Personally, I am a Starbucks regular. I’m talking an overboard regular, visiting a Starbucks anywhere from one to three times a day. Studying, snacking, socializing; all reasons to find me at Starbucks. I also am a former barista so I know the mission and morals of the company. Having gotten into the debate over the best coffee shop with several people recently, I would like to put this one to rest once and for all.
- Service with a Smile- Whether it’s a simple “hi, how are you today?” or catching up about your weekend, you can always expect a warm greeting from the Starbucks’ employees who take your order.
- Personalization- How many times do servers not only take your name, but make sure they have the correct spelling? At Starbucks they do both; and it’s going that extra mile that can make a difference in someone’s crappy morning.
- The Atmosphere- Starbucks is far more unique than any other coffee shop chain. Do you feel at home when you walk into a Dunkin’ Donuts or Wawa? (Not that I’m throwing shade at Wawa, because it’s another favorite. Just not as far as coffee goes). I have several different Starbucks in my area to choose from and I love that each one is a little different. They have distinct interior design, a variety of seating (comfy chairs vs. wood for example), etc. Best of all Starbucks has its own homey vibe, especially when you become a regular like me.
- Healthy Options, as Well as Sweet Ones- Though I am personally not a health nut (sorry not sorry), Starbucks has plenty of options for the customers who are. Their bistro boxes feature well portioned foods paired together such as cheese and fruit, in addition to their wide selection of sandwiches and paninis. For eaters like me or those who just want a treat, the bakery is chock full of goodies ranging from bagels to scones to cake pops. There’s something for everyone!
- Free WiFi.
- Rewards System- For those of you who don’t already know, Starbucks has a rewards system using stars that allows you to get a free drink every 12 stars once you’ve reached the gold level. Bonus: You get a free drink or pastry for your birthday.
- Free Refills- Another great thing about registering your Starbucks card? Once you collect five stars and hit green level you get refills on hot or iced tea and coffee refills when you’re in the store for free. And if you study there for several hours like me, you are definitely going to need multiple passion teas.
- “Secret” Menu- It may not be so secret but the online list of beverages that baristas can whip up is endless. There’s always another drink to try whether it’s the Strawberry Sunset Refresher or the Coconut Cream Pie Frappuccino.
- Frappuccinos- Lets be honest, no other coffee chain has anything close to as delicious as Starbucks’ Frappuccinos. There may be the McCafe Frappe Mocha and the Frozen Dunkaccinos but there is truly no comparison.
- Satisfaction Guaranteed- I can personally attest to Starbucks' satisfaction guarantee because as a former employee I found myself making a caramel frapp four times over one night. If you are not satisfied with your drink they will make it again until you are, and how many coffee shops can you say that about?
Basically, if you are not currently a Starbucks fan I strongly encourage you to reconsider this decision. You don’t want to miss out on all this company has to offer 💁🏽.
