Starbucks — Restaurant in Atlanta

Subject: Repeated Unsanitary Lid Handling and Poor Service Experience

Dear Starbucks Customer Service,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my deep disappointment and concern regarding two recent incidents that I experienced at two different Starbucks locations in Atlanta, GA.

On June 20, 2023, I visited the Starbucks at 800 Glenwood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316. During my visit, I noticed that the employee handling my order placed her hand directly on the lid of my cup, right where I would be placing my mouth. This unsanitary practice was highly concerning to me, and when I attempted to address the issue by requesting a new lid, I was met with aggression from another employee who physically hit me. I was forced to involve the manager to address the situation.

Today, on July 14, 2023, at approximately 8:15 am, I visited the Starbucks located at 2450 Salem Rd SE, Conyers, GA 30013. To my dismay, I witnessed a young lady once again placing a lid on someone else's cup, touching it extensively with the palm of her hand. Aware of the potential health risks associated with this behavior, I politely requested that she refrain from touching the portion of the lid that comes in contact with the customer's mouth. Unfortunately, she disregarded my request and proceeded to handle three more lids in a similar manner, causing unnecessary delays in the service. To add to my disappointment, when I received my sandwich, it was cold, and my drink was not prepared as I had requested.

I usually opt for the drive-through service to avoid encountering such issues, but this time, I decided to visit the store directly. I was hopeful that my concerns from the previous incident would not be repeated. Regrettably, the unsanitary lid handling and poor service I experienced today have left me greatly dissatisfied with the level of quality and attention to detail at these Starbucks locations.

As a loyal customer, I have always held Starbucks in high regard for its commitment to providing exceptional service and products. However, these incidents have shaken my confidence in the brand. I believe it is crucial for Starbucks to take immediate action to address these issues and ensure that all employees follow proper hygiene protocols and provide customers with the service they deserve.

I kindly request that you investigate these incidents thoroughly and take appropriate measures to prevent such occurrences in the future. Additionally, I would appreciate it if you could address the quality of my order during today's visit. It is disheartening to receive a cold sandwich and a drink that does not meet my requested temperature.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I trust that you will take my concerns seriously and work towards improving the overall customer experience at these locations. I look forward to hearing from you and resolving these...

The older female that wears the black lipstick is very rude and unprofessional. She criticized Kroger’s technology simply because she was not competent enough to explain how to add money to the Starbucks app. She stated it could not be done because Kroger doesn’t have the capability of using the Starbucks app—which was totally untrue and an unnecessary fallacy being told. The young girl and young man that was working was looking at her as she was giving that incorrect information. The young man was very intelligent, stepped to the register and was able to show me how the app worked and I was able to add money to my Starbucks card and scan the Q-code.I thanked him for his knowledge and professionalism. The older woman with the black lips begin to stay my energy was irritating her demons. She then begin to say strange things in reference to the spiritual warfare she is fighting. I was taken aback and told her it was so easy for the young man to assist me and he was very pleasant and there was no need for her to be speaking to me about her demons. I told her I rebuke and denounce what’s coming from her mouth and told her I sent fire from the almighty living God her way. She is definitely a troubled older woman and it’s surely a shame she carried on yelling about her demons and them being upset—it was odd and disappointing to hear and see her behave as if she was possessed. In my opinion people should leave their troubles where they lay and not bring them to a place of business. I called and reported the incident to Starbucks corporate office and was accommodated with $20 added to my reward card. I’m almost certain this lady’s behavior has nothing to do with me or Starbucks and she behaves this way quite often on and off the job—I know this is not the culture of Starbucks. That lady clearly brought was she’s been carrying for a long time to work. I hope she finds peace and does not verbally attack the next customer seeking clarity as it relates to Starbucks or Kroger’s technology.

Bless...

I want to understand what’s going on here so I can empathize, but I’m stumped. I rarely order during rush hours, I don’t understand the consistent long wait times at this location. I will put in an order before i even get dressed to leave the house, and I’m still left waiting 20+ minutes upon arrival. There is never any communication from barista to guest or between themselves at all. There have been times I’ve placed an order, waited 20+ minutes, just to be told they don’t have what I paid for. I had to get back in the line for my refund, which was a Kroger voucher that you have to take to their customer service area and exchange for cash. Half an hour of my life wasted just to leave with coins jingling in my pocket. I’ve never seen less than 3-4 baristas working at a time, I am truly perplexed. You have the bodies, I highly suggest you find a better qualified person to train and lead. Your staff is very obviously overwhelmed. Glenwood is closest to me, having to drive to a Starbucks location further away and still receiving my order significantly sooner than if I had ordered at Glenwood is craziness, especially when the other locations have a higher volume of traffic...