I tend to be a locavore, which means I stay away from Starbucks and head to the local coffeehouse. But as I sat there the other day, struggling with a sketchy wifi connection and wondering why the price for a small regular is so high, I couldn't help thinking, why don't I go to Starbucks?
Before you start flaming me, remember, I am asking for guidance here. I want to hear a solid liberal case for staying away.
Here are the counterarguments--
The company now offers eligible part- and full-time employees 100 percent tuition coverage for four years of college. I think that's a big deal unless there's enough fine print that means most don't qualify for the money.
Starbucks employees are more likely to have employer-sponsored insurance than the folks who work in independent shops. They also have more opportunity for advancement.
I know shopping locally keeps the money in the community, but doesn't it stay in the community at Starbucks too? There's employee wages and the owner of the franchise lives nearby. I know they get supplies from out-of-state, but do local coffeehouses do it any differently? One serves brew from Chicago, another shipped directly from Columbia.
Starbucks isn't fair trade, but it does have a sustainability and fair labor program. Is it more lax than fair trade?
Again, just asking.