Starbucks leader grilled by Senate over anti-union actions
Longtime Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz insisted the coffee chain hasn’t broken labor laws and is willing to bargain with unionized workers during an often testy, two-hour appearance before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
Walgreens taps Starbucks exec Brewer as its new CEO
FILE - Starbucks COO Roz Brewer talks about the proposed redesign of a Starbucks store in New Jersey as she speaks Wednesday, March 20, 2019, during the company's annual shareholders meeting in Seattle. Walgreens has tapped Roz Brewer as its new CEO, which will make her the only Black woman currently leading a Fortune 500 company. Brewer will take over as Walgreens CEO on March 15, 2021 after a little more than three years as Starbucks' chief operating officer. At Starbucks, Brewer revamped stores, taking out clutter and cutting down on administrative work so employees could focus on customers and speed up service. Prior to joining Starbucks, Brewer served as president and CEO of Sam’s Club, the members-only warehouse channel of Walmart Inc. She also grew membership and improved merchandise there.
Starbucks' recovery, solid in China, still slow in the US
Starbucks said its business in China, its second-largest market after the U.S., has largely recovered, with same-store sales up 5% in the first quarter. Starbucks said it’s seeing fewer customers in China, but they’re spending more when they visit. The company opened almost 160 stores in China during the first quarter, for a total of more than 4,800. But in the U.S., same-store sales were down 5% for the quarter despite the holiday drinks that usually draw customers. Starbucks said it's confident U.S. same-store sales will rise between 5% and 10% in its fiscal second quarter as the pandemic's impact continues to fade.
Xi asks Starbucks' Schultz to help repair US-China ties
Xi is asking former CEO Howard Schultz of Starbucks to help repair U.S.-Chinese relations that have plunged to their lowest level in decades amid a tariff war and tension over technology and security. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)BEIJING – President Xi Jinping is asking former CEO Howard Schultz of Starbucks to help repair U.S.-Chinese relations that have plunged to their lowest level in decades amid a tariff war and tension over technology and security. A letter from Xi to Schultz reported Friday by the official Xinhua News Agency was a rare direct communication from China's paramount leader to a foreign business figure. In a statement issued Friday, Schultz didn't directly address Xi's request to help repair relations, instead saying it was “a great honor” to receive the letter from China's president. The Cabinet press office didn’t immediately respond to questions about what Xi wanted Schultz to do and whether he contacted other American business leaders.
Starbucks giving away free coffee to frontline healthcare workers throughout December
SAN ANTONIO – Starbucks has announced it will hand out free coffee to frontline healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, first responders and hospital staff, throughout December. The coffee giant on Tuesday said that employees can receive a free tall coffee, hot or iced, as a thank you for their “significant efforts” during the COVID-19 pandemic. “It has been an extraordinarily difficult year, especially for the front-line responders who are serving our communities,” Virginia Tenpenny, Starbucks vice president of global social impact, said in a news release. and hospital staff (janitor, housekeeping, security, etc.). They must identify themselves as frontline healthcare workers, the release states.
As seen on SA Live - Friday, November 6, 2020
SAN ANTONIO – Today at 1 p.m. on SA Live, it’s National Nachos Day! Do you like melted shredded cheese on your nachos or queso? pic.twitter.com/It7OYXsXMe — SA Live (@SALiveKSAT) November 6, 2020We have a spot where you can find some quality nachos today! SA Live airs weekdays at 1 p.m. on KSAT 12. Stream the show anytime from the KSAT TV app on Roku, Fire Stick, a smart TV or smartphone.
Starbucks holiday drinks are back with free red cups on Friday
The 2020 Starbucks holiday drinks are officially back in stores. The festive drinks are back for the holidays and include the Peppermint Mocha, Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, Caramel Brulee Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte and Eggnog Latte. Anyone who orders one of the holiday beverages on Friday, Nov. 6, will receive a free collectible cup, while supplies last. The free cups are available for orders placed in the cafe, drive-thru or curbside, in addition to Starbucks Delivers with Uber Eats. The Seattle-based coffee company is also serving new holiday-inspired foods like the cranberry orange scone, sugar plum Danish pastry, cranberry bliss bar, snowman cookie and a snowman cake pop.
