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Starbucks China: Facing Luckin, The Local Disruptor

By: Nirmalya Kumar, Sheetal Mittal, Stephen Eryung Chu

Set in 2019, the case describes the challenge Starbucks faces from Luckin coffee, a local start up in China. Having entered China in 1999, Starbucks was the undisputed leader with more than 70%…

• Length: 28 page(s)
• Publication Date: Oct 21, 2019
• Discipline: Marketing
• Product #: SMU541-PDF-ENG

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Set in 2019, the case describes the challenge Starbucks faces from Luckin coffee, a local start up in China. Having entered China in 1999, Starbucks was the undisputed leader with more than 70% market share and 3600 cafes by 2018. The brand's success was rooted in its core proposition of providing consumers a 'third place', an escape from both home and the work place, to relax and indulge themselves. While China/Asia Pacific was Starbucks' fastest growing market, the company faced a setback in the region in 2018. There was a decline in its third quarter sales, total number of transactions for the year, and the annual operating income. Starbucks' sudden downturn in the region could be attributed to the threat to its third place positioning by Luckin. Launched in November 2017, Luckin grew to more than 2,300 stores in just 17 months. Unlike Starbucks, it offered lower prices and the convenience of having coffee anywhere - at home, the work place or a café. Its mobile app-linked order and cashless payment platform, and a store pick-up and delivery model appealed to the country's digitally savvy millennials. Over 2018-2019, the company successfully raised US$550 million, and in May 2019, came out with its IPO. By the end of 2019, Luckin aimed to open a total of 4,850 stores to surpass Starbucks' planned network of 4,200 stores. The sudden rise of Luckin raises serious questions to engage students. What should Starbucks do in order to maintain its dominance in China? Should it emulate Luckin and work towards building a stronger and wider delivery channel, or should it continue to pursue its premium priced experiential retail strategy? And, would Luckin's cash burn business model that includes heavy discounting, aggressive advertising and a rapid store expansion fail or succeed eventually?

Learning Objectives

The case will help students learn about how sustainable competitive advantage is key to creating and capturing value; and how specific resources and capabilities shape a firm's value chain, and thus its ability to differentiate and deliver the desired value proposition. The students will get to compare the business models of two competing but radically different firms who are at the opposite ends of the value spectrum, and appreciate the role of technology as a disruptor.

Oct 21, 2019

Discipline:

Geographies:

Industries:

Beverage industry, Retail and consumer goods

Singapore Management University

SMU541-PDF-ENG

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Starbucks – Case analysis and problem solving

Starbucks Corporation is an international coffee company and coffeehouse chain based in Seattle, Washington. In October 2006, Starbucks was the largest global roaster and retailer of coffee with more than 12,000 retail stores in 60 countries, some 3,000 of which are to be found in forty countries outside the United States. Looking forward, the company expects 50% of all new store opening to be outside the United States.In 2006, Starbucks closed a decade of astounding financial performance with increasing sales from $697 million to 7. 8 billion, net profit from $36 million to 40 million and ROIC was 25.

5%. These superior financial performances resulted from the excellent coffeehouse format with designing stores to create a relaxed, informal, and comfortable atmosphere and selling premium roasted coffee, freshly brewed espresso-style coffee beverages, a variety of pastries, coffee accessories, teas, and other products in a coffeehouse setting.This also resulted from superior customer services through highly trained and progressively compensated employees; the strategy of owning stores rather than making franchising arrangement for the basic formula. Sophisticated location strategy, and successful exploration of foreign opportunities also contributed to the Starbucks financial performance. Case Discussion Question 1: Identify the resources, capabilities, and distinctive competencies of Starbucks ? Answer:- I) Resources: Resources of Starbucks include-Tangible Resources: Starbucks Corporation’s tangible resources include- 1.

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Design of stores: Design of Starbucks coffeehouse store was very much comfortable, relaxed, and an informal third place between Home and Workplace. 2. Premium location: They located their stores in premium location as possible before its competitors could. Intangible Resources: Intangible resources of Starbucks were as follows- 1. Superior brand name, and brand loyalty; 2. Experience and training of employees, 3.

Intellectual property-Basic formula of the product.II) Capabilities: Starbucks Corporation’s capabilities include- 1. Good organizational rules and procedures for managing operation; 2. Better hiring system and training program. 3. Service oriented values of the company; 4.

Progressive compensation policy. 5. Differentiated products and sophisticated demographic analysis. III) Distinctive Competencies: The above said resources and capabilities were strengths of Starbucks that allowed it to differentiate its products from those of rivals and achieve lower costs structures than its competitors.Distinctive competencies of Starbucks helped it achieve superior efficiency, product quality, and customer responsiveness which are the basis of competitive advantage in the Coffee Retailing Business. Starbucks Corporation’s distinctive competencies are given below- ? Establishment and management of Superior Coffeehouse (Coffee Store): Starbucks Corporation used a very sophisticated location strategy and demographic analysis to identify and capture the premium location for stores as possible its competitors could.

The company designed its store to create a relaxed, comfortable, and informal third place between home and work where customers could spend a very good time. ? Superior Management of Employees: Starbucks used employee hiring and training program that were the best in the restaurant industry. It provides progressive compensation policies including stock options and medical benefits which increased the motivation of the employees to provide the best customer services. These various incentive programs and hiring strategy helped them to manage employees effectively. Preference to Owing Stores rather than Making Franchising Arrangements: Starbucks prefer owning stores for their own rather than performing franchise arrangements with other companies for the basic formula that appears to work.

? Ability to Provide Superior Customer Services and Best-Known Brands: Starbucks were able to provide superior customer services in selling its various premium products through highly trained and motivated employees. This superior customer services had resulted in the creation of the best-known brand name and customer loyalty which generated enormous volume of repeat business for the company.Case Discussion Question 2: Answer:- Starbuck took strategy to sell coffee in a unique way of delivering better service. With their strategy they have built some resources such as unique design of their stores, premier location, superior brand name, experience and training of the employees and basic formula of the product and they have also developed some capabilities such as good organizational rules and procedures, better hiring system, training program, service oriented values and progressive compensation policy.The resources coupled with the capabilities developed by the strategy of the company have given Starbucks to develop some distinctive competencies of unique service delivering process, superior management of employees, preference to owing stores and ability to provide superior customer services. These distinctive competencies are giving Starbucks competitive advantage.

As a result, with these competitive advantages, they have developed a unique brand name and efficient service delivery system.Their efficient service delivery system and high employee productivity have given them economies of scale and have lowered their cost structure. Their products and services are high in quality. Their customer responsiveness is also superior as they have developed their products services according to the need of the customers. The benefit of superior efficiency, superior quality, superior process innovation and superior customer responsiveness has been reflected in the sales of the country and their low customer defection rate helped them to retain their customers.They have now captured a large share of the market and have been able to make their customers buy repeatedly.

