Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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I have no idea what the “customer support cycle” is and at this point I’m too afraid to ask (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by trouble-in-space
ddebdesdemonaa 197 points 8m ago
It’s you as one person holding the whole store together ahahaha
mama_bibi 58 points 8m ago
But literally. Most days I'm doing 3 positions and I genuinely try to quiet quit but like if I didn't work as hard as I do then the store would probably explode. I should just let it but it ain't in my blood to let it go. So here I am 🤡 doing more than I get paid to do on a daily fuckin basis
ddebdesdemonaa 25 points 8m ago
I feel this in my soul! Literally it’s the handful of partners (you and I included) who actually feel this way and give a shit enough to work harder than the paygrade (or have it engraved into their being to be a hard good working employee ) that keep the store going.
TarantulaTeeth13 9 points 8m ago
I'm the night closing shift for the 5th highest volume store in my region. I always put 2 on CS cause we'd never get out on time other wise. And it's rough being the only one doing it when it's busy
ApartPresentation790 149 points 8m ago
hey it’s just the order you do stuff on CS
Brew Coffee,
Check Cafe/Patio/Bathrooms,
Bar Restock,
Dishes/Backups ,
Every 30 mins repeat
Brew Coffee,
Check Cafe/Patio/Bathrooms,
Bar Restock,
Dishes/Backups ,
Every 30 mins repeat
I_Main_Oru 114 points 8m ago
My training was a little bit whacky and honestly I found out the other day that caramel machiatos get vanilla syrup 😭
watched17 69 points 8m ago
I made flat white whites for a year without knowing they get an extra shot 🥴
barlemniscate 46 points 8m ago
And they're ristretto shots.
darkwolf523 42 points 8m ago
Cafe vanilla Frappuccino with vanilla instead of vanilla bean though.
Water-is-h2o 36 points 8m ago
HCM gets 1/1/2/2, not 2/3/4/5 pumps of HB
Ok_Inflation5578 7 points 8m ago
WHAt
darkwolf523 7 points 8m ago
Hey in my defense. No one told me 😭 I thought it was literally vanilla Frappuccino
HarleySpicedLatte 2 points 8m ago
That's what I was thinking
PineConeEagleMan 3 points 8m ago
Oof, I did that for months too
darkwolf523 2 points 7m ago
Rip man
HarleySpicedLatte 3 points 8m ago
I've known ppl to work for years getting this one wrong.
darkwolf523 2 points 8m ago
I didn’t know til I saw the Starbucks app and it can tell you.
lightcolorsfly 1 points 8m ago
THEY GET AN EXTRA SHOT?!
Better_Dust_2364 32 points 8m ago
My whole store making strawberry cream fraps without classic for at least full year
ddebdesdemonaa 3 points 8m ago
Wait you’re telling me it has classic in it 😭
Flowerfuls 23 points 8m ago
I used to make mocha cookie fraps with the topping inside instead of Java chips 🫣
I_like_to_know 9 points 8m ago
Mocha cookie fraps get Java chips???? Oops...
lunaflect 5 points 8m ago
Mocha cookie crumble and Java chip are the same drink only MCC gets whip on the bottom with cookie pieces bottom and top
nikkicarter1111 9 points 8m ago
So do hot chocolates!
EDIT: It has come to my attention that this is a goddamn lie
EDIT: It has come to my attention that this is a goddamn lie
violaaesthetic 15 points 8m ago
Where have you been for the last 2 years?
nikkicarter1111 8 points 8m ago
Wait did they change it???
violaaesthetic 9 points 8m ago
Yeah it was a long time ago now lol. I think when they introduced the shaken espresso?
Magnumxl711 7 points 8m ago
I never had proper training and for 6 months I made salted caramel cold foam with dark caramel, and I didn’t know that cold bar gets half pumps.
ubik-uitious 3 points 8m ago
in your defense dark caramel sccf sounds SO good. the normal caramel syrup tastes like chemical ass i swear it ruins everything it goes into
[deleted] 1 points 8m ago
[removed]
Assiqtaq 1 points 8m ago
And one less pump of it.
