Starbucks — Restaurant in Howell Township

Visited the cafe in person and it was the first time back in a Starbucks since 2019. Very disappointing experience. Food and drinks were fine, but the service at close was an embarrassment to the testament of Starbucks, its claimed values and the atmosphere it attempts and fails to promote. I had visited with my friend on a Thursday evening to catch up after a long and tiring work day. Everything was okay until the last few minutes before closed.

My friend and I, coincidently, are both ex-Starbucks “partners” who worked as Starbucks baristas at the Freehold Barnes and Noble Starbucks before it closed years ago. So we are familiar with the company culture and the culture of the starbucks cafe’s within our region, mostly. We are also, two black women. We also consider ourselves spiritual. We decided to pray for each other, not something I typically feel led to do, but felt comfortable enough there and in that moment to do so.

The shift manager, who had already announced that it was 5 minutes to close, came back again while we were praying, holding hands eyes closed, praying out loud, to tell us that they were closing. Beyond this is that there were still other people in the cafe, some of which had walked in 2 minutes before close to order drinks and we were basically shooed out before them even.

I had never felt so unwelcomed in a Starbucks. I haven’t spent my own money at a Starbucks in years, and I feel like this visit affirmed my previous refrain to do so. As a company that claims to be all about including, appreciating, uplifting and we’re celebrating its staff and customers in all their diversity, this location really dropped we’re the ball. I will likely be reaching out to the store manager and writing directly to the company in the coming days.

This location has always been known for their drive thru, and maybe that’s the problematic . Perhaps, their shift supervisor needs to go back to training and learn out to treat people, not because we’re exceptional in any way, but because we’re human beings. Neither my shift supervisors nor I would have ever done such a thing at a closing. However, I will comment on the pressure that store managers put on shift managers and baristas to close “on time.” So it’s also likely that the shift supervisors actions, beyond being rude, are valued over customer connection. So perhaps it’s systemic. Whatever it may be, it’s a shame really,...

I have been a member of Starbucks for over 15 years. I’ve also been spending a lot of money with Starbucks, New Jersey for 15 years.. In those times frames i have not ever experienced or encountered an Starbucks employee her name is LAIA/LAYLA, not sure how to spell her name properly. She treated me with the utmost DISRESPECT, RUDENESS UNPROFESSIONAL, NASTY ATTITUDE, ANGRY, DEFENSIVE, LOW LEVEL ENERGY, AND SNATCHED MY $100 💵 Bill, because that was the only form of payment that I had to pay… I only had CASH and a high Bill of cash that particular day.. So that made her ANGRY!!! She REPEATEDLY asked me do I have any other forms to payments i REPEATEDLY told her NO.. This incident happened in the drive-through, when i pulled up to the drive-through window, that’s when she told me the price of my product.. I proceeded to hand over my HARD EARND WORKING $100 Bill, and she GRILLED me down about not having any other forms of payments, and then SNATCHED my hundred dollar bill out of my hand, and slam the drive-through window… At that point when she returned to bring me my coffee and change, I let her know that was EXTREMELY RUDE, she then got really NASTY & UNPROFESSIONAL and told me her name and she didn’t CARE about how she TREATED ME.. I also informed her i will file a complaint to corporate about this matter… I then came back inside to speak with a supervisor because my coffee she gave me was incorrect on TOP of all this… LAIA/LAYLA got so nasty with me and it caused me anxiety and a panic attack… Her Name is LAIA/LAYLA… she works in the Starbucks of Howell Township, New Jersey in the drive...

THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!! This review departs from the customary format, as Starbucks is not typically a haunt of mine. It's not that I hold any aversion towards it; it simply isn't my preferred establishment.

However, today marks a significant shift in my patronage, as I hereby declare myself a steadfast adherent of Starbucks. Yet, this conversion isn't prompted by the coffee, but rather by the exemplary service I encountered. In a moment of folly, I found myself stranded, having depleted my fuel reserves along Route 9, barely managing to coast into the Starbucks parking lot.

In a matter of minutes, Matthew Repace, one of the managers, emerged to assist me in diagnosing the issue—a mere oversight on my part. Realizing the simplicity of the solution—more fuel—he promptly embarked on a mission to procure the necessary gasoline.

While I cannot speak to the usual standards of service at Starbucks, if it is customary for them to extend such magnanimous gestures, I humbly retract my initial indifference. Allow me to extend my sincere gratitude to Matt. Though perhaps Starbucks compels such actions to maintain the flow of its operations, the grace and warmth with which he attended to my predicament surpassed any expectation. Matt, you exemplify the epitome of courtesy and professionalism, and I am deeply thankful for your assistance...