This is shown in the following. Competitive advantage to Value creation and superior financial performance: Competitive advantage leads to superior profitability which results in superior financial performance. At most basic level, how profitable a company becomes depends on three factors: (1) the value Case Discussion Question 3: How secure is Starbucks competitive advantage? What are the barriers to imitation? Answer:- The extent of security of Starbucks’ competitive advantage: Low |Moderate |High | |Store designing |Employee hiring |Compensation policies | |Customer services |Training program |Product formula quality | |Premium location |Detailed demographic analysis |Exploration of foreign opportunities | | | |Very limited franchising arrangements | Low:- Starbucks’ comfortable and informal design and premium location of stores are tangible resources so rival groups can easily build these by following them. Where identical customer services can be provided by rivals by easily visiting the stores and following them. Moderate:- As hiring and training programs are developed by committed executives so it is rare to be copied by rivals.

Most competitors lack the abilities to assess the market and to choose premium location by making detailed demographic analysis. High:-Compensation policies like medical benefits and stock option even for part time employees are costly that everybody cannot provide these. Product formula and quality are protected by limited franchising and strong observation. Exploring foreign opportunities are not feasible for all. ———————– Design of stores Premium location Superior brand name Experience and training of employees Basic formula of the product Good organizational rules and procedures Better hiring system Training program Service oriented values Progressive compensation policy Unique service delivering process Superior Management of Employees Preference to Owing Stores Ability to Provide Superior Customer Services Strategy Competitive Advantage Superior Financial Performance

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Starbucks – Case Solution

This case study analysis focuses on the identification and examination of the forces in the competitive environment surrounding Starbucks and the company's ability in relation to the coffee industry. It discusses the core competencies of Starbucks and the alternatives and opportunities for growing its retail operations.

​Mary M. Crossan; Ariff Kachra Harvard Business Review ( 98M006-PDF-ENG ) June 18, 1998

Case questions answered:

Case study questions answered in the first solution:

• Section I: Situation Analysis. Write a summary of the situation of the market Starbucks is operating in at the time of the case. The purpose of the Situation Analysis is to frame the environment in which Starbucks is operating and planning to grow. In order to assist in this section, a copy of a well-respected tool entitled the 5Cs. This is a format you can use as a general reference in order to develop a picture of Starbucks’ opportunities and challenges.
• Section II: Starbucks Position. Describe Starbucks’ apparent position in the market. Describe the primary values that Starbucks brings to its target audience(s). Highlight critical features and attributes that make the Starbucks brand “real” and believable in the eyes of consumers.
• Section III: Options. In your analysis of the Market and Starbucks position, develop 3 options you believe Starbucks should consider as they move to expand and grow the business. Cite and briefly explain one primary reward that might be achieved for each option and one primary risk that might cause the option to fail.
• Section IV: Proposal. Develop a set of Guidelines for Starbucks management to follow in making decisions to adopt options and expand the business while staying true to the delivery of market expectations. This section should be reasonably specific as to the things and values Starbucks would want to include in any expansion of its brand, including internal growth and external opportunities (e.g., Frappuccino).

Case study questions answered in the second solution:

• What is your assessment of the impact of each of the five competitive forces on the retail coffee-house industry?
• Based on your assessment of these forces, how attractive is this industry? Explain your answer.

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Starbucks Case Answers

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Problem Statement – Starbucks Case Study

The problem statement, in this case, is trying to figure out where to take Starbucks from here.

Situational Analysis – The Starbucks Company

The market size and growth are consistently expanding, which means consumers are not worried about spending their money on quality drinks. Consumers’ perception of coffee has changed as the lifestyle behind coffee has changed.

If Starbucks tackles the international market, it would only benefit the company as it could be ahead of competitors and have the first mover’s advantage. Making sure they maintain their brand locally and internationally will increase consumers’ brand loyalty as well as their cash flow.

PESTEL Analysis

Political/legal.

Starbucks should keep in mind the  taxation policy. Some countries impose high taxation on farmers, for example. Any sort of fluctuation in taxes on supplies will be apparent in products and will affect consumers.

The company should also keep in mind trade regulations. Some countries like Argentina and Saudi Arabia have stricter laws when it comes to trade. The company needs to make sure, when it goes globally, that it keeps its mission, vision, and product intact while respecting the culture.

Starbucks needs to keep in mind certain aspects, such as the inflation rate, growth in average income, and the growth of the economy .

There are certain risks that come with going internationally. For example, if the economy stops growing as opposed to what the company predicts, then that could affect the business majorly. Consumers will not spend on the company’s products, and it will leave the company with a dent in its profitability.

Porter’s Five Forces: Competitive Rivalry

Starbucks has shown tremendous growth and strength in its brand. However, competitors are able to affect their success. The company’s US competitors are Green Mountain, Brothers, Coffee People, Diedrich, and other products such as juice, soft drinks, and non-coffee-related drinks.

As shown in Exhibit 1, the company seems to be the lead in the industry compared to U.S. and Canadian companies.

The company should keep in mind the consumers in order to beat any incoming competitor, whether it is a coffee drink, place, or a non-coffee drink. The mind of the market is based on consumers’ needs and wants, and based on that, the company should cater to the consumer.

At the same time, they should keep in mind their vision, mission, and environment while catering to their consumer.

Starbucks Position

Starbucks positions itself in the market as a…

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Starbucks Case Study - How Starbucks Conquered The Coffee Industry?

Devashish Shrivastava

Starbucks Corporation is an American coffee chain that was established in 1971 in Seattle, Washington. By mid-2019, the organization had a presence in over 30,000 areas around the world. Starbucks has been depicted as the fundamental delegate of "second wave espresso," a reflectively-named development that advanced high-quality espresso and specially simmered coffee. Starbucks now uses robotized coffee machines for proficiency and well-being.

Starbucks serves hot and cold beverages, entire bean espresso, micro-ground moment espresso known as VIA, coffee, caffe latte, full-and free leaf teas such as Teavana tea products, Evolution Fresh squeezes, Frappuccino refreshments, La Boulange baked goods, and bites (for example, chips and wafers); some offerings such as the Pumpkin Spice Latte are explicit to the territory of the store. Numerous Starbucks outlets sell pre-bundled nourishment items, sweltering and cold sandwiches, and drinkware such as cups and tumblers. Furthermore, there are Select "Starbucks Evenings" areas that offer brew, wine, and appetizers.

