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Blog
Link This | Email this | Blog This | Comments (3)
July 1, 2009
"Sir, I have to ask you to ...," sternly declared the Starbucks employee as I lifted my camera in front of the pastry case.
"Yes, I know, I'm not supposed to take pictures in here," I replied, taking one.
How could I resist? Today the coffee chain rolled out healthful food offerings in an effort to enhance its business in the face of a bleak economy and incursions by McDonald's McCafe. I wanted a shot.
But change doesn't come all at once apparently -- at least at my local outpost. A worker informed me that while many of the pastries were now "made by Starbucks" a few--including the doughnuts--were still supplied by an outside vendor. It was nice to know but I wondered if she shared that fact with customers who didn't ask.
No denying this is a significant move by the ailing chain, where first quarter's same-store sales dropped 7 percent. If the pastries are perceived as better for you--as a sign on top of the case proclaimed (without noting the glazed doughnuts)--maybe more customers will dig in. What's more, the mere effort of making baked goods more healthful will create a halo effect, attracting customers who simply reward the chain for so doing.
A problem remains, however, at least in the store near me. It's the holier-than-thou attitude of the workers (see above.) When compared the uniform-free baristas at a locally owned coffee-shop chain in my neighborhood, called Phoenix Coffee, the folks at Starbucks act like a bunch of stiffs.
We all appreciate employees taking our coffee orders seriously, yet who wants their beverages served by corporate drones (see above)? Not me.
Starbucks Makes a Change
July 1, 2009
"Sir, I have to ask you to ...," sternly declared the Starbucks employee as I lifted my camera in front of the pastry case.
"Yes, I know, I'm not supposed to take pictures in here," I replied, taking one.
How could I resist? Today the coffee chain rolled out healthful food offerings in an effort to enhance its business in the face of a bleak economy and incursions by McDonald's McCafe. I wanted a shot.
 |
| Glazed doughnuts: Still made the old-fashioned way. |
But change doesn't come all at once apparently -- at least at my local outpost. A worker informed me that while many of the pastries were now "made by Starbucks" a few--including the doughnuts--were still supplied by an outside vendor. It was nice to know but I wondered if she shared that fact with customers who didn't ask.
 |
| Coffeecake sans corn syrup, food dyes and trans fat. |
No denying this is a significant move by the ailing chain, where first quarter's same-store sales dropped 7 percent. If the pastries are perceived as better for you--as a sign on top of the case proclaimed (without noting the glazed doughnuts)--maybe more customers will dig in. What's more, the mere effort of making baked goods more healthful will create a halo effect, attracting customers who simply reward the chain for so doing.
A problem remains, however, at least in the store near me. It's the holier-than-thou attitude of the workers (see above.) When compared the uniform-free baristas at a locally owned coffee-shop chain in my neighborhood, called Phoenix Coffee, the folks at Starbucks act like a bunch of stiffs.
We all appreciate employees taking our coffee orders seriously, yet who wants their beverages served by corporate drones (see above)? Not me.
Posted by David Farkas on July 1, 2009 | Comments (3)
Reader Comments
at 7/1/2009 7:37:04 PM, uasked 4it commented:
If someone comes into my place of business and does something that they KNOW they're not supposed to do, then they can't complain when something happens to them, or if they are not treated like family. It's the old "mess with the bull, get the horns."
at 7/2/2009 9:03:31 PM, Steve J commented:
The big mistake was taking food out of the concept? What were they thinking? The expierence of SBUX is addative food is a muct! Wow did they make a mistake. They seem to be back on track and that is good. Grocerants sell both food and beverage, they need to head that way.
at 9/29/2009 4:46:10 PM, Mallorca Bread Starbucks commented:
Hi does anyone know where i can get some Mallorca Bread Starbucks has in some starbucks but in Mesa anymore? Who bakes the Mallorca Bread for Starbucks or used to? Thanks! Cosmic2955@yahoo.com
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