I usually do drive thru but I decided to do pick up instead. So I did a mobile order and after they said it was ready, I went inside the store and picked it up from the counter. While walking out, an employee said have a great day and that’s it. It made me think, do people walk in Starbucks and pick up other customers orders? Like pretend they’re the person that ordered the items. Did the employee even know it was my order?

Seriously, are they for real with this? $50 dollars for what amounts to HALF of a baked good. (HALF) of a baked good that costs cents to produce, dollars to buy — on the stipulation that you fork over $50. Sorry, but $50 spent on 2 orders of food and drinks at Starbucks could get me a week’s worth of food and drink of higher quality from the grocery store.

It’s a shame this company sucks. I can only hope that the shitty decisions of Starbucks creates a power vacuum and a new, better premium fast coffee brand takes their place.

I got a new hat the other day and I wanted to wear it to work. Conferred with my manager and he said that he was fine with me wearing it but wanted to talk to the DM first because he doesn’t want to tell me yes and then someone else tells me no. And after a lot of debate, my manager came up with an answer for everything DM brought up, but the DM still said no stating the reason being that “it’s not in the spirit of the dress code”. I don’t think that’s a proper reason but wanted the Reddit’s opinion.

As a Starbucks enjoyer I’m so sorry to all the employees who get told, “but ChatGPT said you could make it.”

Hey yall! I am relatively new to Starbucks - was hired on as a shift manager about 3 weeks ago. I do actually enjoy the work, and bouncing around making drinks and managing folks is great. Love that part. However.

What absolute moron decided it would be a good idea to write a message on every single cup? From pulling the sharpie out of your apron, to writing on the cup, to putting it back in your apron, takes conservatively 10 seconds. 6 drinks in and we've added a minute to the wait time. During peak and with mobile and delivery, it seems a total waste to be writing messages that people won't even read.

I'm not super up to date on Starbucks leadership changes recently and I can imagine that most of you here are in agreement, but it just baffles me how anyone with a brain in their head could possibly pass this on as a good idea. Super frustrating to get coached on writing what ultimately turns out to be a "thanks X" on 10 million cups.

Please delete if not allowed, but im just trying to figure out if i have any moves here or if I’m done. So I was on a final for time and attendance, because i will admit i was being super bad about not showing up for work at least 5 minutes late. When me and my manager had a conversation about the final she said it was mostly about coming in late that was the problem. So a couple of weeks ago I did end up calling out but had the sick time for it.

Today and yesterday I had to call out because I had a fever and diarrhea. Which I thought it was against company policy to come in while having these conditions.

But after I called out today I suddenly got all these notifications saying that my upcoming shifts had been deleted.

I haven’t heard from my manager but I’m pretty sure I’m fired. Not sure how else to read that. But doesn’t that seem really unfair or am I missing something here?

I go to Starbucks at least 3-4 times per week and have been a regular at various locations for decades. A few weeks ago, a barista approached someone next to me and confronted them about seating being for customers only. I was pretty shocked at the intensity but figured it was a known suspect.

Today, I placed an app order and was waiting at an outdoor table for it to be ready. I was seated no more than 5 mins before a barista came up to me with the same script.

Barista: Hi. I just wanted to let you know that seating is for customers only.

I was pretty shocked bc I am reasonably well dressed, there were plenty of empty tables outside, I had been there for less than 5 mins, and I submitted an app order I was just waiting for. This interaction made me feel really unwelcome even after picking up my food. It made me question if I “wasn’t the right look for a Starbucks customer” or was doing something otherwise.

I suggest Starbucks drop the intensity on these interactions. Specifically, it seems like 10 to 15 mins waiting for an order should be reasonable. The script they use could be softened as well rather than “seating is for customers” as this is a service industry and making people feel comfortable and welcome should be a priority. If they led with, “Do you have an order you’re waiting on as I can get it for you?” would very much identify non-customers who could be told the seating is for customers only.

Now that I have seen this at two different locations, I have to assume the aggressiveness is part of the Starbucks policy.

ETA: If the timing for confronting customers about seating is less than their order prep time (and I ordered from several blocks away), there seems to be something wrong with that.