Starbucks targets new market, in coffee exporting Laos
BANGKOK – Starbucks said Monday it plans to open an outlet in Laos as it expands its network of more than 10,000 stores in Asian countries. “We are pleased to introduce the Starbucks brand into Laos, which further builds on our 20 year relationship with Starbucks to grow the coffee industry across Asia,” said Michael Wu, Chairman and Managing Director, Maxim’s Caterers Limited. Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, Laos was drawing growing numbers of foreign tourists, with more than 4 million visiting in 2018. “We will take a thoughtful approach to driving sustainable growth in Laos and look forward to contributing to the country’s vibrant coffee culture," Starbucks said. Starbucks said it was monitoring the coronavirus situation but is still aiming at an opening in summer 2021.
Floresville set to break ground on first Starbucks in Wilson County
Floresville, Texas – For most of us we can drive up to a Starbucks at any time, but in Wilson County that wasn’t an option until now. The Floresville City Manager has announced that a Starbucks is being developed. In an announcement on Facebook, city manager Henrietta Turner said that the project will create local jobs and support economic development. “This is one of the many projects that are in the works, as we continue the partnership with the City of Floresville," Economic Development Executive Director Benjamin T. Reed said. “With the addition of Starbucks to the area, this allows us to better compete with a different type of retailer.”The Starbucks will be located off Highway 181.
More companies pledge to give workers time to vote
Walmart says it will give its 1.5 million U.S. workers up to three hours paid time off to vote. Then, he formed A Day for Democracy, which asks employers to give workers time off to vote and distribute voter registration information. Once this election is over, Paladjian plans to advocate for a federal election holiday. A little over 400 companies participated last time; Time to Vote says 700 have joined so far this year. Gilbert said even if people vote early, they can still take time on Election Day to drive people to polls, work at polling stations or provide child care so someone else can vote in person.
Starbucks extends free coffee offer for first responders and frontline workers through May 31
HOUSTON – First responders and frontline workers can continue to get their much-needed coffee boost from Starbucks for free through the end of May. Starbucks announced it’s extending its current free coffee offer to frontline workers and first responders through May 31. Since the promotion was originally announced on March 25, Starbucks has served more than 1 million cups of free tall brewed (hot or iced) coffee to those who are helping in the fight against COVID-19. The promotion was originally scheduled to end on May 3. First responders and frontline workers can now take advantage of the promotion through May 31.
Starbucks has a plan to reopen. Here’s how it will work
(CNN) -- Starbucks is adopting a "monitor and adapt" strategy to reopen some cafes in the US following their closures in mid-March. Starbucks started reopening stores in China based on these kinds of factors, Johnson said. "As was the case in China, [monitor and adapt] means we will gradually expand and shift the customer experiences we enable in our stores," Johnson added. He added that 60% of Starbucks' US stores have a drive-thru, and 80% of orders were already being placed "on-the-go" before the pandemic hit. Starbucks warned last week that its upcoming earnings will be slashed in half because of the virus.
These hilarious tweets about Target are making moms everywhere feel seen
We get that there are much bigger problems in the world, but we couldn’t help but laugh at some of these hilarious posts people are making about how much they’re missing Target. If you’re a Target lover, we feel confident you will enjoy these posts just as much as we do. — Rory (@rcdaly95) March 31, 2020I had a dream that I went to target & woke up thinking my dream was real. Now I'm upset #imisstarget — KCB (@kaseytheginge) October 31, 2014I miss the days of wandering aimlessly through the aisles of Target. #TARGET pic.twitter.com/KuPF3EAblD — jess (@jess_arabie) April 3, 2020Getting dressed up to go to #Target cause that’s one of the only places I’m allowed to go in this free world.
Starbucks offers free coffee to front-line COVID-19 responders through May 3
SAN ANTONIO – Starbucks is helping in the fight against the coronavirus by giving first responders a free coffee daily through May 3. The coffee retailer shared details on the company’s website saying front-line responders -- like police officers, firefighters, paramedics and health care workers -- “will receive a tall brewed coffee (hot or iced) at no charge.”Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson also announced Sunday that all retail employees will continue to receive pay for “the next 30 days whether or not their store is closed, or they are otherwise unable, or even uncomfortable, coming to work,” citing the company’s belief that “no partner should be asked to choose between work and their health.”Additionally, the Starbucks Foundation is donating $500,000 to Direct Relief and Operation Gratitude support first responders. COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new virus, stands for coronavirus disease 2019. The disease first appeared in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, but spread around the world in early 2020, causing the World Health Organization to declare a pandemic in March. MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE FROM KSAT:
CDC recommends no gatherings of 50 or more for 8 weeks
CHICAGO (AP) — The CDC is recommending that gatherings of 50 people or more in US be canceled or postponed over next eight weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic. California's governor asked the state's bars and restaurants to do the same, but didn't order it. From a public health perspective, this is malpractice,” Murphy said in a statement Sunday. So the first 50 people got off, and they asked us to keep a large distance between ourselves,” she said. Republican Rep. Devin Nunes had a similar message on Fox News Sunday, encouraging people to go to local restaurants and pubs despite the warnings of health officials.
