Ok, may be quite the random post, but can't help it. I got triggered by a few posts of
Sulpicia's wherein she is (what I perceived to be) almost embarrassed about going there for coffee. Twice.
I've listened to people whine about them for a long time now and I have a few things to say in rebuttal.
First off is the argument about how they go into a community and take over the coffee business there. Like they target areas that have good local coffee houses and maliciously go in there with the sole intent of ruining the small town company. Cuz they're evil that way.
Hello...they are going to go where there is a good market. It's call smart business. What...they are going to go to the part of town that gets no traffic? They would not be successful if they couldn't figure out where to put their stores.
And guess what? If the local company has an exceptional product that's better than Starbucks, they will beat Starbucks out. The truth is, though, that Starbucks has gotten as big as they are because they have what people want.
It's not like they are Walmart with huge price cuts to undermine the market pricing structure. Have you been in one of their stores lately? Give me a break...their coffee is expensive. Their specialty drinks are
really expensive...often more so than the local cafes.
But guess what? Obviously the local store must taste worse because people are willing to pay more for a better product.
While I would prefer to, and do, support a local store...if the product sucks, I'm sorry but I'm going to the one that tastes better. And it appears that others feel the same way.
But that's not what I want to impart about this company. What blows me away is how they treat their employees. Most people have no idea.
Are you aware that this huge behemoth pays above minimum wage to start and gives regular raises to those who deserve them, starting shortly after hiring? And once you step into management, they are very generous. Regional managers get a healthy salary- one I know started at $65K, got a car
and a $6000 moving stipend.
Are you aware that they give FULL health insurance (including dental) to anyone who works there any more than 20 hours a week? That's right..fucking
full health benefits to
everyone for part time after only a few months. My daughter has worked there part time for years and has had two...that's right TWO major surgeries, plus now she has to have regular meds. Her cost of share has not gone up. They cover all sorts of stuff that you would not expect: therapy, chiropractic, etc. I think there's even acupuncture. This is not rinkydink or only catastrophic health insurance. It's great coverage with an extremely low co-pay (like $10 for the regular stuff, low for the surgeries).
But that's not all.
They have a matching retirement program that increases every year, ultimately raising their contribution to 125% of every dollar you put in.
Every employee gets either a pound of coffee or a box of Tazo tea every week. Every week. They also get a discount on drinks and food when they go in. And if they are paying, then their guests do, too.
They offer their stocks to employees at a discount.
They pay for some college tuition.
The have paid vacation days.
They are really supportive of alternatives in scheduling...supporting artists and mothers.
They have been forerunners in sustainable agriculture and fair trade. Not perfect, I know, but for that big a company, they do really well, IMHO.
They are increasing their recycling efforts every year.
They introduce a large population to lots of independent and world musicians.
They contribute to communities.
Their foods are whole foods...last year they switched to no corn syrup, no funky additives, etc. They have healthy alternatives like fruit plates and salads to offer along with the sugar laden pastries so popular in the coffee buying crowd.
So yeah...they are big. They get to be when they have a good product, delivered in a good package, with great customer service. Like...did you know that if you are on a trip and you get a drink at one Starbuck's...and you drive away and your drink isn't good that you can take it to the next one and get it remade free of charge?
Is it a perfect product? Truth is that if I see a Peets and a Starbucks in the morning, I will go to Peets as I prefer the coffee there. I like my coffee to be like muuuuud. In the afternoons I will go to a Starbucks because I love the iced tea and the Green Tea Lattes and an occasional Carmel Macchiato over anything at Peets. Just me.
Is it a perfect company? No. I'm sure they have tons of problems. Um, hello...any business does. But on balance, they tip way into the 95th percentile if you ask me in terms of overall good business. I love that they are clean and their bathrooms are tidy. I love that they are consistant on the road when I travel. I love that I can pop into any one of them in my travels and plug in my laptop for two (actually more) hours of free wi-fi when I use my Starbucks gift card once a month.
I think them a great model for treating their employees really, really well and I get annoyed when companies who are trying to be conscious get a bad rap because people hate anything big,
just because.
OK. Starbucks anti-dissing rant over.