Starbucks customer wants to know why he can't get a slice of lemon with his iced tea

Anyone have an answer for him? The guy writes of his lemon problem: "Seems to me this is a serious mission disconnect for a company with the rather modest goal of giving people drinks they like." Read "Where Starbucks Fails"

Comments

[Bearded Barista]

This guy might think twice if he knew how much bacteria is on those lemon wedges you can get at a bar for instance. granted, lemon juice will kill most bacteria, there is usually a lot of bacteria on the rind of the lemon from them being mishandled. Same goes for lemon wedges people usually get in their water... not something I would want in my beverage during flu season.

[>>><<<]

Maybe we could come out with “ready squeeze” lemon juice powder. Just add water…

[Chicago Barista]

@ >>><<<

We have lemon juice packets. Not the same as real lemon but its okay.

[IcedCoffee]

Oh BOO-FRIGGIN-HOO!

[Valerie Verona]

yes we do have lemon juice packets, which is not the same as a real lemon but eliminates the food and safety hazards because it is packaged.

all a customer has to do is bring it to the store manager or district managers attention and they can order some.

some stores dont order it (like when i used to work in new york) because no one asks. but in DC people ask all the time and thus we order it.

[Melody]

Oh yikes. I followed a link to this article from twitter & was writing a long reply and lo and behold, his blog post has been picked up by StarbucksGossip!

I have wondered, if Starbucks were to introduce freshly-sliced lemon into their stores, would that mean that baristas are then required to do some foodhandlers' class?? Are they required now to do so? I've wondered if it just adds another layer of complication to the stores, and that's why Starbucks doesn't do fresh lemon. ??

[javagirl666]

Slicing a lemon is considered food preparation..meaning different licsensing for most stores...

[SPORK]

but peeling a banana isn't considered food prep?

[Curious]

No, because you're not using a knife to peel a banana.

[is it so hard to be civil]

Each state has it's own food laws and most require Sbux employees to be trained in food prep. If you handle anything that is consumed it's food prep. Ice is considered food.

[Sbux DM]

@ is it so hard to be civil

It's true that Starbucks employees are required to go through food safety classes, but there are different levels of classes in many states, based on whether you are actually serving food or prepping it. Baristas are usually only required to get the minimum certification. Additionally, there are additional laws re: prep areas, etc. that must be followed if you prep food.

[riddlemesphinx]

SPORK- Starbucks receives frozen, pre-peeled bananas for Vivanno smoothies. No peeling involved for baristas.

[Kyle Maxwell]

A buddy of mine who doesn't like the lack of lemons usually asks for a "iced tea with a splash of lemonade", to distinguish it from "lemonade iced tea." Never had a problem.

[Edgar Estima]

@riddlemesphinx - This does not apply for all stores. Currently, stores in the US vary when it comes to the type of bananas they receive. Many stores receive Chiquita bananas that are not frozen and are simply ordinary bananas that the barista then peels.

[Edgar Estima]

@Melody - I surmise that whether a barista would need to take food handling classes depends on whether they are using a tool to handle food. Since baristas peel bananas without worry, it would seem odd that they can't slice lemons, but from my days back at the 'Bux, I remember not being able to use a knife to slice a bagel but being able to use guillotine-like bagel slicer to cut it. The potentially incorrect rule I derived from that is that if I myself am using a tool, I need certification, but if I simply put it through some sort of process, then it's fine.

[CamSpi]

In the state of Texas you need a food handler's card. If you are a shift supervisor, you need a manager's food safety card, which requires a 4-8 hour class and scantron exam.

I was told to have lemons it would change starbucks from "cafe" status to "restaurant" status... and I think it cost more for a restaurant license than it does cafe license. (I could totally be misinterpreting what I've been told... and feel like that information is wrong because we have ovens and food).

[OverCaffeinated]

@Melody

Here in WA all baristas are required to have a food handlers card. This involves watching a 30 min video and passing a quiz afterwords. However, when I lived in IL only the SM was required to have a food handlers card, but that required a 3 hr class. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that it really depends on what state you live in.

[ICU]

Jeez, in FL baristas don't need any kind of license. Not one that I consciously applied for. Anyway, having lemons to go with tea seems to be so basic that I'm going to just have to assume that there's a good reason why Starbucks hasn't made it so. Maybe cost, maybe it really does require more licensing, who knows.

[Sneaky]

There seems to be some forgetfullness about using the existing knife in all warming stores to slice a breakfast sandwich.

Or using the plastic knives in all stores to slice a pastry.

In most of California (San Diego County excluded), only 1 person in the store needs to have a food handlers certification, which is usualy the SM, but ASM's get it as they pass through their training.

Regarding the bacteria coments - I guess the bacteria from the Baristas hands, which are rarely washed, touching the inside lip of your cup is perfectly acceptable???

