With a number of Starbucks in Harlem, it caught our eyes when in a letter to employees, Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson said that the company plans to gradually reopen a large number of stores throughout May.
Like other brick-and-mortar establishments, the coffee chain is currently only serving guests through its drive-thru lanes in an effort to prevent the spread of Starbucks. Johnson said Starbucks has been using its experience in China to help it decide on a timeline for reopening U.S. locations.
Johnson noted that 95 percent of Starbucks’ stores are open, although many are operating with reduced hours and limited seating in compliance with local guidelines.
“We are leveraging our experience in China to inform our COVID-19 response strategy in the U.S,” he said. “Although the virus did not begin to materially impact our U.S. business results until mid-March, we took progressive steps to contain the spread of the virus starting in late February.”
The executive said Starbucks’ efforts to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus included stepping up its cleaning and sanitization procedures and temporarily closing mall locations.
Increasing worker pay
Going forward, the plan is to gradually expand the types of services available at various locations. Types of service offered will vary between mobile ordering, drive-thru, pickup, and the addition of to-go services at some locations.
In a separate letter, Rossann Williams, president of U.S. company-operated business and Canada, said Starbucks will continue to offer an additional $3 per hour pay to healthy individuals who choose to work next month.
“We will also continue to have Catastrophe Pay available for partners whose stores have to close, or stay closed, during May,” she said. “And in order to ensure partners are paid for their average baseline hours, we will make Catastrophe Pay available to help close the gap between hours worked on Service Pay and average baseline hours through May 31.
Regular operations, pay, and benefits are expected to be reinstated starting in June reports Consumer Affairs.
Become a Harlem Insider!
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Harlem World Magazine, 2521 1/2 west 42nd street, Los Angeles, CA, 90008, https://www.harlemworldmagazine.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
