Starbucks Goes on Sabbatical, Dunkin’ Steals the Slack

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Starbucks is staging a sales sabbatical for several hours tomorrow. At Chairman Schultz’ behest, all company-owned stores are shutting down so baristas can go back to basics.

“Starbucks partners will have an opportunity to connect and deepen their passion for coffee with the ultimate goal of transforming the customer experience,” Schultz said in a staff memo.

Demonstrating the opportunism that America actually runs on, Dunkin’ Donuts is slashing coffee to $0.99 tomorrow so “no coffee lover is denied a delicious espresso-based beverage.” And LA’s Coffee Klatch is literally giving coffee away during the ‘bucks Blackout.

We’re not worried about competitors getting all slash-happy while Starbucks regroups, but those baristas better be able to change lives when those three hours are up.

And make little leaf-shaped swirls out of cream. For 7100 stores gone mum nationwide, time is money.

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Steve Hall

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