The Starbucks Game Plan

Starbucks Game Plan

SEATTLE; July 29, 2008
Starbucks Continues to Implement Transformation Plan, Announces Organizational Changes to Support Long-term Growth

As part of its ongoing transformation, Starbucks communicated organizational changes today including a realignment of its executive leadership team.

Additionally, on the Q3 earnings call on Wednesday, July 30, Howard Schultz, president, ceo and chairman, will provide an update on the progress the company has made, both in elevating the customer experience and in the significant actions the company has taken to structure the business for long-term, profitable growth.
Schultz sent the following email to all Starbucks partners earlier today:

_____________________________________________________________________

July 29, 2008



To: Starbucks Partners

From: Howard Schultz

Re: A message from Howard---Building a stronger company for the future


Dear Partners,

I want to acknowledge from the outset some of the difficulty that many of you may be experiencing given the tough operating environment we are facing. But let me assure you that there has been a relentless focus on making the decisions necessary to put us all in a position to win. Unfortunately, some of the decisions will result in not only store closures, which we announced earlier this month, but a restructuring of our organization that will eliminate some positions. Although I, along with the leadership team, made the hard choices to close stores and reduce the number of positions, which will result in loss of jobs, ultimately, I feel that they rest with me. I fully understand the seriousness of these actions and the concerns you may have, but please be assured that we will treat all departing and remaining partners with respect and dignity.

We have been a public company for more than 16 years and, together, we have created one of the most recognized and respected brands in the world, while also providing our shareholders with significant long-term value. In the early days of building our company, the naysayers didn’t believe in us or that our company would even survive. And now, we can hear those drumbeats once again from people who think that our best days are behind us. But I strongly believe that, together, we will create an even stronger company for the future.

In January 2008, I, along with the senior leadership team, created our transformation agenda and simultaneously, we initiated an ... read more here.

What Starbucks Is Doing Right - Meet Me At Starbucks

Starbucks is working hard. Starbucks is listening well. Starbucks is providing new and creative options - voila Vivanno! Could "Wall Street's Darling" be today's underdog? Everybody loves the underdog especially such a cute one. Especially such a good one. Especially one that is willing to make some changes to get it right.

We're continuing our usual meet up at Starbucks whenever there's a chance. How about you? How are your meet ups going? Is a store closing near you?

Love My Vivanno Protein Shake Starbucks!

Banana Chocolate Vivanno Shake! Ahhhh!

Look at the Nutritional Value! Only 5 grams of fat in the entire Protein Shake. Works for me!

And for the children, the Buck-A-Roos, loved the healthy happiness. Half a shake per child was perfect for the 7 year old Tigers.

Starbucks Full List of U.S. Store Closures

Ya'll it's hard to comprehend. In effort of greater good here's the full list:


Full List of U.S. Store Closures

Then go grab a brand new fancy Vivanno and enjoy! We love the banana chocolate! Vivanno nourishing blends. These protein drinks will rock your world! We went to a little party at our local Starbucks and my oh my, these hit the spot.

Starbucks Vivanno Protein Shake

Starbucks Vivanno Protein Drink
Here's the latest new drink idea at Starbucks.

Check it out an let me know what you think. Tomorrow is the day. I think I could take a Vivanno for breakfast and sip on my Grande afterwards. Any you?

Strawberry Banana, Espresso Chocolate Banana and Mango, etc. These are delicious and refreshing! Go and enjoy! What flavor did you like?

Starbucks Locator Arizona Coffee - Complete List

Starbucks Locator Arizona
To all my friends in Arizona, here you go. And to all of those going to say the Grand Canyon this summer. Get your Mocha Latte at one of these Starbucks Coffee Shops.

Starbucks Locator in Alaska-all shops

Here are all the Alaska Starbucks Coffee Shops. Because my Alabama Starbucks Locator list was such a hit. I'm making it easier for all of us. My girlfriend just got back from an Alaska vacation and even in the Summertime, everyone is looking for Starbucks in Alaska... because it is still cold. Did I say Snow!
Starbucks Locator Alaska
Enjoy!

Starbucks July 2008 U.S. Store Closure List

It's no fun if it's your neighborhood. Check below to see if your Starbucks is in the mix.

July 2008 U.S. Store Closure List

Starbucks Coffee Still The One and Nike Human Race 10K

"Starbucks Coffee is Still The One for Starbucks Mama!" I'm just saying.... while everyone is scrambling to see what's happening in their neighborhood Starbucks, I'll drive across town if need be to see my Baristas, have a Verona and take it all in.

I'll even run across town to be a part of The Nike Human Race 10K and Starbucks. Are you on the team?! Be a part of a good thing. (and let the speculation go for a while!)

Missing The Green Cup - My Starbucks Green Cup Logo

Missing the Green Cup... maybe with all of the reshuffling, the return of the Green Cup will be imminent. Starbucks and the Green Logo and Cup are just synonymous.

David Galbraith states all the changes well for Starbucks. And it's a tiny little word called 'recession.' An eye opener, Starbucks isn't the only company facing it's challenges.

As for my cup, why change what works? Why change the cornerstone....

Starbucks Happy 4th of July

Starbucks Coffee Blog wishes you a Happy 4th of July! Ours will include a Starbucks stop. Which Starbucks will you visit?

