Coffee break: Starbucks closes for 3 hours Tuesday

[katty]

("share passion for making expresso"...?)

more(riveting)info:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2008-02-26-starbucks-training_N.htm?csp=34

Coffee break: Starbucks closes for 3 hours Tuesday
SEATTLE (AP) — Starbucks is closing the doors at its 7,100 stores across America for a brief barista re-education.

CEO Howard Schultz announced the 3-hour closure starting at 5:30 p.m. local time Tuesday to energize 135,000 employees.

COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT: Starbucks press release
STARBUCKS CHANGES: Read Schultz's e-mail to Starbucks staff

He wants baristas to share their passion for making espresso, or as he says, "to pull the perfect shot, steam milk to order and customize their favorite beverage."

Schultz says it's part of his refocusing on the coffee customer experience.

[Selatius]

1. He should shut the fuck up and let baristas organize without corporate intimidation tactics.

Starbucks is notoriously anti-union and have been attacking IWW Starbucks workers trying to unionize for quite a while now.

[DainBramaged]

7. HEAR HEAR

1-20-09

[NashVegas]

2. Great Publicity Stunt

It got them 3 minutes of our local TV newscast tonight.

[Danieljay]

3. NOTHING beats Stumptown Coffee in Portland. Second is Vivace's in Seattle.

Though Vivace's Barista's are about the most arrogant coffee snobs I've ever experienced. They should shut down for a few hours themselves and teach them a few lessons in customer service and general kindness.

Stumptown, now also in Seattle is the best coffee I've ever had, anywhere.

Starbucks has fallen to the bottom of the coffee roaster in my opinion.

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

4. That's one way to save money

give every one 3hr break. /sarcism/

[LisaM]

5. So 135,000 employees have to stay till 8:30 at night?

I hope he's arranged for safe transportation home to those who have to wait for buses or cross dark parking lots.

[TheCowsCameHome]

6. How and why do you energize 135,000 people?

march them along an unprotected third rail?

Jeez, it's a coffee shop, not a nuclear physics program.

[marmar]

8. I was totally addicted to 'Bucks until trying some of the independent coffee houses near me....

.... Now 'Bucks is a last resort. And comparatively, their coffee tastes like crap.

[Mythsaje]

9. Starbucks is overrated...

And I've heard from people in the know that some of their baristas re-use grounds... which would explain some of the weak-ass lattes I've received across their counters a time or two.

[doc03]

10. If he wants to focus on the customer experience

lower the f---ing prices.