Starbucks first ended up productive in Seattle in the mid-1980s. Despite an underlying financial downturn with its venture into the Midwest and British Columbia in the late 1980s, the organization experienced rejuvenated success with its entrance into California in the mid-1990s. Starbucks opened an average of two new stores every day between 1987 and 2007. On December 1, 2016, Howard Schultz reported he would leave his position as the CEO and would be supplanted by Kevin Johnson. Johnson accepted the role of the CEO of Starbucks on April 3, 2017, and Howard Schultz resigned to end up as the 'Chairman Emeritus', effective from June 26, 2018. Kevin Johnson is currently serving as the CEO and President of Starbucks.

Starbucks - Company Highlights

Startup Story Of Starbucks Corporation History Of Starbucks Corporation Starbucks - Name and Logo Starbucks Expansion Journey Starbucks Corporation in India Business Strategy Of Starbucks In India Products Of Starbucks Corporation Business Growth Of Starbucks Corporation Over The Years Future Plans Of Starbucks Corporation

Startup Story Of Starbucks Corporation

If you are wondering how did Starbucks start? Then, the story of Starbucks started back in 1971, when the company was a roaster and retailer of whole bean and ground coffee, tea and spices with a single store in Seattle’s Pike Place Market.

Zev Siegel stated that at that time he knew the coffee industry inside and out, he was well-versed, especially with the gourmet end of the industry. Besides, he was also known as the most educated coffee guy in the country at that time. So, the three college friends - Zev Siegel, Jerry Baldwin and Gordon, started out with their coffee bean shop and roastery at Seattle’s famous Pike Place Market in 1971. Eventually, they found a mentor in Alfred Peet, who was the founder of Peet’s Coffee and the man responsible for bringing custom coffee roasting to the U.S. and started with the coffee business in full swing. Starbucks initially began by selling coffee beans that were roasted by Peet's, a gourmet coffee company in Berkeley, California, and later on, started roasting on their own.

History Of Starbucks Corporation

The first Starbucks store was initiated in 1971 in Washington by 3 individuals who met while they were studying at the University of San Francisco: English educator Hun Baldwin, history educator Zev Siegl, and author Gordon Bowker. The trio was encouraged to sell top-notch espresso beans and hardware after businessman Alfred Peet showed them his style of simmering beans.

During this time, the organization sold simmered, entire espresso beans. During its first year of activity, Starbucks bought green espresso beans from Peet's, and then started purchasing legitimately from producers.

Starbucks - Name and Logo

Bowker reviews that Terry Heckler, with whom Bowker claimed a publicizing office, thought words starting with "st" were ground-breaking. The organizers conceptualized a rundown of words starting with "st" and in the long run arrived on "Strabo," a mining town in the Cascade Range. The team then finalized on "Starbuck," the name of the young chief mate in the book "Moby-Dick".

Starbucks has given too many slogans/taglines already among which the most popular one is - " Brewed for those who love coffee".

Starbucks Expansion Journey

In 1984, the first proprietors of Starbucks, driven by Jerry Baldwin, acquired Peet's. During the 1980s, all-out offers of espresso in the US were falling. However, offers of strength espresso expanded, shaping 10% of the market in 1989; it stood at just 3% in terms of market share in 1983. By 1986, the organization worked six stores in Seattle and had just barely started to sell coffee.

In 1987, the first proprietors sold the Starbucks chain to the previous manager Howard Schultz, who rebranded his II Giornale espresso outlets as Starbucks and immediately extended. Starbucks then launched its outlets outside Seattle at Waterfront Station in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Chicago, Illinois. By 1989, 46 stores existed over the Northwest and Midwest, and every year Starbucks was simmering more than 2,000,000 pounds (907,185 kg) of coffee. At the hour of its first sale of stock (IPO) on the financial exchange in June 1992, Starbucks had 140 outlets with an income of $73.5 million, up from $1.3 million in 1987.

The organization's fairly estimated worth was $271 million at this point. The 12% segment of the organization that was sold raised around $25 million for the organization, which encouraged a multiplying of the number of stores throughout the following two years. By September 1992, Starbucks' offer cost had ascended by 70% to more than multiple times the income per portion of the past year. In July 2013, over 10% of in-store buys were made on the client's cell phones utilizing the Starbucks app.

The organization used the versatile social media stage when it propelled the "Tweet-a-Coffee" campaign in October 2013. People had the option to buy a $5 gift voucher for a companion by entering both "@tweetacoffee" and the companion's handle in a tweet. Research firm Keyhole observed the advancement of the event and a media article from December 2013 detailed that Starbucks had discovered that 27,000 individuals had taken an interest and $180,000 of buys were made to date.

As of 2018, Starbucks is positioned 132nd on the Fortune 500 rundown of the biggest United States organizations by revenue. In July 2019, Starbucks announced a "monetary second from last quarter total compensation of $1.37 billion, or $1.12 per share, up from $852.5 million, or 61 pennies for each offer, a year sooner." The organization's fairly estimated worth of $110.2 billion expanded by 41% in the middle of 2019. The income per share in quarter three was recorded at 78 pennies, considerably more than the estimate of 72 cents.

Starbucks Corporation in India

In January 2011, Starbucks Corporation and Tata Coffee reported designs to start opening Starbucks outlets in India. Despite a bogus beginning in 2007, in January 2012, Starbucks declared a 50:50 joint endeavour with Tata Global Beverages, called Tata Starbucks Ltd. , which would possess and work outlets marked "Starbucks, A Tata Alliance". Starbucks had endeavoured to enter the Indian market in 2007. However, it didn't provide any explanation behind its withdrawal of it.

It was on October 19, 2012 that Starbucks opened its first store, a 4,500 sq ft store in Elphinstone Building, Horniman Circle, Mumbai. Starbucks opened its first cooking and bundling plant in Coorg, Karnataka in 2013 to supply its Indian outlets. The company extended its reach to Delhi on 24 January 2013 by opening 2 outlets. Tata Global Beverages declared in 2013 that they would have 50 areas before the end of the year, with a venture of ₹4 billion ($58 million). The organization did open its 50th store in India on July 8, 2014.

The third city of India to get a Starbucks outlet was Pune, where the organization opened an outlet at Koregaon Park on 8 September 2013. Starbucks opened a 3,000-square-foot lead store at Koramangala, Bangalore on 22 November 2013, making it the fourth city to have an outlet. Starbucks opened the biggest espresso-forward store in the nation at Vittal Mallya Road, Bangalore on 18 March 2019. The store is estimated at 3,000 sq ft and is Starbucks' 140th outlet in India.

