An Open Letter to Starbucks Shareholders, Customers, and Directors.

UPDATE: Originally published 10/14/21. Why it was time to fire the new CEO and bring back founder Howard Schultz. The Board must have been listening and read my article. Kevin Johnson is gone and Schultz is back as of 4/4/22.

Starbucks San Francisco Union Street Store October 2021 by the author

Seattle-based Starbucks is the world’s largest retail coffee chain, with 33,295 stores in 83 countries. In addition to the quality of their food and drinks, they had the best real estate department of just about any national chian.

They seemed to always find ideal locations in areas that were changing to become more upscale and appealing to younger demographics.

When looking for a condo to purchase in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2005, my ex-girlfriend used to say “No Starbucks, No Sale”. The very presence of a Starbucks store was a strong indicator of potential for capital appreciation in an emerging neighborhood. It was very rare to see Starbucks close a store.

Former Starbucks Store in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf area, now closed. October 2021 Photo by author.