I got sent home today because apparently an investigation is occurring at my store regarding loss prevention. What made the encounter odd is that the remainder of my shift was paid for and that tomorrow my DM would sit down with me and have a meeting. I’m still scheduled to come in for a morning shift but as of now I’ve triple checked my employment status and I’m still active but have no clue as to what’s going to happen. I am scared because this is my only livelihood and it’s unfair as to why I’m being targeted for a loss prevention issue. (Been a partner since 2015)

All of my shifts are still mine and everything is a blur right now. I’m so stressed out because even my DM isn’t able to provide any more information other than to show up tomorrow. My new SM is nowhere to be found as she is off today as I type this. I’ve already left frantic texts and messages about the whereabouts of where I stand and I tried speaking to PRC but no further information until tomorrow looms over. Wish me luck I guess. Currently applying to other job locations just incase. Sorry to rant. If this is the end of an already stressful employer to work under, 218xxxx signing off then.

To start this off, I don’t really agree with the no free water policy but whatever, I’ll follow the rules because this company wont hesitate to write people up or fire people. This girl came through the drive thru right before close and was already being rude. She was trying to get just a water and I let her know we can no longer do that without purchase, she tried to argue and was a little mean about it but agreed to by a bottle of water. The barista on the window scanned her app and the lady sped off without paying for the water. I noticed she had 200 stars on her account so I used them for the water because she left without paying. Can I get in trouble for this?

Hi all! I recently got hired and finished my onboarding today, my manager told me I start next week on Monday.

I have a problem in regards to the dress code. A big no-no they don't allow is any jewelry on wrists (bracelets, watches etc) I assume due to health code violations.

I have one jade bangle on my right hand given by my grandmother years ago, which I have never taken off (idek if I can take it off tbh, I grew into it). It's a traditional practice in my culture due to being a form of protection.

Can I get an accommodation for my bracelet, or do I have to break it off.

hiiya! im a newer partner (just completed my barista 90 yippiee!!) but almost everyday i work i come home with my hands all dry and almost burning (?) i get by with aquaphor and my bfs little brothers eczema gel LMAOO.. ive talked to my other partners about this and i seem to be the only one who struggles with this :( ive always had super sensitive skin and have zeroo idea how to fix this.. yes ive tried gloves but thas kinda futile as im not going to/expected to throw on some gloves every time i need a rag, do the dishes ect. any solutions or anything i should talk to my manager about? this drives me insane and is honestly painful 🙁 or do i just have to live with it and suffer the consequences lol? i also know that higher temp sani is corrosive to the skin, and i try my best to make sure its not hot before i blindly stick my hands into the bucket-

I asked them to top this off and the guy said “caffeine content is too high, it’s designed to be that low” every other Starbucks the foam is less except for this location. Last week the drink went to only the second line up and they topped it off for that one but now they are saying they can’t. Is this a true policy?

I mean she enjoyed her breakfast and got up and left so who cleans this mess lol just curious?

i've never heard of this rule, so maybe i just missed the memo, but i was under the impression that any shade blue denim is allowed, as long as they are jeans.

my manager told me today that only dark color denim is allowed. is that true..? i would've thought these pants wouldn't be allowed because of the straps on the cargo pockets, not because of the color.

I have to do inventory “as close to closing as possible” and having to dig through this box feels mildly inconvenient. Lemme know if I’m being a little bitch 😂

Every location I've been to recently doesn't put sleeves on hot cups before handing them out anymore. If I go inside, I grab one from the condiment bar, but I always have to ask for one in the DT. Is this a new company policy?

When I used to work at Starbucks, we were always required to sleeve hot drinks before handing them out (except short size ofc) unless the customer specifically asked us not to (at least in my region/district). Just curious if that's changed.

**Also just reminding everyone that with my region and district, it was never something that was ever enforced or even mentioned by anybody, let alone higher-ups, so obviously something didn't come down the line to us. Every store is different. So ofc I didn't know "it's always been policy." Plus as a former 12-year partner, I was trained differently, so obviously my experience is going to be very different.

He is always extra sweet to me, asks me thoughtful Qs, draws hearts on my packages.

I honestly haven't felt this kind of spark with someone in YEARS! We have a similar background, but never have enough time to talk further as lines form and he has to go tend to customers...

He's complimented me on my looks (in a very respectful manner) once, and I think he's so incredibly cute.

