Starbucks — Restaurant in Mount Pleasant

I've been going to this Starbucks about 4 times a week for the past 2 years or so. I do the occasional surveys but I've never left any sort of detailed feedback. Since I have some free time today, I figured I would do just that. In short, I can't praise this store and its employees highly enough, and I think they definitely deserve some sort of recognition.

From a business perspective, I've always admired the Starbucks corporate culture and approach to customer service, and its subsequent embodiment in its stores, practices, and employees. Obviously some stores adhere to those standards more "loosely" than others, but I think my local store is a prime example of what a Starbucks store should be, as well as what the company wants a Starbucks store to be, and the company should be proud to have the employees this store houses.

I've lived in Mt. Pleasant for 6 years now, and the store in my hometown of Rock Hill, SC doesn't come close to the Coleman Blvd. store in ANY category. The store manager, Brandy, possesses an unwavering resolve and impressive social acumen. She and everyone else who work there - Megan, Ashley, Alex, Terrence (who, according to this chalkboard in front of me, won partner of the quarter), Patrick, and Maggie - have an unequivocal dedication to making sure customers enjoy what they order and leave with a smile on their face, no matter what it takes. It boggles my mind seeing patrons who have the nerve to get angry and complain and make a fuss about the most trivial things, and how some customers think things like the shortcomings or errors of the Starbucks app, or a specific company policy, are somehow the fault of the baristas. I've seen the cashiers have to deal with the most enigmatic, nonsensical complaints; they handle them in a calm, polite manner every single time, which I think is a feat in itself.

By my calculations, I've visited this store about 400 times. The cashiers and baristas are always happy and smiling, even when it's obvious they're probably not having a great day. These guys somehow easily remember my name and my semi-complicated drink, even though I'm not even an every day regular, which I think is very impressive. Sometimes they have the cup sharpie'd before I even get to the counter. From customer service to cleanliness to drink quality, everything about this store exceeds expectations, and I have visited many different Starbucks stores all over the United States. I understand that all the aforementioned things are part of employee training, policy, and culture, but the actual execution of them is something that I think cannot be measured quantitatively. It must be seen and experienced, and I'm glad I get to experience it a few...

I ordered two cascara cold foam cold brews and they informed me they were out, but offered me an alternative. I said ok but when I tasted them they were just bad. It took 10 minutes for me to receive my drinks (it wasn’t busy) so I really didn’t want to wait more but I ended up going back in and telling them I wasn’t happy with my drinks. I ordered regular iced coffee instead and asked that I be refunded so I could pay for the cheaper iced coffee. The shift lead on at that time was very unaccommodating. She never apologized once and said that if I wanted a refund, I would have to get in the back of the line of what was then at least 5 people in order to do so. While I’m waiting, THEN she decides to open up a second register to start helping the customers faster. My quick trip to Starbucks ended up taking 20 minutes. I am unimpressed by the poor customer service I received and with all the other Starbucks locations, I will not spend my time or money at this one again.

I used to work for Starbucks and I entirely understand how much it sucks to have a customer complain about their beverage. But I was always taught to be accommodating and to apologize, and try to rectify the situation. This is not the treatment I received.

P.S. the iced coffee I ordered in place of the cascara cold brew was also not good. I go to Starbucks frequently and always get either iced coffee or the cascara cold brew. Seems like there are some serious quality control issues on top of poor...

Horrible service. I went in and asked if there was anything on the drink menu gluten free because I have celiac disease and the guy looked at me like I was crazy and said “I have no idea” I said is there a way to find out? Thinking that, like most food and bev places, they had an allergy guide or someone in charge who was knowledgeable about what is in the food/drinks they sell- and he goes “…..I mean….I could google it” and I said would the manager know? He says “I am the manager.” REALLY!? you are the manager and have no idea what is in your drinks or if there is a SINGLE thing on the drink menu without gluten?? If you are in charge of an establishment in the food and bev industry, you should be knowledgeable about what options you have for customers with allergies (or autoimmune diseases in my case). That was truly a first for me- I have NEVER been anywhere where the manager did not educate themselves on ingredients/ cross contamination possibilities for those with allergies/illnesses that keep them from being able to enjoy what others can. SO unprofessional and rude. They need someone invested in their business and customers in charge. We walked out and...