Counter Culture

While the coffee sector isn’t too kind to Starbucks lately, McDonald’s had a profitable second quarter due, in part, to its push into that beverage space.

That’s what WD Partners analyst Dennis Lombardi says in this MarketWatch audio interview where he talks about the fast-food giant’s strong Q2. “People are still learning that it’s a great cup of coffee.”

Is McDonald’s taking away Starbucks’ market share?

The crew over at Serious Eats, drew our attention to a Google Map of the recently-reported Starbucks closures posted on CNNMoney.com.

Isn’t the Internet great? Click the image below to see the 600 places where it’s shutting stores, down to the street corner. Any near you?

In New York we like to joke about how, at some street corners in Manhattan, the storefronts of three different Starbucks are visible.

Granted, whenever we walk by a Starbucks here they are usually packed, with long lines and rarely any seating for those who might want to have a meeting or get some other work done. But this is Manhattan, where lots of things are like that.
Continue reading ‘How Big Are Starbucks’ Problems?’

During Starbucks’ investor conference yesterday Chairman Howard Schultz declared that the US economy is in a “tailspin” and introduced a number of ways that his company is going to combat this environment. This is the first big step by Starbucks founder Schultz since he returned as head of the company at the beginning of the year.

Starbucks will start offering a customer-rewards card, a new brewing system for its coffee and is reportedly rolling out a new line of health and energy drinks for its customers, among other initiatives.
Continue reading ‘Is Howard Schultz On Track?’

Is McDonald’s going after Starbucks?

According to a report earlier this week, McDonald’s will install coffee bars helmed by baristas in its 14,000 locations nationwide.
Continue reading ‘McDonald’s Vs. Starbucks?’