Low_Committee_1312 1 points 8m ago
Hahahaha
Hot-Independence8670 74 points 8m ago
honestly at my store at least everyone has their own idea of what it is… i believe the reason it’s called “customer support” is that is USED to be a role where you went in the cafe and chatted with customers, stuff like that
at my store, it’s way too busy to constantly be worrying about the cafe being swept or chatting with customers. for me i always start with brewing coffee, then refill basic necessities like ice, milk, cups/lids. while always keeping an eye on things like trashes that need to go out and dishes.
then i’ll move on to backups, wiping down cafe, etc.
when you’re trained you’re taught that the second part of the cycle is tending to customers in the cafe, but we truly are never staffed enough for that and it sucks but making sure partners have what they need for drinks is more important
at my store, it’s way too busy to constantly be worrying about the cafe being swept or chatting with customers. for me i always start with brewing coffee, then refill basic necessities like ice, milk, cups/lids. while always keeping an eye on things like trashes that need to go out and dishes.
then i’ll move on to backups, wiping down cafe, etc.
when you’re trained you’re taught that the second part of the cycle is tending to customers in the cafe, but we truly are never staffed enough for that and it sucks but making sure partners have what they need for drinks is more important
phox325 17 points 8m ago
Oof, if only that was how CS started...as I recall, it's always been the way you describe it, unfortunately. I believe they originally called it Store Support, but when they realized partners were ignoring customers while tending to things FOH, they renamed it to emphasize the customer focus. But they never actually changed the duties, so that was pretty pointless...
Hot-Independence8670 7 points 8m ago
yeah, like i’m sorry but i care more about making backups and filling things for my partners on bar than wiping down tables. of course if it’s absolutely gross in cafe i’ll make time to clean it but as long as the sugars and napkins are full and there’s no spills in the cafe/full trashes i’m not doing anything if i don’t have time
nicolelynnejones 57 points 8m ago
It’s the cycle task list that you should have a card for, but honestly this time of year it’s just restocking everything for bar every few minutes
marklandia 49 points 8m ago
CS wears the brewing timer. Check Brew Batch Guidance. 3 coffees 10 minute timer, 2 coffees 15 minutes, Pike only 30 minutes.
* Start coffee timer. Brew coffee. Restock ice, beans, sleeves, cups, lids.
* Wipe counters, handoff planes, check sani timer & smallwares timer. Check lobby/patio, wipe tables, check trash.
* Complete 1 item on the Cycle Task List (posted on BOH fridge)
* Check PlayBuilder and scroll to the bottom to find current daypart cleaning task. Ask Playcaller if it’s “disruptive”.
beep beep beep, start over
* Start coffee timer. Brew coffee. Restock ice, beans, sleeves, cups, lids.
* Wipe counters, handoff planes, check sani timer & smallwares timer. Check lobby/patio, wipe tables, check trash.
* Complete 1 item on the Cycle Task List (posted on BOH fridge)
* Check PlayBuilder and scroll to the bottom to find current daypart cleaning task. Ask Playcaller if it’s “disruptive”.
beep beep beep, start over
Dry-Consideration763 41 points 8m ago
Quite literally a 3 step process:
1)brew coffee
2)check cafe/bathrooms and spot clean
3)Do the cycle task list until it is time to brew again
1)brew coffee
2)check cafe/bathrooms and spot clean
3)Do the cycle task list until it is time to brew again
b99__throwaway 10 points 8m ago
nope. after step 2 you do any and all restocks and then move on to the cycle task
romanianhopscotch 27 points 8m ago
Does anyone remember when they wanted the customer support person to just like hang out in the lobby and take people’s garbage and ask them how they liked their drinks or whatever?
Lcolecrochet 11 points 8m ago
And make samples and hand them out!
Creative-Clothes-520 12 points 8m ago
Check the fridge on bar and cold bar Check ice bins check espresso bean hoppers check brewed coffee stock lids check iced coffee and cold brew flip trash do lobby slide do dishes I do this in cycles all day and take breaks in the cycle to address barista needs as they come up on the fly
Creative-Clothes-520 8 points 8m ago
If you really want to stand out and it’s not too busy refill backups of the sauce and chai base refresher base and frap roast that you use so you don’t have tons of backups after peak to catch up on
paintthatface 10 points 8m ago
So it’s not just my store :( training has gone down the drain.