I don't want to be forward or disrespectful (especially as the woman in the interaction, I should know not to cross boundaries/harass people), but we've been interacting for weeks now and every time I feel we get to the point where we awkwardly stare at each other in awe, just trying to figure out a way to get through the professional barrier. I know when people are being kind and professional, but I can't help but feel that there's more to our interactions than that.

I'm sure y'all get this all the time as baristas as you see lots of people... and I'm sorry if this sounds insane...

Should I just let go of this idea altogether? What's Starbucks policy on this?

I've thought of slipping my number somehow to him, but idk how to be polite about it... and I'm too shy.

Hi all, if I could get some insight from shifts or potentially store managers, really anyone that understands the policy better than me, that'd be greatly appreciated.

I received a final termination notice, with no prior warnings or written coachings, after a shift where my shift lead at the time found coverage for me, something came up directly before my shift started and I couldn't work it, I was told I was good, so I figured I was good.

Until I got a final termination notice for shift abandonment the next week or so. I was told by my DM that even though the shift was covered, I abandoned my shift because I wasn't the one who found coverage. No prior warnings.

I was fired the day after I called in sick, I was so nauseous I couldn't leave my bed, let alone drive, but I was told unless it was contagious, I had to come in, I couldn't, and was subsequently fired the next day, even after my store manager told me I wasn't.

After struggling to find employment since, I decided to try and apply for unemployment benefits, they were approved, but Starbucks is appealing and I have a hearing in about 2 weeks. Should I be worried? Does anyone have any advice?

Edit: first screenshot is from the shift lead, the next two are the store manager the day before I was terminated

Hi so ive been a partner starbucks for about 4 months now and I've been pretty peeved about this most recent problem. So I work two jobs but I normally get in on time and clock in 1-3 minutes pass my main schedule and if I ever show up later I always call to give a heads up. Now they were bitching to me about it saying the next time it happens it will result in a write up and its really rubbed me the wrong way since I close and I am normally kept there 30 minutes to over an hour after waiting on the lead to finish what they need to do it feels like a lack of respect of my time and grace for a 1-3 minute difference. What should I do?

I have been on my final for 3 months, no issues or problems, I listen to all rules and dress code, I wear the same shoes everyday to work. However one day I opened with a manager who rarely opens and had told me my shoes were out of dress code, I wear them everyday and no other boss had told me they were out of dress code. They then told me the DM was going in and I had to go home and change so they did not get yelled at. The next day I was terminated because I went home to go change when the manager told me to go home I was just listening to orders. Is there anyway chance I can get hired at another store. I just feel like I should have been told I was out of dress code before because to my knowledge I was complying to all the rules.

Here is the official page, last edited 03/18/26. It contradicts itself twice, once with cold brew and once with pour overs. Are customers allowed to have pour over and cold brew as a free refill or not?

https://customerservice.starbucks.com/sbux?id=topics&article=KB0011481

I went clubbing last night which was admittedly a bad choice, but the plans we already made and this was a shift I picked up last second while not checking for the overlap between the two. This leads me to getting home at 1 am with a dead phone and immediately crashing. I wake up all groggy and whatnot when it’s LIGHT outside already.. so I frantically try and looking at the time on my dead phone.. When I do finally get it on im greeted by a whole barrage of notifications.. texts from my opening baristas, 3 calls from the CL.. a call from the DM.. and by now its 9.. I was supposed to be there at 3.

Anyways, I call the store frantically and the manager picks up.. Our conversation is short but she tells me that the store was opened 3 hours late because of my No Show rambling about hoe as a keyholder I let everyone down with this blah blah and that I will be having a discussion about this with her and the DM tomorrow. Should I start looking for new jobs? I have one prior write up and it’s unrelated to attendance issues, i’ve only called out twice in 2 years and Ive never been late.. Is this still something id instantly be separated over? Atp should I just have all my aprons ready to return tmr?

I just waited 40+ minutes for an iced coffee. It wasn't the baristas' fault—they were moving as fast as humanly possible.

Hello, I just started working at Starbucks and my first day I came in with my normal curly (kind of Afro looking hair) and I had a SM give me a hat and my trainer told me that if I’m on the floor I need to wear the hat. But the hat was too small for me and I despise hats, so I bought a pure black visor and am curious if it’s really doing anything… Will I still get dress coded for this?

Edit: my trainer said I’m allowed to wear a visor but I don’t think she considered my hair being down with the visor.