XLY - Starbucks Plagued With Long Wait Times Staffing Issues: Report | Benzinga
Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ:SBUX) baristas are facing an increasing problem with rapid drink orders but fewer staff to fulfill them.
In some locations, where five people previously made iced macchiatos and double-shot espressos, there are now only three or four workers, according to a report from Bloomberg.
This staffing reduction, employees say, is partly due to an algorithm used by Starbucks to manage store labor. The company utilizes an algorithm that considers various factors like order forecasts and product availability to suggest staffing levels.
However, employees argue that it doesn’t account for the extra time needed for numerous special customer requests, such as additional espresso shots or cold foam, and the impact of corporate promotions.
This results in longer wait times, and customers are growing increasingly frustrated, according to Bloomberg.
Starbucks disputes claims of understaffing, but admits that longer wait times have led to the first quarterly sales decline since 2020.
Over the past 18 months, the company has updated its labor algorithm and staffing policies to meet demand, according to Chief Reinvention ...