Ricenoodlerolls 10 points 8m ago
I just started last week and they had me doing coverage on hot/cold bar on my third day like wtf
trouble-in-space [OP] 10 points 8m ago
It really has. I had to research and teach myself a LOT of things
Swimming-Fee-2445 8 points 8m ago
Can we all agree that CS is probably the most important role in the store?? You’re literally doing everything to keep the store running smoothly and people shit on you if you’re not fast enough getting them more whips.
vegan-trash 8 points 8m ago
Brew coffee, check lobby. Figure it out for 27 minutes
oshian_ 7 points 8m ago
my store doesn’t even do that, some of the partners go on CS just to sit in the back and “wash dishes” without a headset so they can’t hear people on the floor asking for refills 😭
MountainGoat999 7 points 8m ago
1) Brew coffees
2) restock stations
3) check cafe
4) do something off the CS task list, usually changing garbages, filling kegs etc
2) restock stations
3) check cafe
4) do something off the CS task list, usually changing garbages, filling kegs etc
xsammieheartx 6 points 8m ago
Genuinely not sure either. My trainer explained it but I forgot it within the hour I learned it lmfao. When I'm on CS I usually just stock, clean counters/lobby, change trashes, and help with mobiles or brewing. If I can't find anything to do, I do dishes all day.
Karl_Rover 5 points 8m ago
Brew coffee, restock bar, lobby sweep, do a load of dishes, cry in trashroom, rinse & repeat
icedcoffeenoclassic 4 points 8m ago
BRO THIS WHOLE THREAD CRACKS ME UP 🫣😩🤌🏻
catpants243 4 points 8m ago
As someone who's been there for 2 years and still think it's the most confusing role to have, I feel you. It's just a fancy word to run around and do things in between when the coffee is brewing though. You get 10 minutes to do dishes or clean or do backups or get milks while the coffee timer is going and then you stop whatever you're doing to brew more coffee, do it all over again.
In theory, not too confusing, in PRACTICE, terrible at it lol.
In theory, not too confusing, in PRACTICE, terrible at it lol.
malrosen 3 points 8m ago
Real talk, why is it called customer support when you’re legit helping the baristas. It should be barista support???
dlcksuck 3 points 8m ago
Honestly I’ve got no clue and I’m a 289 lol. None of my stores have really had a set thing about it I normally just do whatever needs to be done
youjustgottaignite 3 points 8m ago
I NEVER follow it. We kind of do it at my store but we freestyle it tbh.
Sacred_succotash 2 points 8m ago
You get a designated CS person these days? Lol 😂
trouble-in-space [OP] 2 points 8m ago
Hardly. Whenever I’m on bar I end up having to do most CS things myself
Sacred_succotash 1 points 7m ago
Honey same.
TheSiren33 2 points 8m ago
Customer support:
Brew coffee and start your timer if you are only brewing one batch of coffee (pike) set timer for 30 minutes your cycle should last 30 minutes. If two coffees then 15 and if three coffees 10 minute cycles. (30 min cycle) During your cycle after you’ve brewed your pike check Bar *ice, cups,lids,milk, espresso beans* next go to cafe wipe down tables and put them back to there correct places if moved and if time allows for this cafe sweep (personally I also like to make it a habit to check mobile hand off and make sure it’s organized) then start on back ups *whips, mocha, wm, chai, refreshers, teas* lastly finish up with a cycle task whether it be a load or two of dishes or a huge trash run or checking the bathrooms. The more cycles you do the less jobs you’ll have and will be able to focus on more tasks and
Brew coffee and start your timer if you are only brewing one batch of coffee (pike) set timer for 30 minutes your cycle should last 30 minutes. If two coffees then 15 and if three coffees 10 minute cycles. (30 min cycle) During your cycle after you’ve brewed your pike check Bar *ice, cups,lids,milk, espresso beans* next go to cafe wipe down tables and put them back to there correct places if moved and if time allows for this cafe sweep (personally I also like to make it a habit to check mobile hand off and make sure it’s organized) then start on back ups *whips, mocha, wm, chai, refreshers, teas* lastly finish up with a cycle task whether it be a load or two of dishes or a huge trash run or checking the bathrooms. The more cycles you do the less jobs you’ll have and will be able to focus on more tasks and
vegan-trash 2 points 8m ago
Exactly.
nightimevil 2 points 8m ago
Step 1: Brew Coffee
Step 2: Refresh customer areas. (Restocking napkins for example.)