Every Starbucks In Alabama - Starbucks Locator Alabama

Every Starbucks Location in Alabama. Hey, Alabamians, need your daily fix? Here you go, Every Starbucks in Alabama. Check it out and enjoy.

Starbuck's Store Locator

Starbucks Fans Live in Denial

Starbucks fans seem to have Southern mentality of "I'll think about that tomorrow"... until then I'll have my usual drink. :) We would rather just drink our Starbucks coffee and not talk about say the Starbucks Nutrition or the latest news splash.

Today was usual for us and my lovely Barista made my new favorite drink, Iced Coffee, blah, blah, blah (my favorites listed below) better than ever. As always they're friendly and they deliver. So we didn't talk about any 'closings' or any changes going on in all the Starbucks gossip buzz. We just had our usual Starbucks Mama in the drive thru with her Buck-A-Roos conversation. Then we all enjoyed the best Banana Bread ever on the way home from the Buck-A-Roos' swimming lessons.

Starbucks is good.

Economy? What econony? If we had to choose, we would rather skip dinner at Ruth's Chris and have coffee here.

Starbucks and Mr. Howard Schultz "Do Hard Things"

If you have teenagers, you're probably hearing about "Do Hard Things" by twins Alex and Brett Harris, and if you're a mother of twins you may have heard of the Harris Twins. They are shaking up and getting the attention of the younger generation by going counter to the culture and gaining great results.

Mr. Schultz apparently has heard of "Do Hard Things" with the recent corporate decision to close stores, in an effort to gain ground again and have a positive return. It is not instant gratification, it's keeping the end result in mind.

I don't like the news. But I like love Starbucks. And I love having several Starbucks very near each serving their own purpose. So I'll be patient. Let's face it, none of us want to see any Starbucks close down. However, I would like to see them succeed like never before.
From Mr. Schultz himself...

SEATTLE; July 1, 2008
Starbucks Increases Number of U.S. Company-Operated Store Closures as Part of Transformation Strategy Approximately 600 Underperforming Stores will be Closed as Company takes Significant Step toward Improving Long-Term Profitable Growth

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) has announced the next step in its multi-faceted plan to transform the company, with a decision to close approximately 600 underperforming company-operated stores in the U.S. market. This decision is a result of a rigorous evaluation of the U.S. company-operated store portfolio and includes the 100 stores targeted for closure in the company’s previously announced plans. In addition, Starbucks now expects to open fewer than 200 new U.S. company-operated stores in fiscal 2009.

Read more here @ Starbucks.

Starbucks To Close 600 Stores - Not Mine Please

Not the kind of news we like to here at Starbuck Mama and Her Buck-A-Roos Starbucks Coffee Blog. What is that life lesson, you have to back up to move forward. Or The Dip by Seth Godin

"The old saying is wrong-winners do quit, and quitters do win. [PS The Dip just hit #5 on the New York Times bestseller list.]
Every new project (or job, or hobby, or company) starts out exciting and fun. Then it gets harder and less fun, until it hits a low point-really hard, and not much fun at all.

And then you find yourself asking if the goal is even worth the hassle. Maybe you're in a Dip-a temporary setback that will get better if you keep pushing." May Starbucks move forward pushing onward!

Starbucks to cut up to 12,000 jobs, close 600 stores
By Lisa Baertlein
22 minutes ago
Starbucks Corp (SBUX.O) said on Tuesday it plans to close 600 underperforming stores and eliminate as many as 12,000 full- and part-time positions, lifting shares nearly 6 percent.

The company, which has been grappling with the slowing U.S. economy and consumer spending at the same time that major competitors like McDonald's Corp (MCD.N) have begun attacking its core business, now plans to close a total of 600 underperforming stores by the end of March 2009.

Howard Schultz, the coffee chain's founder and chief executive, retook the helm in January and quickly announced plans to shutter 100 underperforming outlets.

With U.S. sales growth slowing, he slashed plans for store openings and shifted the company's most ambitious expansion efforts to international markets.

"At this point, management has decided that 2008 is a wash and to throw in everything but the kitchen sink to get ready for growth in 2009 and beyond," said William Blair analyst Sharon Zackfia.

"It's another sign that management doesn't have their head in the sand," said Zackfia, who has an "outperform" rating on the stock.

Starbucks said the closures are spread across all major U.S. markets and that 70 percent of the targeted stores have been open since the beginning of fiscal 2006. The accompanying job losses would represent about 7 percent of the company's global work force.

Starbucks estimated that total pretax charges associated with the planned U.S. company-operated store closures, including costs associated with severance, would be in the range of $328 million to $348 million.

The Seattle-based company aggressively opened stores in areas such as California and Florida, which have been hardest hit by the U.S. housing downturn. Some investors, worried that the company had built too many outlets in the United States, pushed the company to increase the number of store closures.

"This is validating some of the critics who said they were opening stores too close to one another," said James Walsh, an analyst at Starbucks investor Coldstream Capital Management.

Starbucks also said it will open fewer than 200 new U.S. company-operated stores in fiscal 2009, down from 250 previously.

The stock rose to $16.53 in late electronic trading, up 5.8 percent from its close of $15.62 on Nasdaq.

(Additional reporting by Nichola Groom and Jennifer Martinez; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe, Leslie Gevirtz)