[ChristinL]

In colorado you need no food handlers certificate. In california, only the store manager needs a food handlers certificate, in NY Store Managers, ASMs, and shift supervisors need a food handlers certificate.

[molly manager the barista]

Stop the complaints every store should and if it doesn't is stupid can order lemon concentrate juice packets on their roasting plant order. problem solved next blog

[Asher]

Javagirl hit the nail on the head I think. It's all about the licensing. Same reasons as Melody mentioned above with the bagel cutting. Also why when you ask if we can put the butter or cream cheese on the bagel for you...no, we can't....

[Andy]

I've been reading starbucksgossip almost 2 years and this is the first time I can remember a district manager making a post. Thank you for making it.

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

See this brings me to the discussion of government regulations. I think that the government that governs less is best. Government deregulation of the food industry would be in the best interest.

[just a customer's opinion]

a lemon packet is NOT an acceptable substitution for fresh lemon.

[me myself and I]

In my more than four years with Starbucks I had ONE customer ask about lemon. And he was totally fine with some lemonade instead. I really think this is not a big issue for the typical Starbucks customer. It might be an issue for a few stores, but these might either consider getting some in (you can buy them at stores, you know) if they don't need a license for it (depending on the state they are in) or just get along with the lemon juice packages.
I really don't think we need a global solution to this problem. Deal with it at store level. Why would every store discard a couple of fresh lemons a day if they don't need any?

[spence]

In my state, we at Starbucks are not allowed to have a knife on the property.
If we had a lemon and it needed slicing, we would need to:
Stab it all day and night with a straw or
Poke it with our mug pins or
Drop kick it around the room until it eventually split open.

[minogrophile]

When I was working for the 'Bux in Seattle, my DM told me why we serve food the way we do and it was totally about licensing and state codes. By not making any food (beverages aren't food in Washington) we avoid having to have bathrooms in store. I feel that lemons probably fall in the same vein.

[Mary Mocha]

I also think the aroma of fresh lemons would interfere with the aroma of the coffee. That's one of the reasons we don't have them.

[spence]

Okay, Jim. What is up with the pretty squares? Do squares indicate the general location of the writer? Do they indicate who long they have been writing on this site? Or are they just pretty decorations?

[green_cup]

See this brings me to the discussion of government regulations. I think that the government that governs less is best. Government deregulation of the food industry would be in the best interest.

Posted by: BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL | October 15, 2009 at 04:38 PM

And yet, most government social programs would benefit low-wage workers like those at Starbucks well above any high-wage earners. I can't stand it when people are blind to the actual facts and just parrot nonsense they've heard on Fox News.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I also think the aroma of fresh lemons would interfere with the aroma of the coffee. That's one of the reasons we don't have them.

Posted by: Mary Mocha | October 15, 2009 at 07:48 PM

Please explain to me, then, why some coffees at Starbucks are described as having citrus "notes" to them? Citrus and coffee are quite a common taste pairing...

[JavaJoe]

first off green cup, youre wrong. citrus hints are much different from the full on nasal assualt of a fresh sliced lemon on the hands of the barista that just sliced it. have you every played around with the citrus lab? when i smell a blend with hints of citrus i dont smell lemons. just accept youre wrong
second this licensing theory is right from what ive heard from leadership in my own store.
third, as i commented at the article if you look at all of the services we do offer, it heavily out weighs not having lemons.
lastly and most importantly, i am severly offended that its just assumed we dont wash our hands. i was my hands every time im not doing something, and if i do touch the inside of a cup i throw it directly in the trash.

dont assume that what you or a few people do is exactly the standard. i dont want to get sick nor would i want to make someone else sick.

[julie martin]

@Andy

DMs actually post all the time. Just ask sneaky... :)

[waltie]

There's always going to be some customer who wants something that Starbucks doesn't have. For this guy, it's lemon. If we ever do start serving lemons, some other guy is going to complain that we don't have oranges.

Why is this important? Better yet, why is this guy taking Starbucks to task simply because there is one item he wants that we don't offer? Does he complain to McDonald's because they don't offer potato chips? Just order something from the menu and be happy.

But whatever. This guy lost me as soon as he called Wendy's "crappy fast food." Wendy's is good fast food.

[SBUCKS DRONE LOS ANGELES]

You can't get a lemon with your iced tea because you just can't. End of story. On to the next story...

[soydork]

@Sneaky

"Regarding the bacteria coments - I guess the bacteria from the Baristas hands, which are rarely washed, touching the inside lip of your cup is perfectly acceptable???"

That is gross. I might be able to accept that baristas do not wash their hands THAT often, but touching the inside of a cup and still using it? Not in my store. Anyone with common sense, or failing that, a competent supervisor, should NOT be doing that. Gross!