Step 3: Do a cycle task. (Ex. Whips.)
Step 4: Repeat.
Take care of your timers (sanitizer, lobby, smallwares) as they go off.
If you ever have any questions, NEVER be afraid to ask. It's the only way to help yourself. I'd also recommend checking the store resources if you forget what the cycle is, it has it on there.
Edit: Before anyone tries to correct me, I've looked at this and taught this cycle. This is how corporate puts it, so this is what I say. I grab stuff for my team as needed, and am always willing to drop step 2&3 for them.
Step 2: Refresh customer areas. (Restocking napkins for example.)
Step 3: Do a cycle task. (Ex. Whips.)
Step 4: Repeat.
Take care of your timers (sanitizer, lobby, smallwares) as they go off.
If you ever have any questions, NEVER be afraid to ask. It's the only way to help yourself. I'd also recommend checking the store resources if you forget what the cycle is, it has it on there.
Edit: Before anyone tries to correct me, I've looked at this and taught this cycle. This is how corporate puts it, so this is what I say. I grab stuff for my team as needed, and am always willing to drop step 2&3 for them.
bellamythos 3 points 8m ago
I’ve never heard of a lobby timer before - what do y’all use it for?
nightimevil 2 points 8m ago
Lobby timer: every 4 hours the lobby should be fully sanitized (outside tables too), any big pieces of trash picked up, bathrooms checked (and stocked if possible), door(s) cleaned, and trashcans checked (and redone if needed). (This is just my mental checklist, and it takes a bit since I'm extra thorough when it comes to doing the lobby. I'm usually running around as CS, so I don't get to always sanitize everything during the 30 minute cycle. I've yet to have a shift tell me I'm doing it wrong, but I'm open to someone adding onto this list to ensure that I'm getting everything clean!)
This is just how my store does it. My original store was awful (like they only ever put sanitizer out in the morning and that was it), so I'm not sure how other stores do it. This way if you don't sanitize everything during the CS cycle, everything still gets sanitized routinely.
This is just how my store does it. My original store was awful (like they only ever put sanitizer out in the morning and that was it), so I'm not sure how other stores do it. This way if you don't sanitize everything during the CS cycle, everything still gets sanitized routinely.
gingergal-n-dog 2 points 8m ago
Please ask you sm to go over this with you! You probably aren't the only person at your store with this question.
CS is vital for store success. Don't be afraid. 😊
CS is vital for store success. Don't be afraid. 😊
xylophonezygote 2 points 8m ago
MOOD LMAO
dontgiveah00t 2 points 8m ago
Brew coffee, restock (syrups, milks, cups, lids, ice, beans) dishes, prep if you have time then repeat. Basically a go-fer
ProgrammerGeneral149 2 points 8m ago
So if you have 3 coffees going; ie pike, blonde, and dark, you will set your CS timer for 10 min. Then check lobby and do a task in the remaining time and once it goes off brew a new batch alternating between a new pike, then a new blonde, and lastly a new dark in a cycle (every 10 min). If you have two coffees going the timer will be set for and you will follow the same steps: lobby (wiping down tables, sweeping, restocking napkins, pulling trashes, etc.), complete tasks, brew new batch alternating between the two (every 15 min). And for one coffee set the timer for 30 min, check the lobby, complete tasks, and brew more coffee every 30 min. Hope this helped I know that many things have changed since I was hired on in June 2019. Good luck fellow partners!💚☕️
clh408 2 points 8m ago
Coffee, rtd&e, condiment bar, trashes outside of main floor area. + working on task list(I keep one at register with a paperclip to know where I left off) then repeat.
IdLikeToBuyA-Vowel 1 points 8m ago
I still don’t know Clean Play
astrid-stars 1 points 8m ago
My favorite role ever lol even though it has the word customer it it’s really more like partner support, making sure everything is stocked and refilled and stuff like that
mangotangoafterdark 1 points 8m ago
no one uses it
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