Tata Starbucks opened 25 stores between 2017 and 2018, which went up to 30 during 2018-19. On 21 February 2019, CEO Navin Gurnaney reported that Tata Starbucks would use only compostable and recyclable bundling materials over the entirety of its stores from June 2020.

Starbucks reported its entrance in Gujarat on 7 August 2019. The organization opened five stores in Surat and Ahmedabad the following day. Starbucks' leader store in the state is situated at Prahlad Nagar, Ahmedabad, and offers more vegan alternatives than other Indian outlets. CEO Navin Gurnaney expressed that the organization would open more than 30 stores in the 2019-20 financial year, of which 11 have already been opened.

Business Strategy Of Starbucks In India

Starbucks' strategies for business in India seemed rock-solid but the brand wasn't completely immune still. In any case, the world's biggest bistro chain is building its position cautiously via a progression of well-picked steps. Numerous worldwide brands have entered India since the 1990s, being pulled in by its developing and optimistic customer base. Yet, not all have succeeded.

Starbucks isn't the primary contestant in India's composed espresso showcase; so it doesn't have any first-participant advantage. Cafe Coffee Day (CCD) is the market head while Barista Lavazza was the main espresso chain to open for business. Both are valued by the white-collar class. Costa Coffee, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (CBTL), and Gloria Jean are valued by the rich group in India.

India is customarily a tea-drinking nation, so espresso chains have concentrated on giving a feel where individuals can unwind and invest energy with one another. This setup implies higher capital expenses. It is different from the US, where the vast majority have a liking for espresso. The Indian buyer base has likewise advanced in the recent decade. What can worldwide brands like Starbucks do to augment their odds of achievement in India? Here are a few thoughts:

Picking a Local Partner

Worldwide brands face the difficult choice of either going solo or tying up with a nearby accomplice. Starbucks' choice to team up with India's TATA Global Beverages demonstrates attention to utilizing different advantages. The TATA Group is one of India's morally determined brands, an observation passed on about Starbucks India too.

Given that India produces espresso beans in just a couple of spots, the other sourcing alternative was bringing in the beans. Be that as it may, this would have raised costs fundamentally.

Tata's espresso plant in Karnataka has been contracted to supply beans to Starbucks' universally, making common cooperative energies. It has contracted to take into account TATA's TAJ SATS, which supplies to TATA's top-notch lodging network – The TAJ. The TATAs are put into the retail part with store brands like Westside, Tanishq, Croma, Star Bazaar, and so forth. Starbucks can use them for information sharing on Indian land, territory points of interest, and handling land administrations. This would enable its very own development to outline. This strategy gives scope for store-in-store deals.

Consistency in Store Arrangements

This keeps up the one-of-a-kind selling purpose of customer experience and allows to pick up economies of scale on CAPEX. Starbucks plans to have a similar store group crosswise over India. However, the size can change depending on financial matters. This is how it works all around. Starbucks wants to provide an agreeable 'café' experience. Having a similar organization gives clients the solace of accepting the equivalent 'Starbucks' vibe any place they go throughout the world.

Keeping the store designs steady means it needs to pick and open new areas stringently, to such an extent that the area can yield a throughput by the venture. Its methodology in-store arrangement is different from CCD, which has picked various configurations to tap the potential interest in any region. CCD has opened a couple of premium outlets dependent on the area's customer profile . It has additionally gone for non-store organizations like takeaway booths and candy machines. Be that as it may, Starbucks may expect that such non-store configurations may weaken its image esteem.

Estimating the Pace of Expansion

India is the place where an inability to screen primary concerns has tossed numerous organizations out of the rigging. So, a top-line just approach doesn't work here. Since Starbucks needs to pick new areas stringently by its equivalent configuration approach, it has decided on a deliberate pace of extension. It is concentrating on the budgetary feasibility of every outlet, as opposed to going for an aggressive development plan which may have brought about rehashed calls for capital.

This operational process is different from its system in the USA and China where it has fabricated scale by opening stores in pretty much every area – being the main port-of-call for espresso by basically being all over the place. CCD's methodology behind adaptable store organizations was to guarantee there is a CCD bistro at a simple reach. It is intriguing to check its normal store gainfulness given its scale.

Guaranteeing Top-Authority Backing and Responsibility

Top initiative responsibility from the two sides of the organization, Tata and Starbucks, has been plentifully clear. Starbucks took as much time as is needed to enter the market (6 years), recognizing that India was a mind-boggling market and required cautious passage arranging. The two sides have spoken finally about their dedication and shared their future plans to give their business a new direction toward growth.

Altering Contributions to Suit Indian Market and Client Needs

Being adjusted to Indian culture, tastes, and inclinations conveyed at a suitable "esteem" guarantees customer importance, construct, and continued utilization. Starbucks mirrors this comprehension – as observed through a blend of western staples, a wide scope of intriguing Indian tidbits similar to confined refreshments on the idea. Since its experience ( and item as well, however to a lesser degree) is its image guarantee, its test lies in conveying an all-around steady, yet locally significant brand experience.

The stores, or the "third spot" as Starbucks calls them, have been altered likewise. The stores don't pursue the worldwide layout and appear to have been planned with consideration, with neighbourhood contacts consolidated. Stores in various urban communities have been structured unexpectedly, mirroring the neighbourhood culture – for e.g., New Delhi's store has ropes and chat on the dividers and henna designs on the floor, though the Pune store has a rich showcase of collectables and copper.

There appears to be sufficient utilization of shading – something missing in the US. The stores have been intended to convey a particular, premium café experience, predictable, and in a state of harmony with the one conveyed over the rest of the world.

Making Inventive and Restricted Plan of Action

Starbucks appears to have made a confined plan of action, planned for conveying a universally reliable item and involvement with locally-focused costs. The Tata group conveys a major sourcing advantage (attributable to its quality over the generation chain, developing, broiling, and exchanging espresso), yet it has just gone past that to develop and support associations with nearby espresso cultivators – putting resources into structure economical cultivating rehearses. All of Starbucks' espresso is sourced locally, a first-ever for the organization.

Scaling up using Arrangements and Organizations

The Tata organization is the genuine overthrow in the Starbucks passage story. Having Tata as an accomplice is gigantically profitable, not due to the validity and strength it offers, or because it coordinates the scale and stature of Starbucks as an organization.

It offers numerous advantages catalyzing pretty much every market section achievement variable - for example, The Tata group has involvement in the retail business , a solid reputation in advancing new pursuits, gives a sourcing advantage through Tata espresso, offers access to high traffic areas using its lodgings and other retail outlets, guarantee excellent nourishment and refreshment supply through its F&B business and so forth.

