Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
↑
2
↓
Question for y'all (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by dannyb2525
Doing a management project for university and since I haven't worked at Starbucks, I'll ask the experts. Do you think a ordering kiosk like McDonald's would help reduce service time and long lines?
ilovebrandonj 4 points 3y ago
There’s already mobile ordering so I’m not sure if a kiosk would really do anything since it would be the same wait time as ordering at the register. Register lines don’t stay super long, most of the wait is waiting for the drink after you order, which is why people mobile order
dannyb2525 [OP] 2 points 3y ago
So in your opinion what would help reduce lines and service time like if you had to bring it to a room of executives?
I tried saying maybe harder promotion and recognition of the mobile ordering system but we're not sure if it's strong enough for a 15 minute presentation :/
I tried saying maybe harder promotion and recognition of the mobile ordering system but we're not sure if it's strong enough for a 15 minute presentation :/
ilovebrandonj 2 points 3y ago
The problem is that it’s already pretty dang efficient. The only way to get things out faster would be if you had bigger stores with more drink making stations and more baristas, but that’s not a feasible solution.
The best thing to reduce times would be for the drinks to be less complicated. Like scale the menu back to the traditional coffee drinks and get rid of the crazy promotional drinks.
The best thing to reduce times would be for the drinks to be less complicated. Like scale the menu back to the traditional coffee drinks and get rid of the crazy promotional drinks.
dannyb2525 [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Good to know that what I wrote in my paper was on point. After asking around I noticed that trend too that the system is solid it's just the inconsistencies people face come to just plain human error that cannot be adjusted whether it's customers or employees. Like someone in my class said to hire more people and I was like well that wouldn't work because in my Starbucks the counter space is so small adding four more partners for just the drive thru would have everyone tripping over each other. So the problem lies in the actual drinks itself and complexity of itself.
havensward 2 points 3y ago
What's more, Starbucks has already introduced pick up only (i.e., mobile orders) stores and drive through only stores. Starbucks lives on efficiency, to the point where it gives requirements on making drinks that will save a second here and half a second there. It may be a bad choice for your project.
colonade17 1 points 3y ago
It really depends on a lot of factors. The main advantage is that ordering kiosks or mobile/online orders reduces slack time by creating orders when no-one is in line, which naturally increases productivity. But the devil is in the details, Kiosks only help if you're properly staffed to take advantage of them.
You also have to consider how you do the kiosks, will they replace people? supplement them, and if so what's the ratio of kiosks to in person ordering?
Kiosks also take an average user longer to order because customers are less familiar with navigating the system than an employee. Though experienced regulars will typically order faster than with a person. So you also have to consider the ratio of these different kinds of customers.
I would also take a step back and consider if you even want to reduce wait times. When a customer is waiting in line they're in front of many impulse items, and waiting 2 minutes instead of 1 minute increases the chance that they'll buy something extra, and for most customers that extra minute wait is a trivial inconvenience. But at 5 minutes waiting becomes annoying.
You also have to consider how you do the kiosks, will they replace people? supplement them, and if so what's the ratio of kiosks to in person ordering?
Kiosks also take an average user longer to order because customers are less familiar with navigating the system than an employee. Though experienced regulars will typically order faster than with a person. So you also have to consider the ratio of these different kinds of customers.
I would also take a step back and consider if you even want to reduce wait times. When a customer is waiting in line they're in front of many impulse items, and waiting 2 minutes instead of 1 minute increases the chance that they'll buy something extra, and for most customers that extra minute wait is a trivial inconvenience. But at 5 minutes waiting becomes annoying.
BuffyBoltonVampFlayr 1 points 3y ago
Well, we do have the option to place orders via mobile which I guess is kinda like an ordering kiosk, but imo it doesn't help speed up service times or long lines (at least in my constantly busy ass store) because it's still another order that needs to be made, so really it kinda *increases* service times for, the other customers at least.
dannyb2525 [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Yeaahh that's the problem with this project is that there's nothing really concrete you can change for a 15 minute presentation. So what do you think would help cut down service times and lines in an ideal situation?
BuffyBoltonVampFlayr 1 points 3y ago
Ideally? Additional espresso bars and enough baristas to man them. There's currently 2 bars (and sometimes only 1 barista working both. Obviously not during peak times, though) and an additional oven (again, 2 ovens per actual store).
But both of those things take up a lot of space and are quite expensive so they're both pretty much out of the question, sadly.
I honestly can't really think of much else that would alleviate lines and times. Unfortunately, even the best, most well oiled and highly efficient teams are gonna struggle to cut down lines and times without those extras, imo.
But both of those things take up a lot of space and are quite expensive so they're both pretty much out of the question, sadly.
I honestly can't really think of much else that would alleviate lines and times. Unfortunately, even the best, most well oiled and highly efficient teams are gonna struggle to cut down lines and times without those extras, imo.
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.