Starbucks Brings Back Coffee Cup Doodles & The Response Is... Mixed
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Late last year, newly-minted Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol announced major changes in an effort to streamline processes, cut back costs, and cozy up the chain's cafes. Slowly but surely the team has rolled out an improvement plan to bring a little "soul" back into the brand. And that means... the Sharpies are back.
Yes, the return of artful coffee cups is upon us. Starbucks has instructed employees to include personalized messages on each cup, including affirmations, well wishes, and "hello again" for return customers, reports CNN. And while many are thrilled with the sentimental touch, not everyone is on board. Some baristas are slamming the policy change, telling the outlet that this "forced" attempt at building customer connections is slowing down their work pace.
"It’s just a lot for workers to have to add to the number of things we’re expected to do," Atlanta-based Starbucks staffer and leader of Starbucks Workers United, Amanda Rivera, said. "It would be more sincere if I didn’t seem stressed out of my mind making 10 other cups."
"I don’t want to just write 'have an amazing day' on every cup," she added. "Is that really connecting?"
Others have taken to Reddit to discuss and seek out advice from fellow employees. "Is it new policy we have to write ALL OF THEM??? That is insane please guys I cant wait to quit," the original poster said in the thread.
"I always start my shift with cute stuff then it’s just happy faces and once we get slammed they are blank lol," one user chimed in. "I truly do not want some inspirational quote on my coffee cup. I’m an adult," another said.
Although some staffers claim that their messages have been misinterpreted as flirting, patrons seem to merely be poking fun at the idea.
"Sent my bf to get my matcha…This new policy has me tweaking," one customer wrote on TikTok after boyfriend received a "same time tomorrow" message. "The new policy is gonna ruin relationships," another added after her partner received a cheeky doodle of their own.
Plenty more are finding the return of cup-art endearing. Countless customers took to social media to praise the sweet messages and fun doodles:
Not all employees are anti-Sharpie, either. In fact, plenty are having fun with the challenge and tapping into their creativity. Some staffers are even scrawling the cups with viral TikTok sounds:
Though, technically, the Starbucks policy requires a message or a doodle every time, according to employees on Reddit, "enforcement is up to the [store manager]." For most, that means smiley faces or simple hearts during busy periods (if anything at all), while slow hours are an opportunity for more elaborate designs and messages.
I, for one, thought I was just extra charming when I earned a "keep smiling:)" message last week. Now, everything is a lie!
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