean think about it, do they encourage you to go out and help every single customer, or do they want you to get them in and out. Don't tell me the first one, because nobody has time to sit and chit chat. The days of this dinosaur are catching up, and you are going to be eaten by something faster and stronger.

If stuff like this continues, you'll be out of a job quick.

[truth]

sbux = counter culture?

On what planet?

sbux is as mainstream yuppie as it gets. (see sbux vs rollerderby logo dispute...."they don't represent sbux values"

that must be some kool-aid you are drinking

[sbuxfan]

Say Clark I read you recent post on Starbucks gossip site. Seems you do not like Starbucks coffee or what you call sludge. Thats fine. But really don't you find it strange that many wait in line all over the world to have some of that sludge. There are often other choices right across the street or back at home. Really how can so many ( what how many million cups a day?) be so stupid to put up with burned coffee. ?
Your logic escapes me. I do not even drink coffee...but seems someone out there likes it, pays for it. Glad I will never run into you at a Starbucks. Yeah I am a fan, many good reasons, my reasons. But geeze you seem pretty far out there with your opinion or logic. ? Before Starbucks we all got our coffee at 7-11 wow that is great , have some along with a cheese dog. Thanks to Starbucks we have all upgraded a lot. Life is better with Starbucks. Of course I am defensive Clark. The local Starbucks gave $550,000 to upgrade our kids park...benefiting thousands of kids forever. So stay away from one of our best resources in the city and world. Not that too many will listen. OK enough venting for now. SBUXFAN

[Darleen]

I think espressoblend, David and truth all should pool their money and buy a business. Then they can beat down the HELP anytime they wanted. Until that time they should really keep their cake hole shut.

[David]

Wow, that was really productive. It seems like the truth is hard to take for some on here, and I don't blame you. I would be sad to see everything I worked for go down the drain because Starbucks doesn't know the first thing about financial responsibility.

I guess when you're bought out, your new corporate management will beat you down with the obligation of actually running a successful business.