Starbucks Urban Legend #1

Good morning... What can I get for you?

How about a little urban legend this morning. It pairs well with what we do here at Green Apron Stories.

Many of you know that Uncle Howie has long been a customer of the Madison Park Starbucks for years. It was close to his home and on the way to work I imagine. As you could guess, the pressure at that store was unbelievable... I mean, THE BOSS may come in.

It seems that there was quite a bit of hoopla when the Howard Schultz GAP ad came out, that people had a good time with it. Some even ribbed Howie. You have to admit that a CEO posing for a GAP ad is pretty good. So, let's go back to the Madison Park store... It seems that the closers thought it would be a funny joke to blow up the image of Howie's face and paste it over the Siren's face on the logo that was mounted over the menu board... They did it for the opening crew I imagine... never once thinking that they wouldn't even notice it.

Well, they didn't notice it...

Not long after the store opened for the morning and customers started rolling in, Howie himself came in for the morning cappuccino. HE noticed it and then all hell broke loose. Several manager conversations, write ups and the ordeal was finally over. Now, I'm not saying that the actions of the closers were anywhere near appropriate, but as a leader, you have to think to yourself... "What drives this sort of behavior"... and then you get to the bottom of it all by asking questions.

I always found it curiously funny that there was always a female manager placed in that store... never a male. My guess is that it was an attempt to insure that HS used a softer approach with the manager there.

We'll see you tomorrow for your usual...

Pat Nerr...

P.S... If anyone wants that empty Mazagran bottle (with cap)... let me know via e-mail. I'll even sign it and send you a little message for your team or whatever... My treat.

First come, first serve.