Starbucks will reintroduce self-serve condiment bars nationwide next year, a change welcomed by customers who missed tailoring her drinks. This is part of CEO Brian Niccol’s broader “back-to-basics” strategy. The bars were initially removed during the pandemic due to concerns about virus transmission on shared surfaces and issues with milk waste and theft.
The move aims to reduce delays and ease barista workloads, addressing operational challenges brought on by the pandemic. However, employees caution that the change won’t solve deeper staffing issues. Employees note that a condiment bar takes a little off their plate but doesn’t address the bulk of the work. However, proper staffing will still be critical to ensure smooth operations.
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