Starbucks

Leadership

Accusations fly in Howard Schultz's appearance before Bernie Sanders' Senate committee

The former Starbucks chief was accused of being a regulatory scofflaw with little regard for the chain's employees. And he had a few pointed words for the senators who bashed him.

Workforce

4 things Howard Schultz revealed to the Senate about Starbucks

He countered his critics' barrage of incriminating facts with a few truth bombs of his own.

The Bottom Line: A labor proposal would mean a full-time worker would earn about $48,000 after tips, about the same as health technologists and more than bus drivers. What would that do to prices?

Two RB editors sampled the coffee chain's Oleato line of beverages to see whether the combination works. Here’s what they think.

Working Lunch: The big ask is for a guarantee of 37 scheduled hours per week, set months in advance.

Laxman Narasimhan, who took over for Howard Schultz this week, promised to work a half-day shift as a barista inside one of its coffee shops each month "to keep us close to the culture and our customers."

The Seattle-based coffee giant is debuting its Oleato line in select Starbucks Reserve Roasteries on Thursday and then additional locations in Seattle and Los Angeles on Monday. Consumers remain skeptical.

The coffee chain said that its CEO-in-waiting took over the permanent position on Monday for Howard Schultz, who takes a spot on the company’s board.

Facing a possible subpoena, the CEO accepted a pointed invitation to appear before the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which is chaired by Bernie Sanders.

Working Lunch: Sanders may indeed be able to compel a Senate appearance by the outgoing chain CEO, but that's just one of the issues that Starbucks faced in the last week or so.

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