Ousted Starbucks CEO Donald agreed not to work for McDonald's or Dunkin' Donuts

Although no longer working for Starbucks, Jim Donald will still get paid $1.25 million this year as long as he sticks to his pledge not to work for McDonald's or Dunkin' Donuts -- or not badmouth his former employer. Launi Skinner, former president of Starbucks' U.S. operations, also signed confidentiality and noncompetition agreements when she left in March. She received a full year's salary, and a Starbucks Partner Card entitling her to merchandise discounts for life. (Read the Seattle Times story)

Comments

[erg]

What is the point of th story, exactly? Do you want people to say "OMG STARBUX IZ A BUZINESS!!!"/

[dallasSM]

I think this is very standard practice for publicly traded companies. In the case of Launi, who spent many years with Starbucks, I think this is the least we can do for her. Having met her personally I felt she was a very genuine and forthright leader who will be missed on many levels.

[Jim]

I'll gladly keep my mouth shut for 1.25 million!

Shoot, I'll crazy glue my lips shut for just 1 million!

[z]

so, as often as howard says to the contrary, he actually DOES see mcdonalds and dunkin doughnuts as competition...

[smokey]

RIGHT ON ERG funny post! exactly, this is strictly business! all you STARBUCKS HATERS - gee guess what? CARIBOU COFFEE-nations 2nd largest coffee chain reported a wider 1st quarter loss due to consumers curb spending because of difficulties such as escalating food costs and eroding credit. ever heard of the R word? recession? duh? let's see , should i buy milk for the family or a latte?

[Jj]

At what I make now, I would need to work 60 years to make what Jim got paid for not saying Starbucks Sucks, and is truly a sinking ship.

[Pat Nerr]

seems fair to me... what's so bad about continuing to get paid by a struggling company for keeping quiet??

get yours Jimbo!

[Hmm]

Haha, right, Starbucks is struggling. Maybe if they have multi-million dollar advertising and billboards every 5 seconds and commercials every other break on tv, then maybe they'd get more sales.

Wow, Starbucks makes HOW MUCH by word of mouth? WAY2GO Dunkin. I didn't know "Latte" was an English word!

[Bob]

I love how in the minds of the masses, anything a corporation does, no matter how underhanded or immoral, can be dismissed with the cry "They're a business! They're trying to make money!" Oh really? You think the people objecting to this sort of thing don't understand that Starbucks is a business which is trying to make money by their actions? It's pretty insulting to imply that, and it says more about you than about those you're mocking. The fact is, we know that a business exists to make money, but nobody, not even you ridiculous people, would agree that any and all actions are ethical in the pursuit of that goal. So, since we all would agree about that, and we would just disagree about where the ethical line is, stop pulling out this nonsensical response. How about, instead, actually answering the assertion that the company has crossed the line we all agree exists, knowing that it's the lines location and not its existence that is in question?

[JMW]

Why the non-compete? Wasn't he fired because he hosed Starbucks? Maybe they SHOULD let him -- no, URGE him -- to go work at McDonald's!

[Northern Latte]

Since there isn't an open thread yet but I wanted to share a GOOD thing Starbucks has done I'm going to post it here!

This afternoon I came home to find a small box with a Starbucks logo on it in my mailbox....I was excited and thought it was something about Leadership (like the time we got the coffee beans in the mail!!) but when I opened it there was a pound of Espresso Roast and a thank you note from Starbucks and the Chase Duetto Card apologizing for the technical issues last month. Even though I am a partner and knew anbout the issues I thought it was very nice and great customer service towards the customers who did not know about the technical problems but came into the store and encountered them....Thanks Starbucks for uplifting my day!!

[that girl]

I am tempted to take that article to my DM and ask for a raise.....obviously even with low stock and a poor US economy they could still afford it.

[Field Partner]

I guess this shows who we really fear as our competitors...