The Truth About Starbucks

The forward printed below recently came through to me in my Yahoo inbox. As a former Pacific North-westerner, Starbucks lies very near and dear to my heart. I felt that I had to do some research in to the matter. In this article I am going to tell you some things that I learned about Starbucks. I think you may be pleasantly surprised as I was.

Subject: Guess I Won’t be Drinking at Starbucks Anymore

Recently Marines in Iraq wrote to Starbucks because they wanted to let them know how much they liked their coffees and to request that they send some of it to the troops there. Starbucks replied, telling the Marines thank you for their support of their business, but that Starbucks does not support the war, nor anyone in it, and they would not send the troops their brand of coffee. So as not to offend Starbucks, maybe we should not support them by buying their products! I feel we should get this out in the open. I know this war may not be very popular with some folks, but that doesn’t mean we don’t support the boys on the ground fighting street to street and house to house. If you feel the same as I do then pass this along, or you can discard it and no one will ever know.

Sgt. Howard C. Wright

   1st Force Recon Co

   1st Plt PLT

Well, once I read this and saw all the other names who had read and forwarded this on, I knew something wasn’t right and I was determined to get to the bottom of it. First I went to Snopes to see what it had to say about this rumor regarding Starbucks. Just as I suspected, Snopes say it is FALSE. In fact, it pointed out that as part of Starbucks’ generosity, their partners at an Atascadero, California store sent their weekly mark-out coffee (the employees’ perks) to troops in Afghanistan so they are able to enjoy a little piece of home. Customer relations in Seattle donated hundreds of pounds of coffee to the sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier.

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According to Fortune Magazine Starbucks is the #2 best company to work for. Fortune reports that Starbucks benefits are very generous. For instance,  a part-time employee and their same-or opposite-sex partners receive  comprehensive health coverage.

This coverage even includes hypnotherapy and naturopathy. The magazine reports that the average annual pay for salaried employees is $44,790 and for hourly employees, that figure is $35,294 (figures gathered in 2005).  Starbucks also has a tuition reimbursement program available for partners who have at least one year of continuous service

It looks to me like Starbucks is a company who really appreciates their employees and go the extra mile to show them their appreciation! I am in the process now of reading the book How Starbucks Saved My Life by Michael Gates Gill. This book contains both entertaining and informative insight to the Starbucks corporation.

Ok, time to get back to my chocolate chip Frappucino now. I hope that I might bump in to you at a Starbucks one of these days. Not sure which side of the counter you might find me on, but undoubtedly, I will be there.