Furthermore, the potential for an effective organization is amazingly high given Starbucks' and Tata's mutual qualities – the two of them have a solid social inner voice and are resolved to "give back" to the general public and network.

Influencing India for Worldwide Items

Not long after it finished its first year, Starbucks reported that it was serving top-quality Indian Arabica espresso as "Indian coffee" in different markets. Another world-class office for cooking and bundling has just been initiated in Coorg, Karnataka; the results of which are to be analyzed in India and abroad.

Overseeing Discernment and Guidelines

This viewpoint is tied in with structure, a solid positive observation and a picture for the business and brand crosswise over key outer partners and crowds – incorporating the administration, corporate accomplices, networks inside the eco-framework, and customers on the loose. Given what Starbucks has figured out how to accomplish in a year and a half since dispatch, it appears to be genuinely evident that its thought combined with the Tata advantage (critical reach and impact) has helped in developing solid connections and a positive picture with key outside partners and voting demographics.

Engage Nearby Association

Starbucks is by all accounts constructing a nation-explicit activity with nearby individuals in charge and overall unmistakable customer interface focuses, giving them the necessary position to coordinate and work. There is overwhelming interest in enlisting the perfect individuals and giving the essential preparation – to install and instil the organization's culture and administration models.

Along these lines, how has Starbucks fared against the McKinsey spread out variables for long-haul India achievement? Its accomplishments against the scorecard look noteworthy. With thorough vigorous passage arranging and brilliant and quick execution, the multi-month-old endeavour appears to have impressive force, making purchaser and network-driven ventures and focused on sustaining its centre business and brand. It appears to be very much set to "win" in India.

Whether Starbucks will collect a huge piece of the overall industry and accomplish its objective of India being among its best 5 markets over the long haul is not yet clear. It's still early days, yet for the organization, this appears to be an incredible beginning and a great globalization model for multinationals looking for an India section.

Products Of Starbucks Corporation

Aside from the typical items offered globally, Starbucks in India has some Indian-style item contributions, for example, Tandoori Paneer Roll, Chocolate Rossomalai Mousse, Malai Chom Tiramisu, Elaichi Mewa Croissant, Chicken Kathi Roll, and Murg Tikka Panini to suit Indian customers. All coffees sold in Indian outlets are produced using Indian broiled espressos by Tata Coffee. Starbucks additionally sells Himalayan packaged mineral water. Free Wi-Fi is accessible at all Starbucks stores.

In January 2017, Tata Starbucks presented Starbucks' tea image "Teavana". Teavana offers 18 unique assortments of tea in India. One of the assortments called the India Spice Majesty Blend was explicitly created for the Indian market and is just accessible in India. India Spice Majesty Blend is a mix of full leaf Assam dark tea injected with entire cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, pepper, star anise, and ginger. On 15 June 2015, Tata Starbucks reported that it was suspending the utilization of fixings that had not been affirmed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The organization didn't indicate what the fixings were or which items they were utilized in. The organization additionally expressed that it was applying for FSSAI endorsement for these ingredients.

As per the Latte Index positioning of the expense of a tall hot latte at Starbucks in 44 nations, India was the fifth most costly nation to buy the drink dependent on January 2016 costs. The record distributed by US-based buyer research firm ValuePenguin found that a tall hot latte cost $7.99 in India, far higher than the $2.75 it costs in the least expensive nation, the United States, yet much lower than the $12.32 in the most costly nation, Russia .

Tata Starbucks propelled the Starbucks Delivers program in mid-2019. The administration offers home conveyance from Starbucks outlets through an organization with Swiggy. The administration was first propelled in Mumbai, with designs to turn it out to other cities.

In its menu, the Tata Starbucks company has launched ice-creams as their new products. The frozen delights are available even in flavours like java chip and caramel macchiato among others and will come in takeaway tubs and single scoops. The ice-creams are now available in 50-60% of the Starbucks stores.

Business Growth Of Starbucks Corporation Over The Years

Tata Starbucks, a 50:50 joint endeavour between Tata Global Beverages and Starbucks Coffee of the US, has announced a 30%  top-line development in financial 2018-19, driven by new store openings and improved execution. Tata Starbucks, which is hoping to make back the initial investment in the current money, has opened 146 stores to date. Tata Starbucks announced "twofold digit top-line development - 30% for the entire year, driven by new stores and improved store execution," Tata Global Beverages Ltd (TGBL) said in a financial specialists' introduction. Tata Starbuck's income for 2018-19 is required to be approximately INR 450 crores.

TGBL said Tata Starbucks opened 30 outlets in the past financial year, out of which 15 new stores were opened during the last quarter of the money-related year. The organization claimed detailed benefits at the store level; all urban areas were likewise productive, and additionally saw an ascend in nourishment share in general deals.

The Starbucks company has added around 40 stores in FY21 but the company had recorded a 33% Y-O-Y  fall in its revenues during the same fiscal. According to the Sushant Dash, CEO of Tata Starbucks, the recovery that the company has seen after the second wave of COVID-19 was better than what it saw after the first wave of the deadly pandemic. The quarterly growth after Q2 FY22 was 120% more than what it saw during the same period in the previous fiscal. The company has hugely focused on home deliveries ever since the pandemic broke out. It has already addressed concerns associated with the spillage and other challenges pertaining to home delivery, which contributed to over 18% of the total sales that the company witnessed this fiscal, as per the reports in November 2021. Furthermore, the company has also added ice-creams to their menu in flavours like java chip and caramel macchiato. The Sanjeev Kapoor menu is another thing that has been freshly launched by Tata Starbucks. Besides, the company also launched a one-litre freshly brewed beverage and at-home coffee.  

Future Plans Of Starbucks Corporation

Tata Starbucks Pvt. Ltd. is looking to forcefully grow its impression in the Indian market with its eyes on the quickly spreading "espresso culture" among the twenty to thirty-year-olds and upwardly versatile customers. Tata Starbucks, a JV between US-based Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Global Beverages Ltd, hopes to set up altogether more number stores this monetary than it did previously.

Starbucks is hopeful about solid business development in India throughout the following year as it means to leave red in monetary numbers after 2020. "Our proceeded with development in topline and reasonable methodology towards extension will enable us to accomplish make back the initial investment by March 2020," Navin Gurnaney, CEO, Tata Starbucks disclosed to Business Line in the wake of declaring five new stores in Gujarat - three in Ahmedabad and two in Surat. Gurney likewise included, "First time in quite a while, we are opening five stores in any state in one go.