[Dangerous Dan]

An aside...why can't I get a packet of ketchup for my breakfast sandwich? Or packets of mayo or mustard for the refrigerated sandwiches? Seems like if you're serving food, you should also have condiments available.

[Herman M.]

I personally like a wee dram of whiskey in my coffee. Can't get that either. Nor can my saintly mother get her beloved hazelnut "creamer". In fact, there are any number of things folks would regularly put in their coffee, tea, or blended beverage that are not available at Starbucks.

Wasn't there a whole thread about how you lot had all accidentally dumped or almost dumped these various items from a customer's cup at some point? Want lemon? bring lemon. Want booze, bring booze. Want flavored cream substitute? You got it, bring some.

[lemonysnickets]

It's just lemon. We are not a restaurant. Like Herman said, bring it with. The lemon packets taste great in the tea. Quit being so angry over a slice of lemon "there is no substitute". Come on, if that is your biggest problem, you're doing okay.

[ANNIE]

So I just got fired from Starbucks.. And it had NOTHING to do with my work performance (my work performance was superior)... I got fired b/c I didn't have open availability and the new hires needed more hours to get health insurance... Even though I've been with the company for 2.5 years... Nice to know that Starbucks really cares for their partners....

[ChristinL]

"An aside...why can't I get a packet of ketchup for my breakfast sandwich? Or packets of mayo or mustard for the refrigerated sandwiches? Seems like if you're serving food, you should also have condiments available."

Starbucks does offer these things, some SM's CHOOSE not to order them for some idiotic reason. Takes up minimal space and its nonperishable

[Melody]

Annie, I wish you the best of luck. If you've got those great Starbucks skills, you'll find something new soon. Retail traditionally has been the place where employers work around odd availability. I guess that's changing. :/

[ANNIE]

Thanks Melody.. I guess so... I guess I wouldn't be upset if I did something wrong to warrant me getting fired..I mean, if I did something wrong, please fire me.. But I didnt.. I was only avail to work 40 hours a week and apparently that wasn't enough...

[me myself and I]

How dare you being only available 40 hours a week. This is only considered full time at other outlets.
Starbucks wants all of you. Everything. Days, nights, and everything else in between and around as well. Even if you were partner of the quarter, they will just chop you off for some douchebag who is available 168 hours a week because their skills and manners won't give them a job (or family) anywhere else. Their only advantage is, they are available (you might just wonder why...). And this is enough for Starbucks. At my store right now there are two such bright lights. The store I used to work at tried to fire me for the exact same reason you got fired, lucky me I found a store to transfer to. Now my old store deals with a lot of unhappy customers but can create a schedule in a fraction of the time. Starbucks priorities aren't with the customers or partners anymore, they are only with the shareholders (oddly enough a lot of "partners" are shareholders, but they seem to forget about it once in a while) and thus saving costs trumps common business sense.
Good luck to you. I cross my fingers for you to find a better job soon.

[ANNIE]

Thanks.. I called my DM to tell him and he said 'he'll look into it" but I'm not gonna hold my breath.. I know they dont care anymore their employees... And thats sad...

:-(

[spence]

Good Luck Annie,

I think you will find that having worked at Starbucks makes you more valuable to hire.

[just a customer's opinion]

You Starbucks employees are acting like wanting lemon with ice tea is an unusual thing or special request (a la hazelnut flavored creamer). It's not and that's the point. For ice tea drinkers, a slice of fresh lemon is as common of a condiment as milk/creamer is to coffee or honey is to tea. This is not a case of customers just wanting something else wacky that makes no sense. If you are going to sell ice tea then you should provide lemon slices.

I for one would not take the time to request a manager to order packets of the concentrate. For one, they are gross. And secondly, I now just choose to not purchase iced tea at Starbucks - I go to McDonalds where I get fresh lemon.

Now this is from a consumer that does not go to McDonalds for any other reason except when I want an iced tea. I would imagine that iced tea is one of your higher profit margin items and an entire fresh lemon costs about 30 cents at full retail cost at the supermarket. You do the math on the business you are losing (both directly in your sales as well as brand loyalty).

[Ettal]

The cost of re-licensing stores and training and certifying partners outweighs the benefit of attracting a minuscule number of additional customers by having sliced lemon. Starbucks has worked around other food preparation issues by sending us all our pastries pre-cut, sandwiches pre-made, bananas pre-peeled, pre-packaged oatmeal, etc. Therefore we do not technically "prepare" food and drink... we "assemble" it from pre-prepared components. The lemon-packet is the work-around for sliced lemon. Next topic please.

[javagirl666]

Nowhere on my RP order is there mustard or ketchup packets. We can order salt and pepper. And, Annie...call Partner Resources..there has been alot of confusion with the Optimal Scheduling. If you were fired for this reason alone..you should be rehired!!

[ChristinL]

those things are in the Daily pastry standing order not the rp order.