On bar, always try to sequence your drinks. If youve got a grande latte's shots pulling and milk steaming, you should be pumping that next drink's syrups while you wait.

just be willing to ask questions! being slower and getting it right is better than being quick and getting it wrong and having to redo it. (this goes for ANYTHING;; making drinks, back ups, hot coffee, teas, etc.) if you aren’t 100% sure then ask! as a partner of 2.5 years, i still have to ask sometimes and that okay!

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Tbh customers aren’t as bad as horror stories you may have heard. People just want to rant about the negative experiences, but most customers are just normal people. They’re usually happy to be getting their frappuccinos and teas and stuff. Everyone has to go to sbux for the first time at some point, or try something new the first time, or learn to use the reward system... be considerate if someone is a little confused. If you notice someone waiting, engage them. And regulars really do appreciate being known and having a conversation with you.

Nightmare stories... two days ago, this grandma came through drive with her grandkids shrieking in the passenger and back seats. She pulls up to the speaker, and screams at them to shut up. She orders a trenta peach green tea “no sugar no ice”, with 3 venti ice cups. We had to remake it because she also didn’t want water, either, and hollered at us for that. Then it wasn’t sweet enough (she started a diet, she said, and is TRYING to cut back on sugar, which is apparently Our Problem), so we had to remake it with more juice. The juice is...basically a syrup. She hands it to her granddaughter, who spilled it all over her and the car when they came to a stop sign in our plaza... so ofc she came right back to get a remake and scream at our ASM over the sugars in the juice and the new sippy lids.

Otoh, that day I also saw plenty of our lovely regulars, one of whom brought us donuts, and another who gave us a $5 tip. But the screamin’ grandma story is funnier.