Starbucks may limit seating at some stores because of coronavirus
(CNN) -- Starbucks may limit seating and keep only its drive thrus open in response to the coronavirus, CEO Kevin Johnson said Thursday. As a "last resort," it may temporarily close stores, Johnson noted. Today, more than 90% of Starbucks stores in China are open for business. The open stores still have reduced hours and are limiting seating to keep customers at a distance from one another, Starbucks said last week. In the United States and Canada, Starbucks has increased cleaning and sanitizing measures at company-owned stores.
You can’t get your own mug filled at Starbucks anymore because of coronavirus concerns
Starbucks on Wednesday announced it is temporarily suspending the use of personal cups and tumblers at its North American stores to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. "We will continue to communicate with transparency and act courageously and responsibly to ensure the health and well-being of our partners and customers," Williams said. In 2010, Starbucks launched a campaign promoting the use of personal tumblers to reduce its paper trash output. Starbucks announced Wednesday that its stores will stop the use of personal cups amid the spread of the coronavirus. Starbucks has also increased cleaning and sanitizing for all company-operated stores to help prevent the spread of germs, according to the letter.
Starbucks giving away free drinks at pop-up parties starting Friday
SAN ANTONIO – Starbucks is still in the gift-giving spirit: starting Friday, Pop-Up Parties at select locations will offer free drinks. More than 1,000 Pop-Up Parties are set to take place from 1-2 p.m. local time at select stores from now until Dec. 31, according to the coffee giant. Store locations will change daily, so check starbuckspopup.com first to see if a store in your city is offering the freebie. Coffee lovers can get a free tall handcrafted espresso beverages, hot or iced, during that time. You could win Starbucks for life in annual holiday contestYes, that even includes holiday favorites like peppermint mochas, iced toasted white chocolate mochas, lattes, macchiatos and more.
You could win Starbucks for life in annual holiday contest
If so, you could be on your way to winning Starbucks for life in the coffee giant’s annual holiday contest. Five grand prize winners will get Starbucks for life, meaning they’ll get a daily credit for one free food or beverage item at participating stores every day for 30 years. Players need to collect game pieces by making a purchase using a registered Starbucks card or visit StarbucksForLife.com to earn pieces without making a purchase. There will be 2,208,620 random winning times throughout the contest, according to Starbucks. The approximate retail value of the grand prize of “Starbucks for Life” is $59,458.50.
Starbucks has fired employee who gave Oklahoma officer order with ‘PIG’ printed on the label, company says
(CNN) -- The Starbucks employee who gave an Oklahoma police officer cups of coffee with the word “PIG” printed on the label has been fired, the company said in a statement Friday. The Kiefer police officer went to the Starbucks in Glenpool on Thanksgiving day to pick up five drinks, CNN affiliate KTUL reported. Kiefer Chief Johnny O'Mara told the news station a customer pointed out the label on the cups to the officer. The coffee company called the incident "absolutely unacceptable" and said it is "deeply sorry to the law enforcement officer who experienced this." In a joint statement, Starbucks and Kiefer police said they're using the incident "as an opportunity to leverage our shared platforms to promote greater civility."
Starbucks' plain red holiday cups stir up controversy
This year's holiday season red cups at Starbucks have stirred up critics who accuse the company of waging a war on Christmas. Feuerstein criticizes Starbucks for removing "Christmas from their cups because they hate Jesus." In response to Feuerstein's video, Starbucks said in a statement Sunday that it tries "to create a culture of belonging, inclusion and diversity." Pictures of cups with "Merry Christmas" written instead of customers' names sprang up on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Some of the video's most-popular comments point out that the company sells gift cards with "Merry Christmas" written on them and sells a "Christmas Blend" coffee.
Friday Freebies - March 1
If you are a Target with a Starbucks in it this weekend, you get a free pastry when you purchase a grande or venti espresso. That's only at the Starbucks in Target stores. If that's not enough, when you register your Starbucks card online, you get $5 free just for signing up! And here is a great deal, last year, J.C. Penney offered free haircuts for kids on Sundays. You do have to make an appointment at your nearest J.C. Penney Salon.