Filed under: iPod Family, iPhone
TUAW on the Spot: Secret Barista to report on Starbucks 'retraining'
Wanting to get the scoop on the new coffee generation, I put in a call to my secret barista, Ms. Coffee. "Quick, tell the dish about the nationwide Starbucks retraining this afternoon!" "Wish I could -- got nothing to tell. All the stores close at 5:30 pm local time, no matter where they are. We have no idea what the training involves." So I extracted a promise: any mention of AT&T, the iPhone, EDGE networks or WiFi and she is to dash to the bathroom on a "weak bladder" excuse and call.
For those of you who are completely caffeine deprived, Dunkin' Donuts will "ensure that no coffee lover is denied a delicious espresso-based beverage," offering lattes, cappucinos and espressos for $0.99 between 1pm and 10pm today.
So what do you think, TUAW readers? Is this the big AT&T intro we've been waiting for?
Thanks Nick
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
DJCarbon43 said 1:09PM on 2-26-2008
Way to blow her cover... If she gets canned its on you
Reply
stainboy said 1:20PM on 2-26-2008
*YAWWWN* huh?
Reply
Captn Apollo said 1:17PM on 2-26-2008
No... they are retraining their employees on how to make coffee... not tech stuff. Starbucks has to stand out as a coffee house first and foremost and over the last few years they have been watering down their main product with sandwiches and other non-essential, non-coffee products that got them where they are in the first place. So don't expect a call from your friend, they're doing espresso not iTunes.
Reply
artifex said 6:35PM on 2-26-2008
So does this mean they're going back to actually brewing it, instead of pushing buttons? Will they stop burning their beans, too, or is that too much to ask? :)
Jonathan said 1:20PM on 2-26-2008
I guarantee you it'll have nothing to do with AT&T. My wife is the Starbucks training manager for Southern California and Hawaii, and has been prepping the district managers on tonight's re-training all day yesterday and today. It's just a 3 hour coffee and espresso training, drilling into Baristas and managers exactly how to make "perfect" drinks.
The biggest thing you'll see in every store tomorrow morning is a sign that says, "If your drink isn't perfect, we'll make you a new one"--or something nearly like that.
Reply
mr. coffee said 1:22PM on 2-26-2008
we're just relearning the recipies and talking about the changes in hardware and software of our espresso machines, namely the new filters and ability to only pull a double shot resulting in a sweeter, more full bodied shot of espresso.
ive already seen the video we're watching, nothing special. just uncle howard, as we affectionately call him, getting control of his baby again and wanting to make sure we are giving the best experience to our customers.
sorry for this sounding advert-like. ive been working at starbucks for about 6months and i have to say it is one of the best companies to work for on this planet. i used to be so anti-starbucks, but in reality, the only thing that makes it bad is some lazy baristas, which this training is helping to set on track :)
Reply
Michael Rose said 1:27PM on 2-26-2008
As a younger man, I spent several months driving around the country in a van following the Lazy Baristas. Man, they were awesome.
DJCarbon43 said 2:03PM on 2-26-2008
@ both of you. lol ^_^
The other bad eggs are bad/mean/incompetent managers...but thats anywhere I suppose.
I like Starbucks' espresso drinks, but their regular coffee (at least here in Philadelphia) doesn't measure up. We've been spoiled by La Colombe and Old City Coffee. Mocha Java FTW!
guerro said 1:51AM on 2-27-2008
6 months huh? I have over 4 years in, just wait, you will learn to hate the company.
jason said 1:58PM on 2-26-2008
As others have already said.....has nothing to do with tech, only coffee.....my wife is a manager and has already seen all the info......so NO big AT&T or Apple news is comming.
Reply
Austin said 1:59PM on 2-26-2008
i hate my life [*_*]
Reply
Kev Orng said 3:11PM on 2-26-2008
Well, i know that Starbucks has had a problem with some Baristas saying things like "Thanks, Sucker!" after customers buy an overpriced coffee.
Reply
cheapirish said 8:01AM on 2-27-2008
I asked them after the initial announcement that they were getting "free" wireless from AT&T and they hadn't heard anything about it. Don't know if they have more updated info now or not.
But our local store confirmed the training is all about coffee making as well.
Reply
joe said 5:26PM on 2-26-2008
I am glad to hear that it is training on how to be a better barista! I used to frequent Starbucks two to three times daily. Now, maybe once a week. Reason? Poor/slow service. The smaller stores with fewer customers appear to be the worst. I think Starbucks grew too much.
While the iTunes news is probably what everyone here would like to see more news about - I would just like to see better service, and I'll use my trusty computer to buy my music.
Reply
artifex said 6:38PM on 2-26-2008
I'd rather hear they're rolling out the free wireless already.
riscky said 11:15PM on 2-26-2008
Grrr... I hate all the $tarbuck$ hype... but I'm sorry everyone forgets about Panera Bread. First off they offer FREE wi-fi to anyone... no purchase require... no coupon code and no two hour limits. They also have coffee & your latte, along with fresh backed items, soups, salads and sandwiches.
Oh and for those in the west coast... if you walk in to Panera while Starbucks is closed and ask for a small coffee its free, as in $0.00
Reply
Galley said 9:03AM on 2-27-2008
I don't drink coffee, but I hit the local Panera whenever my DSL craps out.
May said 3:24AM on 2-27-2008
@artifex
1.) Starbucks does in fact "brew" their coffee...as in they brew their drip coffee, always have...I think what you're referring to is their use of automated machines when it comes to the espresso beverages (in which case the terminology of "brew" does not apply)...a big reason as to why starbucks uses these automated machines is the sheer volume of guests they accomodate, if the baristas tried to produce espresso beverages for all their guests with a manual espresso machine it would take longer and exasperate their baristas wrists much more, in addition these automated machines are more accurate in their measuring and tamping of the grinds providing a more consistent product.
2.) Starbucks does, in fact, roast their coffees longer than most other roasters...though to say that they burn their beans is untrue...their more robust roast is not for everyone's palate, their coffee is based on a richer, fuller bodied flavor which not all consumers are accustomed to.
3.)There will be no overall "free" wifi at Starbucks...however there will be complimentary 2 hours of wifi to guests who have a registered and active starbucks card...AT&T is also offering two priced packages one for 2 or 3 hours of use and one for unlimited hours of use...these wifi "packages" will take effect in early Spring, so my guess is April-ish.
Reply
SquiggiE said 6:59PM on 2-28-2008
Forget about starbucks, around here Caribou Coffe has pushed them out of the market for years now. Much better coffee and service.
Reply