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Friends don’t let friends bash Starbucks

by Ruth Freeman on October 1, 2008  
Filed Under Business, Culture & Lifestyle

If you’ve been in any of the non-chain coffee shops in San Luis Obispo county, you’ve no doubt seen the stickers on some of the walls that read, “Friends don’t let friends go to Starbucks.”  And you’ve no doubt heard locals make derogatory comments about Starbucks, the evil “corporate” chain.  Just what is it that they don’t like about Starbucks, and I assume the other chains like Peet’s Coffee and Tea?  Well, it’s nothing logical, that’s for sure.

Let’s compare the chains to the local, independents.  Now, understand that I am speaking in general, and here are exceptions to what I’m saying.  But, overall, I find the local coffee houses to be sub-par in quality and service.  I like friendly and fast service, but it in the majority of the small shops, both are virtually non existent. If I see more than three customers in line in some of the smaller places, I know I’m in for a long wait.  Yet, if I drop into a Starbucks and see 15 people in line, I know I can still be out of there in five minutes, and I always get consistent drinks.  And I cannot remember a time when I’ve walked into any of the Starbucks in town, or in Peet’s, that I have not been greeted with a smile, and the attitude that they can quickly accommodate any order I might throw at them.

As I said, I don’t include all independent coffee shops in the same category. Uptown Espresso is one of the finest coffee shops I’ve been to: fast efficient and friendly, with smart people at the counter.  There are others, so don’t automatically think that I am talking about your favorite place.

What’s really interesting is that some think that it’s just horrible to work for a chain.  That’s nonsense. Starbucks, for example, offers any employees working over 20 hours a week a progressive compensation package that can include Medical, Prescription Drugs, Dental, Vision, Retirement Plan, Stock Options, Life and Disability Coverage, Adoption Assistance, and listen up liberal SLO coffee drinkers: even Domestic Partner Benefits. Does the anti-Starbucks coffee house you frequent offer any of these things, or do they just let their employees put out a tip jar with the words “401K Plan” written on it?

I do love some independent shops too (like I said, Uptown is fantastic). But I don’t subscribe to the Starbucks is evil mentality, and I think that those that do are, simply, not too bright.  I’ll drink coffee anywhere anyone wants to compete on product and service. But seeing one of those anti-Starbucks stickers on the wall is my first clue that I most likely will be better off walking out the door.

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5 Responses to “Friends don’t let friends bash Starbucks”

  1. I can’t agree. Personally, I really like Linneas on Garden Street. It so just “SLO” and so not corporate. I love the people who go there and I really enjoy the back patio. You can have your Starbucks crap coffee with all the yuppies that go there.

    Paul on October 3rd, 2008 7:50 pm

  2. Well the coffee is what I don’t like at Starbucks! They installed these machines where they just press a button and the coffee comes out!
    Peets makes a great cup of coffee, Linneas makes an even better cup!
    some of the others well, it tastes like they reuse the grounds….if you pay $3.00 for a Latte you want a good cup. when you get a heart design on your latte you know the coffee is going to be good!

    teresa on October 3rd, 2008 10:13 pm

  3. Paul: What I don’t like about Linneas is the people working there. They just don’t look like they are interested in providing service, like they are doing you a favor pouring you a cup. And then there are the bummy-looking people that often hang around the entrance outside.

    Teresa: I agree on Peets. And they are very friendly people there. That seems to be one of the busiest places around now. I’m not sure what’s wrong with pressing a button and having coffee come out at Starbucks. If it’s the coffee beans itself, that’s one thing. But I don’t think a machine is going to affect it. That’s why they call these contraptions coffee “machines”. :)

    Ruth Freeman on October 6th, 2008 12:16 am

  4. Starbucks is wasteful. Their profit margin is enough that they could use 100% PCR cups, or push real coffee mugs, but they don’t. And once coffee has sat out for too long, they throw it away when it’s still perfectly good. I do, however, love their plain black coffee. I adore and crave the caffeinated kick I get from it. However, I can get just as great a service in a comparable atmosphere from any of our local coffee shops. Plus, the locals have better food options and most have free wi-fi.

    And shouldn’t we be supporting our local families instead of some faceless corporation that doesn’t care about SLO County because there are thousands of other cities they make money in too?

    tara on October 7th, 2008 11:40 pm

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    Alma Branch on November 13th, 2008 12:06 am

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