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Starbucks has been going through some massive changes and, depending on your viewpoint, they could be good or bad. From staff and food to customers and reputation, many things are changing for the coffee giant...
Unionization At Starbucks
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The changes at Starbucks began last year. That's when workers at the company started their efforts to unionize. While things would have probably gone fine if the coffee giant had just let it go ahead, it instead tried to stifle the efforts. The company tried everything from store closures to replacing managers with corporate employees to stop the union effort. As a result, Starbucks' popularity and public image took a massive hit. Despite their efforts, the employees at two locations have unionized. Now, another 23 cafes in states across America are at some point in the unionization process.
Why do Starbucks employees want to unionize? Well, it not only gives them more negotiation power to employees, better benefits, and other employment-related issues. In the past, unions have also held companies to a much higher standard and accountability. Meanwhile, the company has also needed to cut down on store hours as a result of the Omicron variant and staff shortages. However, that's not all! Starbucks has also started to face ingredient shortages that might make it hard to pick up your favorite cup of joe...
Ingredient Shortages Strike Again
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Like many restaurants all over the world, shortages of ingredients have hit Starbucks particularly hard, leading to the deletion of menu items. Recently, the company confirmed that the scarcity would continue, likely through the rest of 2022. The coffee giant has found it particularly hard to locate certain flavored syrups and types of alternative milk. Drinks that included oat milk, toffee nut syrup, green and chai tea bags, among many others, have been all but taken off the menu. Likewise, the lack of breakfast sandwiches and frappuccinos has caused a severe buzz - no pun intended - among Starbucks' customers. Next up? Rumor has it that the company is working to stop a worldwide mocha shortage.
Finally, mobile orders from customers have started causing chaos for both customers and employees. The reason? Well, according to workers, the digital system allows too many coffee orders to hit a single store at once, causing a massive backup. As a result, both employees and customers suffer. Can Starbucks surmount these odds and return to its once stellar status? Only time will tell...