Gujarat is a significant market for us. In the wake of opening these five stores on Thursday, the all outnumber of hides away goes up to 157 in India." Starbucks entered India with its first store opened at Mumbai in 2012. Of the 157, the organization has opened all out 11 stores so far in this financial, as against complete 30 stores opened during 2018-19. It takes into account 270,000 clients each week in India. The organization had announced a turnover of INR 442 crores for the monetary 2018-19.

"Espresso business in India is developing significantly. The espresso culture is being initiated by recent college grads, upwardly versatile, and individuals who travel and get brand. Two years back, we set up 25 stores (in a year). During the last financial 2018-19, we included 30 stores.

This year we will beat that number considerably and by end of March 2020, we will have included a lot a greater number of stores than we included in the past," Gurney said. With per store venture prerequisites being evaluated at INR 1.7-2 crores, the complete CAPEX plan by the organization works out in overabundance of INR 50 crores during current monetary on the off chance that it opens more number of stores than a year ago. Be that as it may, Gurnaney ceased from giving venture figures for 2019-20.

The organization is likewise open to different open doors for development including inorganic development through acquisitions. Be that as it may, when tested about any probability of a venture plan in the espresso chain Cafe Coffe Day (CCD), Gurnaney denied estimating any discussions for securing. "We are very hopeful about India. We will be attentively forceful (to extend). (At present) we are not in discussions with anyone for obtaining.

In any case, we are hoping to develop constantly," he included. With an end goal to upgrade the client experience, Starbucks is presenting new nourishment things, taking into account all client needs including breakfast and lunch. The income share from nourishment things is right now around 25%, even as it keeps on developing with new things to meet the client's needs.

Who founded Starbucks?

Starbucks was started by Hun Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker in 1971.

Where was the first Starbucks started?

Starbucks was started in Pike Place Market, Seattle, Washington, United States.

When was Starbucks started in India?

Starbucks was launched in India in 2012.

What is the revenue of Starbucks?

Starbucks revenue was recorded $29.02 billion in 2021.

How many Starbucks stores are there worldwide?

There are 33,830 Starbucks stores in the world as of 2021.

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[Solved]Starbucks Delivering Customer Service Case Study Solution: 5 Questions answered

Starbucks Delivering Customer Service case study comes from HBR. A link to the original case can be found here . The case can be analyzed from the perspectives of marketing, sales improvement, and from a strategic investment point of view. The company is contemplating a strategic investment of $40 Mn to bolster its systems and process to cater to the needs of new customers. We can also analyze Starbucks delivering customer service case study from the standpoint of future organizational vision and reinventing a brand

For more such solved case studies as the Starbucks Delivering Customer Service case study, please follow the link

Starbucks delivering customer service case study summary

In 1971, Gerald Baldwin, Gordan Bowker, and Ziev Siegl established a small shop in Seattle’s market. The company excelled at selling whole Arabica beans to coffee purists, a niche market. In 1982, Schultz joined Starbucks. A few years later, Schultz purchased the company. After he ascended to power, new stores opened. Starbucks delivering customer service Case Study also narrates the story of the owners and their vision for the organization in order to deliver a unique customer value

The organization went public. Both whole-bean coffee and coffee with a higher price tag were sold at the stores. By 1992, Starbucks had 140 stores in the Pacific Northwest and Chicago and was competing favorably with smaller coffee chains such as Gloria Jean’s Coffee Bean and Barnie’s Coffee & Tea. In 2002, Starbucks was the most well-known specialty coffee brand in North America. The company’s annual sales and net income grew at a rate of 40% and 50%, respectively. The company had over 5,000 stores worldwide and over 20 million customers.

It focused primarily on marketing at the point of sale and in local stores. The slogan “live coffee” encapsulated Starbucks’ brand positioning. It demonstrated how vital it was to preserve the national coffee culture , which provided customers with a “ experience” comprised of the coffee, the service, and the atmosphere. They were all baristas and were referred to as “partners. ” They believed that if partners were satisfied, so would customers. Consequently, employee turnover was low. When a partner was hired, he or she was required to complete “hard skills” and “soft skills” training in order to connect with customers more effectively.

Several types of matrices, such as monthly status reports and self-reported checklists, were used to evaluate the performance of the service. In addition, they had a mystery shopper program known as “customer overview The shopper rated four “fundamental services.” The company’s goal was to become “the most recognizable and esteemed brand in the world.” Starbucks vice president Christine Day devised a plan to invest an additional $40 million per year in the company’s 4,500 locations. This equates to an additional 20 hours of work per week. They are unsure whether to believe what customers say about customer service and its impact on sales and profits.

Starbucks Delivering Customer Service case study: What Contributed to the exceptional positioning of Starbucks in the Coffee Segment?

The extraordinary success of Starbucks in the early 1990s can be attributed to Howard Schultz, who added value propositions to the company by enhancing its services and adding quality to them. Schultz believed that coffee drinking creates an experience in the customer’s mind known as “the third place.”

Contributing to Starbucks’ extraordinary success in the 1990s were:

Starbucks works directly with its growers to maintain the superior quality of its coffee beans, and because all of its stores are company-owned, they are able to maintain tight control over its products and services.

Starbucks trains its partners in both hard and soft skills prior to hiring them in order to foster positive relationships with its customers. They instructed their employees on how to interact with customers by smiling, making eye contact, and remembering their names and preferences.

• The Customers : Their ‘Just Say Yes’ policy encourages partners to provide the best service possible, even if it exceeds company regulations, and their three-minute serving time enhanced customer satisfaction.
• Partner satisfaction : Schultz referred to Starbucks’ employees as “Partners,” and the company provides even entry-level employees with health insurance and company stock as a form of incentive. They believe that customer satisfaction depends on the satisfaction of their partners, which is why the company has one of the lowest employee turnover rates in the industry as a result of their promotion strategy of promoting partners within their rank and approximately 70% of the company store manager was an ex-partner.
•  The atmosphere of Starbucks stores : Schultz’s intention is to create a drinking coffee experience, where people drink coffee not only for its taste and quality but also to enjoy the experience. It is a place where people come to relax and enjoy social interaction, which is why they have comfortable seating areas and the layout of their stores is inviting.
• Location of the stores: Starbucks stores are situated in high-traffic areas such as office buildings, shopping centers, and university campuses.

The store’s value proposition is so compelling because they provide high-quality premium coffee and services to their customers as a result of their highly controlled supply chain strategy. In addition, they serve additional menu items such as pastries, soda, and juice, and they regularly launch new products. They are so focused on their services that they are familiar with their customers if they frequent the establishment, and their attributes, ambiance, and seating environment are an added value proposition.

Starbucks Delivering Customer Service case study: What Factors led to the decline of Customer Satisfaction Scores in the Early 1990s?

