SEATTLE — Starbucks has announced it will close 7,100 company-operated stores in the U.S. from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 26 to retrain about 135,000 in-store employees and managers.
“Our unprecedented level of commitment to and investment in our people will provide them with the tools and resources they need to exceed the expectations of our customers, said Howard Schultz, Starbucks' chairman, president and CEO.
The educational curriculum for all U.S. store-partners will provide a renewed focus on espresso standards that will help ensure the quality of every beverage. As a result, baristas will be better prepared to share their passion and knowledge with customers.
The company also has dropped T-Mobile USA as its wireless provider, picking AT&T instead and making its previously for-fee service largely free.
AT&T brings with it 17 million of its customers who will pay nothing additional for access. The new service will be free for two hours a day to anyone who has and uses a Starbucks card.
