Starbucks Coffee Company is preparing to receive a backlash from customers who are upset about former CEO Howard Schultz potentially running for president. The company has provided Baristas with a list of talking points to help eliminate tense and rather controversial conversations with customers.
This is what the company's “Barista Need-To-Know” memo said this week (as obtained by Huffington Post):
“... partners [i.e., employees] may be asked questions by customers or hear media speculation about Howard’s potential political intentions. We encourage you all to take a moment to review the talking points below with your partners.
If a customer asks if we are selling Howard’s book at Starbucks:
No, the books are available at bookstores and online.
If a customer attempts to investigate, or share aggressive political opinions, attempt to diffuse the situation by sharing:
We respect everyone’s opinion. Our goal is simply to create a warm and welcoming space where we can all gather, as a community, over great coffee.
If asked about Howard’s political intentions:
Howard’s future plans are up to him.
Here is the full memo:
This is a copy of the memo @Starbucks provided Baristas. The primary topic is a potential @HowardSchultz run and how to deal with angry customers. pic.twitter.com/FUcJ5vvMPt
— Beth Baumann (@eb454) January 31, 2019
Democrats are upset with Schultz. They feel as though his independent run could split the vote and hand the election over to President Donald Trump. And some Starbucks employees feel the same way.
“I find Schultz running to be extremely awful,” one Barista told HuffPo. “I just know he’ll splinter the Dem vote in 2020 and that he’s in it for himself.”
“Just because you’re a businessman does not mean you’re also a stellar leader,” another Starbucks employee said. “We learned that from our current president.”
Although Schultz ran the company for three decades until last summer, Starbucks contends that they don't get involved in politics (something we all know is bogus).