The customer satisfaction rating for Starbucks has dropped as a result of a gap between the company’s primary attributes and the expectations that customers have for the brand. Paying a premium price for Starbucks did not make a whole lot of sense because the chain does not stand out in terms of either its image or its products when compared to other, smaller coffee shop chains.

Customers started believing that Starbucks had entered a money-making industry and that the company placed a higher priority on shop expansion than on their satisfaction. On many occasions, “service enhancement” and “service speed” were the areas that required the most improvement. Also shown in the presentation is the fact that 11.34 percent of people believe that improvements to the services they receive could make them feel more valued.

• As shown in Exhibit 10, the majority of respondents (83 percent) believe that maintaining a clean environment is an essential component in achieving high levels of customer satisfaction.

• Because seventy-seven percent of customers placed a high premium on convenience, Starbucks made it a point to open multiple locations across the country.

• Seventy-five percent of customers ranked being treated as a valuable customer as extremely important for the generation of customer happiness, and Starbucks partners made certain to remember their customers’ names, welcome them, and inquire about their preferred drink modification preferences, among other things.

Because of this, asserting that the company’s service has worsened in recent years would be an exaggeration, given that consumers continue to give Starbucks high marks in a variety of other categories. However, Starbucks is becoming increasingly concerned about the lengthening wait times.

Because Starbucks is more concerned with the value of its brand, expansion, and profit than with how customers perceive its coffee, the customer snapshot is not an ideal instrument for measuring customer happiness.

Starbucks Delivering Customer Service case study: How did Customer Transform from 1992 to the early 2000s?

The average customer in 2002 was younger than the average customer in 1992, and the average customer in 2002 had less education than the average customer in 1992.

•In 1992, Starbucks’ customers were mostly wealthy people, but by 2002, they also included people with lower incomes.

• The market research team also found that customers used stores, in the same way, no matter where they were or how they were set up.

• In the research, it was also found that the most frequent customers came in an average of 18 times a month, but the average customer only came in five times a month.

• The research team also found out that Starbucks’ customers had changed from wealthy, well-educated, white-collar women between the ages of 24 and 44 to younger customers with less education who wanted more options and took more work to please.

Is it advisable for Starbucks to Invest $40 Mn in its stores and staff? What is the rationale behind the investment and share a mathematical model to justify the investment?

The investment plan called for “relaxing the labor-hour restrictions in the stores” in order to increase the amount of available labor in each store by 20 hours per week at an additional annual cost of $40 million.

Starbucks Delivering Customer Service case study: Breakeven Calculations

Analysis of the Profitability of the Investment Plan Investment per Store = $40,000,000 / 5886 stores = $6795.8 per store

$172 is the revenue difference between customers who are satisfied and customers who are extremely satisfied.

For each location to be profitable, $6795.8 must be divided by 172, which equals forty customers. There are 570 customers who shop at each location on a daily basis.

For the company to become profitable, 40 of its 570 existing customers must be upgraded from satisfied to extremely satisfied. Therefore, Starbucks is recommended to invest $40 million in order to increase service speed and decrease the number of satisfied customers who become dissatisfied.

As there is a direct correlation between satisfied customers and loyal customers, this would result in the consumer base’s long-term commitment.

Starbucks Delivering Customer Service case study: The rationale behind the  investment

The objective of investing $40 million in labor was to maximize customer satisfaction by converting satisfied customers into highly satisfied customers, thereby increasing revenue. This was accomplished by increasing the level of satisfaction of satisfied customers. Exhibit 10 displays the results of the 2002 consumer survey conducted by Starbucks. According to the survey, approximately 65 percent of Starbucks’ customers consider prompt service to be one of the most important factors in determining their level of satisfaction with their Starbucks coffee experience.

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Top 15 Starbucks Interview Questions (Example Answers Included)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

Once upon a time, people balked at the idea of a $5 cup of coffee. “No way will people pay that,” many thought, “especially since you can get a cup of joe for $1 or less.” Well, they may have seemed true, but it turned out it wasn’t. Starbucks took the nation by storm.

If you want to work for the company that proved $5 isn’t too much for a great cup of coffee, you’ll need to nail your Starbucks interview questions. When you do, you can join the 346,000 team members, potentially in about a week .

That’s right. The company that’s powered by java has a speedy (caffeine-powered?) hiring process if they have a current opening. You won’t have a lot of time to prepare once you submit an application. That’s why it’s smart to start preparing for your Starbucks interview now.

But what if you already applied? Are you doomed? No, of course not. We have your back. If you want to make sure you are ready to shine when you answer the Starbucks interview questions, here’s everything you need to know.

How to Answer Starbucks Interview Questions                                                    

Alright, you’re probably wondering, “Where are those Starbucks interview questions I came here for?” We promise; they are coming. The trick is, simply knowing what you might be asked isn’t enough; you need to know how to answer any question you might face.

When you interview for a company, you want to make sure your answers speak their language. You have to align your approach with Starbucks’ priorities. While that may sound challenging, it doesn’t have to be. With the right interview strategy, you can do it.

So, let’s talk about strategy. If you want to be ready to knock the hiring manager’s socks off, research is a must.

Begin by scouring the Starbucks job description for the position you’re trying to land. Pay special attention to the “must-haves list” if they have one. It outlines precisely what the hiring manager is trying to find. If you can show them that you bring all or most of those skills and traits to the table, you’re increasing your odds of being selected.

After that, you want to dig deeper. Starbucks tries to craft a particular culture, so you can stand out if you can showcase that you’d fit in well if you’re chosen for the position. To do that, you need to learn about Starbucks’ culture. On a good note, that isn’t particularly difficult.

Usually, you can learn a ton about a company’s culture by turning to a few resources. Start by heading to the Starbucks website and reviewing the company’s mission and values statements. Those tidbits are reflections of the company’s priorities, which influence their culture.

Next, review the social media accounts. Most businesses use their social media accounts to showcase their employer brand, at least to a degree. Plus, it gives them a place to highlight the company’s accomplishments, community contributions, and more. You’ll learn a surprising amount about Starbucks’ culture if you just spend a little time looking around.

Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to put that information to work. How do you do that? By incorporating relevant points into your answers.

In some cases, that’s incredibly easy. When a Starbucks interview question is straightforward – like, “Do you have skill X?” – figuring out what to say is simple. If you have the skill, you confirm that you do. Then, you back that up with an example that proves you aren’t just saying “yes” because that’s what they want to hear.

Even if you don’t have the skills, the right approach isn’t hard to nail. Be honest and say that you don’t, but don’t stop there. Instead, either discuss that you’d like to have the skills, how you would acquire the capabilities, or steps you are currently taking to improve in that area. Any of those approaches show you are willing to learn, so it can be effective.

