Lance,  I saw the report on troubles at Starbucks.  I'm not a customer so was interested in how they are doing.  Seems like they have overwhelmed the customer base and are paying some heavy penalties for it.

Bill,

Yes, I concur with that observation, especially in major Markets. I know you have at least 6 starbucks that I know of in Fort Myers, Fort Myers beach has one, maybe two now? I believe they are predatory in the market place to mom-pop coffee places and in doing this strategy are also "canibalizing" their own sales, something that is a huge topic of conversations at the annual IFA International Franchise Association meetings and eventhough Starbucks isn't a franchise it still falls in the canibalizing debate. Too much in your face caffeine was sure to cause this problem. Lance

This is very interesting.  Anyone who works heavily with technology knows that something that was supposed to make things easier usually makes it more complicating.  The jury is still out deliberating on this one for me!

Lance, here in Willow Glen, Starbucks has doubled the number of stores, in some cases having stores literally a few hundred yards apart.  I asked a manager about this and she said that the theory was that people like to hang out at Starbucks, so if one store becomes overwhelmed, they look for opportunities to put another store in the same area.  As for mom and pop, I hate hot coffee, but I love coffee milkshakes.  I've been laughed out of snobbish mom and pops for asking for iced or blended coffee.  Also Starbucks was originally a successful local brand that transitioned to a global brand based on quality assurance.  I've had Starbucks from Maine to Malaysia and the quality was the same.  I'll trade that for the absence of local brands, many of whom would gladly franchise their name if someone else offered to do all the work.

Frank,

Yes I drink the Foo Foo Drinks too, I like the Frappachinos, not the hot coffee. You make some good points here. Lance

Lance- I don't do fast food so it is not an issue for me. Now, if Whole Foods tries this then I will just have to do something about it! :)