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I know I'm not the only one who's complained that Starbucks baristas don't know how to make a decent latte any more. Far from its roots as the reliable place to get coffee made exactly right, the chain has lately become famous for its automatic machines and the hit-or-miss quality of its products.Howard Schultz is here to change all that: by shutting down Every Last Store nationwide for three hours on Tuesday, February 26. Starting at 5:30 p.m., baristas in the coffee giant's 7,100 stores will learn how to do things better. They'll learn how to make a perfect shot, how to steam milk, and (if we have anything to say about it) how not to burn coffee, and how to wipe the milk steamer before switching from dairy to soy milk. (Vegans everywhere will say thank you.)
While it's doubtful that three hours of training will reverse years of gathering mediocrity, it's certainly a symbol of a company that cares about quality. If Howard is serious about this change stuff (and it's obvious that he is), he'll consider switching back to manual latte machines, at least in some stores located in serious coffee markets (like certain neighborhoods in Seattle, Portland and San Francisco). Speed and convenience is no price to pay for really good coffee. Some customers will agree; others will probably mutter swearwords under their breath as they pull up to their local Starbucks only to find it Closed For Training in a couple of weeks. Which customer are you?
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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 29)
2-13-2008 @ 10:52PM
Sam said...
While they are doing the training, let them remind the help that "thank you" is customary when someone gives you a tip. I do not know how many times I have left a tip only having to say "thank you" and a sarcastic "you are welcome" myself. The service is wanting. Wonder if they caught the drift?
2-14-2008 @ 10:21AM
Tatiana said...
Gah...we're already paying $4 - 7 for a $1 cup of coffee; we're supposed to tip also, so that SbUX can get away with paying their employees less? I vote less profit for SbUX, and pay your employees a proper wage. The tip should be extra, IF at all -- Teavana doesn't ask you to tip their employees, and I have never been in a Teavana where the employees didn't go out of their way for me! Boo, hiss SbUX.
2-14-2008 @ 10:41AM
Steve said...
I have always been a great tipper. But I have stopped tipping at Charbucks for the same reason. How can you not say "thank-you" when someone leaves extra cash -- in addition to paying way too much for a cup -- and all because you are doing a job you are paid to do anyway!?! Amazing.
2-14-2008 @ 11:46AM
Renee said...
To Tatiana, Starbucks pays there partners very well. They are always trying to stay above everyone else. Learn your facts please. They offer part time employees benefits including 401k and stocks, give them raises every 6 months and have paid vacation time from 6 months of employment on. They are one of the top companies to work for.
2-15-2008 @ 7:53AM
K said...
I was a barista for 7 years. The company I worked for informed the workers not to say "Thank you" when they received tips, just "Have a nice day". If upper management saw you do it, you would be scolded. Some BS about making the other customers feel bad or something, I can't remember their backwards reasoning. So please! Be nice to your baristas! (If not they will burn your milk)
2-16-2008 @ 1:37PM
Joan said...
Honey, you don't go to the right Starbucks. In my small town there are 9 Starbucks and they all are really sweet, kind and always say thank you.
2-14-2008 @ 6:47AM
sandra said...
I am a stock holder and even I have to admit that the quality of lattes has really gone down hill.
There are some stores where it is so bad that I
find it doubtful that they have had any training at
all
3-02-2008 @ 2:33PM
Vic said...
Do all the re-training you want, nothing beats a good cup of Dunkin' Donuts coffee!
2-14-2008 @ 9:38AM
Larissa said...
Amen Vic!
2-14-2008 @ 10:20AM
erik said...
And for 1/3 the price!
2-14-2008 @ 12:25PM
MARIA said...
AS A LOVER OF GOOD COFFEE CHEERS TO DUNKIN DONUTS SERVICE & COST. I ONCE WENT TO STARBUCKS IN EAST AMHERST N.Y, AND WAS SUPRISED TO HEAR SORRY M'AM WE DONT HAVE ANY COFFEE WOULD YOU LIKE AN AMERICANA INSTEAD? HOPEFULLY STARBUCKS OR ITS SHAREHOLDERS WILL WAKE UP SMELL THE COFFEE!!!!!!(THIS IS MY FIRST EVER RESPONSE BUT I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT MY MORNING AND PM COFFEE.
2-14-2008 @ 1:01PM
Freak said...
Dunkin Donuts is like drinking flavored water. The coffee is too weak i feel like my 3bucks is wasted. Not only that, their flavored coffees are nothing but sugar and water and coffee flavor. At least with SB, i still get the flavor of the coffee I want and it still kicks. Mc Donald's is of course worse than DD.
2-14-2008 @ 1:03PM
Lew Robinson said...
I agree now only here in podunkville where is a dunkin donuts let alone starbucks
2-14-2008 @ 2:38PM
chuck said...
Yes D & D is the best because it is changed every half hour does not sit there and burn. Ever FRESH.
2-14-2008 @ 10:52PM
esthes said...
how true
2-16-2008 @ 8:02AM
dingalinge said...
And that is about all to be said!
2-14-2008 @ 6:58AM
johnny said...
I wouldn't support their business, they don't support the troops in the U.S.A..
2-14-2008 @ 7:13AM
Alexia said...
I wrote to Starbucks and they do suppoet the troops you can go to their website and find out or call the company.The urban legand that they don't is awful! Shame on you for trying to spread a lie. I personally don't accept anthing this serious without checking it out
2-14-2008 @ 8:43AM
Mary Anne LeRoy said...
Johnny..I rec'd that email too but if you check out www.snopes.com you will see it was a fake..Starbucks does support our troopes
2-14-2008 @ 8:59AM
jackie barone said...
that is not true they send coffee over to the troops I know because my daugher works for the co. I am sure that every co. and business you buy from that they all do not support the troops.