Alright, we’ve covered how to handle the straightforward questions. But what about those tricky behavioral interview questions ? For those, a “yes” or “no” answer won’t work. Plus, in many cases, there technically isn’t a “right” or “wrong” answer. What’s a candidate to do?

Well, first, don’t panic. With the right formula, you can shine when you answer those Starbucks interview questions, too.

And what is that formula? It’s this: STAR Method + Tailoring Method = Success.

When you combine the STAR and Tailoring methods, you can craft highly relevant, engaging, story-driven answers. It’s an excellent way to stand out from the competition, so many sure you spend time reviewing those techniques and putting them to work.

In fact we wanted to let you know that we created an amazing free cheat sheet that will give you word-for-word answers for some of the toughest interview questions you are going to face in your upcoming interview. After all, hiring managers will often ask you more generalized interview questions along with their position specific questions!

Click below to get your free PDF now:

Get Our Job Interview Questions & Answers Cheat Sheet!

FREE BONUS PDF CHEAT SHEET: Get our " Job Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet " that gives you " word-word sample answers to the most common job interview questions you'll face at your next interview .

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Top 3 Starbucks Interview Questions

Alright, now it’s time for what you’ve been waiting for… some Starbucks interview questions and answers.

While exactly what you’ll be asked is going to vary somewhat from one position or location to the next, many of the questions are very similar, especially for the customer-service roles . With that in mind, here’s a look at the top three Starbucks interview questions you might face.

1. How would you handle a customer who claims their drink order is wrong?

Every now and then, a customer is going to say that their drink is wrong; it’s simply a fact of working at Starbucks. In some cases, they’ll be metered about it. In others, they’ll go from zero to shouting in no time flat.

Since the situation is bound to arise, the hiring manager wants to know you can handle it. This question lets them assess whether you’d naturally take the right approach.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“If a customer said that their drink was wrong, I would first ask them to tell me about the issue. I’d need to know what they ordered originally as well as what is wrong with the beverage. If the drink was different from what they ordered, I would proceed with making the right one immediately. If the problem was more nuanced, I’d ask them to describe what they aren’t enjoying about the beverage. That way, if a specific kind of correction needed to be made, like an adjustment to the temperature, amount of flavoring, or something a bit nuanced, I could remake their drink to their satisfaction.”

2. If a customer picked up their drink, took a sip, and became visibly unhappy, but didn’t approach an employee about it, what would you do?

While some customers will confront employees immediately if they don’t think their beverage is perfect, many won’t. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be fallout. In the days of Yelp reviews and social media rants, you can’t guarantee that a customer won’t voice a complaint simply because they didn’t ask for a new drink.

Plus, businesses thrive when customers come back. A single bad experience might be enough to chase some people away, at least from that location.

With this question, the hiring manager is trying to figure out if you’ll be proactive if you spot a potential problem.

“If a customer didn’t seem happy with their drink, I would reach out and ask if they weren’t enjoying their beverage. My hope would be that they could describe what was wrong, giving me insight into what may have gone awry. Once I had that information, I would offer to remake their beverage right away, using their input as a guide for the next drink. That way, they could have a beverage they enjoy. It’s a simple step that could significantly improve their experience, so it’s one worth taking.”

3. What is your favorite drink at Starbucks?

There’s a decent chance the hiring manager is going to want to know what your typical Starbucks order looks like. Why? Well, it gives them a few insights.

First, it is an off-handed test of your product knowledge. Second, it lets them gauge your enthusiasm for your choice. Since hiring managers are going to prefer candidates that are passionate about the brand and well-informed about many of the options, this question is a simple way to separate good candidates from great ones.

It is important to note that this question can also take another form. During the interview, you may be given a free drink of your choosing. Then, you may be asked, “Why did you pick that drink?” It serves a similar purpose but uses a different approach.

Which drink (or drinks) you pick doesn’t matter; it’s all about describing why you enjoy it.

“My favorite Starbucks drink during the cooler months is the white chocolate mocha with whip. It gives me a pleasant pick-me-up but also feels like a treat. That makes it functional and indulgent, especially on a cold day. But, if it’s warmer, I enjoy the vanilla sweet cream cold brew. It’s rich, decadent, and gives me a great energy boost.”

12 More Starbucks Interview Questions

Here are 12 more Starbucks interview questions you might encounter when you meet with the hiring manager.

• Why do you want to work at Starbucks?
• How would you handle a rude customer?
• Tell me about a time you made a mistake. How did you fix it?
• If we run out of a product or ingredient, how would you explain the situation to a customer?
• Are you available during the early mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays?
• If you saw a coworker take $1 out of the register and put it in their pocket, what would you do?
• Can you describe a time where you went above and beyond for a customer? Why did you go the extra mile?
• How would you define excellent customer service?
• Which of your traits makes you best equipped to excel in this role?
• How would you describe your teamwork skills?
• Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced environment?
• If the customer line began to get long, and you were the only cashier, what steps would you take to get or keep the situation under control?

5 Good Questions to Ask at the End of a Starbucks Interview

When your interview begins to draw to a close, there’s a decent shot you’ll get to ask the hiring manager a few questions . You want to have a handful at the ready.

Because asking questions makes you seem engaged and enthusiastic about the job.

Plus, it’s a chance to find out critical details. Making sure the position is the right one for you is just as important as showing the hiring manager you’re the right person for the job. If you don’t know what to ask, here are five good questions to ask at the end of a Starbucks interview.

• What is the biggest challenge baristas here face on a daily basis?
• How would you describe an average day in this position? What about the most extreme day in this role?
• What skills or traits do all of your best employees have in common?
• Is there anything about working for Starbucks that surprised you when you were first hired?
• What training do new employees receive once they are hired?

Putting It All Together

Ultimately, all of the tips above can help you shine during your Starbucks interview. Embrace them! That way, you can showcase yourself as the amazing candidate you are, increasing your chances of landing the job.

FREE : Job Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet!

Download our " Job Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet " that gives you word-for-word sample answers to some of the most common interview questions including:

• What Is Your Greatest Weakness?
• What Is Your Greatest Strength?
• Tell Me About Yourself
• Why Should We Hire You?

Click Here To Get The Job Interview Questions & Answers Cheat Sheet

Check out our other articles in our Company Specific Interview Series:

• Amazon Interview Questions
• Costco Interview Questions
• Target Interview Questions
• Home Depot Interview Questions
• Lowe’s Interview Questions
• Salesforce Interview Questions
• Walmart Interview Questions
• Google Interview Questions

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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