Starbucks Coffee

A friend of mine has been talking about starting a Starbucks franchise recently, despite the looks he gets from his artist friend. Although there are already several Starbucks coffees in the area in which he lives, it seems like there is always room for more. Every day, a new Starbucks coffee shop opens up, and another one begins to be built.

Now I am not one of the strongest detractors from Starbucks coffee, but I am not a big fan either. There are very few people who I have met who admit to liking Starbucks ground coffee. The people who really don't like Starbucks say that not only are they not able to make a good cup of joe, but they destroy all of the local coffee shops, few of which make a decent cup anyway. 

Usually, they will open a Starbucks coffee shop on each side of a local business. (One small mall had the Starbucks on the corner, next to the Ice Cream shop and the Donut house, plus at least two more in the big stores.) That way, people coming from either direction will see a Starbucks coffee shop before they pass the coffee shop that they usually go into.

Some say that these predatory business techniques drive a lot of interesting local businesses – businesses that, incidentally, make a better cup of coffee than Starbucks does – out of business. I say that people are willing to go a bit out of their way for the good stuff. Starbucks' shops pull crowds because people like their coffee as much or almost as much as the competition. Maybe Starbucks isn't on your list of the top 5 coffee shops, but if their coffee was that bad they'd be out of business.

Or maybe the coffee in the little shops isn't really all that good, it's just that they're not Starbucks?

On the other hand, there are some good things about the Starbucks company. Starbucks fair trade coffee – while not very good – does at least help to guarantee small coffee growers a living wage. And working for Starbucks is supposed to be one of the best coffeeshop jobs that you can get. Starbucks baristas are paid well for service sector employees, and they get benefits – something that is almost unheard of in the coffee shop business. Working for Starbuck coffee can actually be a career – something that you couldn't say for people working in small, independently owned coffee shops.

Starbucks coffee shops also have some other strong points, believe it or not. Number one; the coffee is consistent. No matter which Starbucks I roll into, I know what my latte will taste like. I like this reassurance. I can't say the same for every coffee house.

Number 2; Starbucks is always there. This is the way to get customers and make capital. Having plenty of stores certainly is a plus.

And number 3; customer service. Like I said, I've been to tons of coffee shops, and overall Starbuck's offers the best customer service. They must train their employees well, because I've routinely received great service. For example, I've been to Pete's a few times. The first time they didn't quite spit in my face, but they were rude. While that didn't happen again, I've never seen anything like it in the many times I've been to Starbucks. Good service is a major key to having a successful business.

Nonetheless, every time some people see anything Starbucks they cringe and fume. One of the things they hate most about Starbucks coffee, you see, is the way that it makes the whole world look the same.

Coffee shops have always been an interesting place for local culture to meet. Intellectuals, artists, and musicians have always congregated at coffee shops. Every area has its own unique little coffee shops, and they always express something about the culture of the region. If you go into any Starbucks coffee, however, It will be exactly the same as any other one. They will even have music offerings from the same few national band up by the counter.

Some say that one of the great meeting places of culture has been completely destroyed because of Starbucks coffee and a few other major players in the industry. As for me, I've seen some pretty interesting people in the Starbucks. Maybe they're sellouts? Maybe they, gasp(!) actually like Starbucks? Or maybe they like being in a place where the service staff is friendly.

You're probably headed out at some point today to grab a Starbucks coffee drink. There's no shame in this routine. So many people do it, and they generally have a specific beverage in mind. Heck, some of them don't even have coffee in them. Say hello to the new American craze! It seems to be one that's sticking around.