We know these are challenging times, especially for restaurants and coffee shops. We want you to know we are here for you and we are dedicated to bringing you the information and resources you need.
Today, we take a look at the changes Starbucks has made to support customers, employees and the community during this crisis.
The iconic coffee shop has taken significant steps to protect customers and emphasize the safety of their operations:
- Temporarily requiring all customers to use single-use ware (but still honoring discounts for customers who bring in personal cups or ask for “for here” ware)
- Increasing cleaning and sanitizing of all stores
- Shifting exclusively to drive-through operations in the U.S. and Canada
- Employees wearing masks and having access to thermometers in stores
- Continuing to offer delivery service
- Extending expiration of Starbucks Rewards Stars
For employees, Starbucks is working hard to ensure that they feel protected and valued:
- Expanding mental health benefits to include 20 free therapy sessions (online or in-person) a year for all employees, including part-time workers
- Restricting business-related air travel for employees
- Offering catastrophe pay for employees who are quarantined
- Boosting pay to Service Pay, giving employees an additional $3 per hour for shifts through May 3
- Providing hardship grants, as well as a new temporary food benefit and partner discount
- Expanding childcare benefits for employees who need backup childcare due to school closures
- Instructing support center employees to work remotely
Starbucks is also building community goodwill through efforts to support those affected by the pandemic:
- Providing first responders and frontline workers with free coffee through May 3
- Donating $500,000 to organizations supporting frontline workers
- Contributing $250,000 to help launch Seattle’s COVID-19 Response Fund
- Donating $3 million to support global COVID-19 relief efforts
Individual stores are also going above and beyond, surprising frontline workers with pastries and coffee at hospitals and giving customers an opportunity to purchase bags of coffee for first responders.
To learn more, visit the Starbucks website.
We are all in this together and we are here to help in any way that we can. We welcome your calls and conversation.
Be well, friends.