huffingtonpost.com — Take note, Starbucks: McDonald's is coming after you. Yes, that McDonald's.Emboldened by rave reviews for the relaunch of its coffee business 18 months ago, the company is planning to roll out premium coffee drinks -- including smoothies, frappes and bottled beverages -- priced just below that of Starbucks.
Nov 14, 2007 View in Crawl 4
pandasonicNov 14, 2007
Thank you. I actually did only "i think so" because that's the impression Starbucks has been giving out with a few of their "policies" if that's what they can be called (i.e. the recycled cup jackets, the water that supposedly donates money to poverty-relief causes in Africa, etc). I am glad I got to hear this from a former employee.Also, I hate that companies have to lie and make up this "green image". They could just as well tell me the truth, it's not like the truth is going to stop the majority of Americans from being customers. I, on the other hand, will think twice before stepping into a Starbucks from now on.
astrotrainNov 14, 2007
McCoffee and McDonalds Food... yeah you'll be on the go alright... right to the john.
chapiumNov 14, 2007
Call me crazy, but I'd rather get my coffee from a local coffeehouse. Its better coffee, usually cheaper, and also has food.
sfacetsNov 14, 2007
This account has been closed by the user
Closed AccountNov 15, 2007
Why is this person being dugg down?
aduzikNov 15, 2007
My packrat grandparents still have a few bottles of Crystal Pepsi in their basement. I have claimed it as my inheritance, much to my siblings' dismay.
emilycarlson123Jan 30, 2008
Starbucks for a buck - Emily Carlson At select Starbucks stores in Seattle, you can buy a cup of joe for a buck.Ssssshhhh.It's a new initive by ex-CEO-just-recently-unretired-because-of-falling-stock-prices Howard Schultz. Starbucks is hurting, and something needs to be done.But who goes to Starbucks because of it's "cheap" prices??A year ago, Schultz wrote a bitter memo to his executives about what he calls "the watering down of the Starbucks experience." He complained that the soul of Starbucks was gone, and urged the higher ups to bring back customer service.So he's back in action, determined to change the coffee giant's luck.There's no question Starbucks is in trouble. In the past year and a half, stock prices have fallen nearly 50%, from a high of $39.63 in May 2006, to closing at $19.66 today. Schultz blames the company's out of control growth. Also ailing are skyrocketing milk prices, the troubling economy, and pressure from McDonald's.But why dollar coffee?Isn't that the turf of McDonald's? But the answer is...not really.Mickey D's recently announced plans to open "McCafe's." In other words, coffee bars featuring cappuccinos, lattes, and mochas whipped up by baristas, a la Starbucks.This, after Starbucks added drive-thru windows and hot breakfast sandwiches.It seems the two mega chains are going after each other... by coping each other.McDonald's is upgrading, while Starbucks seems to be.. well, downgrading.The dollar cupajoe seems to be an effort to get crowds in the door, but in the move Starbucks is moving away from it's brand. Starbucks is the king of $6 cups of coffee. They survived the economic downturn of 2001, when analysts feared the worst for a company who prides itself on hoity-hoity coffee. Starbucks customers LIKE that they shelled out bug bucks for their latte. The well known siren laden white cup is almost a status symbol, recognized in all corners of the world.Starbucks needs to go back to the "third place." Howard, get rid of the drive-thrus, the expensive merchandise, and the cookie cutter stores. You don't need to sell your coffee for a dollar.www.emily-carlson.comwww.emilycarlson.orgwww.emilycarlson.infowww.emilycarlsonchristmas.blogspot.com/www.eacarlson3.bravejournal.com/