Starbucks — Restaurant in Forest City

‼️ In honor of Labor Day, I thought I’d share a little leadership story (and a confession). Exceptional leaders are hidden everywhere!

It is no secret I have a really bad habit… Starbucks.

But hear me out—coffee is cheaper than therapy, and SARA at the Forest City drive-thru is basically my life coach in a headset.

When she’s on the window, it doesn’t matter if the line is wrapped around the building, halfway down the road, it moves like magic. Sara is always chipper, kind, and smiling. Honestly, I’ve seen less efficiency at corporate board meetings.

This morning I told her: “I have to commend you on your drive-thru management skills.” She shrugged and said, “I don’t know if it’s me.” Umm, no Sara—it’s DEFINITELY you.

She laughed and said, “Well, feel free to leave me a Google review.” So here it is: Sara deserves ALL the reviews.

I live for coffee. My work life isn’t sustainable without it. But Sara doesn’t just hand me a latte—she hands me the energy to survive meetings, conquer the impossible, and pretend I’m well-rested. That’s leadership. The good kind—the kind you can’t find just anywhere.

So thank you, Sara! I hope you see this. And I hope the rest of you leave her an amazing Google review too. Because if Starbucks ever loses her, I’m going to need a formal...

I usually wouldn’t leave a review like this, but I feel like this situation needs to be brought up. A few months back, there were issues at this store with a manager to the point I had to talk to a district manager. In this past incident, the said manager had what I believe to be a pocket knife on him when he approached me, mind you I am a small female. After talking to the district manager, I was told I could return to this shop and have no issues. Well, upon me returning to this shop tonight, I was treated with utter disrespect from that same manager. I was in the drive thru picking up a mobile order because I don’t feel safe inside that store anymore and upon getting to the microphone, I was cut off midsentence by the same manager that had been rude to me before and gave me an attitude. I will not support this store anymore. This manager needs to get fired because he was being so rude and disrespectful after months have passed since this incident. Also, when my past incident occured they said they weren’t allowed to pull security cameras and would only go based on what the...

Friendly staff. My blueberry scone was not as warm as requested & have to ask for a napkin. I'm a little disappointed when you do drive thru or to go order they don't just ring you, they want you to do the work_ force you to read the choices... basically they ask for tip ( for doing what they're supposed to). Are they not being paid at least minimum wage? I'm trying to understand since few more establishments in the county that do put you on this position when you don't even sit down to eat inside their restaurant. Or it's a new generation that demand this because you owe it to them for working & your patronizing the establishment. Some do drive thru or to go order for a reason. Inside a food entity & wait staff serve you, run back & forth to make sure you're the not out of your drinks, etc. the tip is given when due, but the wait staff doesn't put you on an uncomfortable position you're...