I think they're referring to the total labor hours (everyone's hours put together) your store is allowed in a given pay period. Stores are not only maxed based on how busy (# of customers) they are in store, on drive through (when applicable), and through mobile, but also based on the volume (number of items/tasks a barista needs to complete) of each order. Taking away customers and the volume of their orders could lead to cuts in labor hours. Short of people quitting or being fired, that means every hourly employee will see their hours drop accordingly.

Furthermore, it affects the number of employees per shift. Say the morning crew of a drive through store had a good number of people during the rush because of including mobiles, but hours get cut because of less mobiles, which doesn't affect either drive through or café volume. The store is still slammed, but now they're a person down. The person is out hours AND now it's more complicated to give out breaks and change plays (where people are assigned) to complete non-customer facing tasks (e.g. cleaning, making cold brew, unpacking stock, making back ups). When the mid day crew arrives, they're now behind because they have to complete those tasks instead, despite probably having their own rush and already having the tasks for that shift to complete. The fact that baristas may transfer to the new stores can make this even harder.

Also, you're presuming that the volume of the mobile only location could support employees from every store impacted by those cuts. They're only going to be given labor hours based on their volume, and since this is a corporation, that will be as trimmed as possible.

The question isn't whether mobile only stores will effect other stores' labor hours (and yes, any new store would impact this), it's how bad it would be district by district. Look at a place like NYC... The number of locations is high because there's just that much volume to go around. But my district? A mobile only store would likely lead to another lower volume store closing. That's a lot of staff to relocate, just to make it marginally easier for people on bar.

If they’re already there that’s one thing. It’s another when a person mobile orders, then comes in before I even have the chance to grab their sticker, and they’re staring me down like a hawk. And this happens a lot. Or people will just stare aimlessly and then I’ll ask if they’re waiting for a mobile order and they’ll say “yes.” Tell me your name please. Every second counts 😂 I’m ranting. It’s certainly not something I’m going to quit my job over.

Right? Or when they order a venti frappuchino and then grab a short coffee then ask, “is this mine?” Or when they ask that question in general. Idk, is it? What’s your name and what did you order since I wasn’t the one who rang you up? All of those instances just throw me off my groove 😂