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☆ A product manager who worked at Meta and Google reveals which company is best for work-life balance
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

A Meta product manager who also worked at Google in a similar role revealed some differences between the tech companies based on his experiences over the past six years. AdvertisementCompany transparencyMeta does maintain some of the transparency the company was known for in its earlier days, McKinnon wrote. At Meta, McKinnon was aware of what other teams were working on, partly through the company's internal forums and dashboards. At Google, employees mostly communicate through email or chat, so it's more difficult to know what everyone is doing, McKinnon wrote. At Google, McKinnon saw that projects were largely created and led by software engineers, and PMs played a more auxiliary role.

Persons: —, Daniel McKinnon, Ray, McKinnon, Googlers, Meta's, Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar, Alphabet's, Sundar Pichai wasn't, Zuckerberg, Meta, VPs, Susan Li Organizations: Meta, Google, Service, Unit, Business, Facebook, . Software Engineers Locations: Meta

☆ Analysts bail on Starbucks with 2 downgrades, slashed price targets. 'Stunning across-the-board miss,' says Blair
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Pia Singh | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

But Deutsche kept its $89 price target, which suggests the stock could gain just 0.6%, as of Tuesday's close. Starbucks stock hasn't logged a positive year since 2021. Bank of America's Sara Senatore maintained her buy rating and $108 price target, which implies roughly 22% potential upside — a fairly bullish aim compared with other firms. Underpinning Senatore's stance is her expectation that Starbucks' earnings growth will reaccelerate in 2025, fueled by traffic-driving initiatives, such as more menu innovation and operational improvements. JPMorgan analyst John Ivankoe kept his overweight rating but moved his price target lower to $92 from $100.

Persons: William Blair, Sharon Zackfia, Zackfia, Lauren Silberman, Deutsche, Wells, Bank of America's Sara Senatore, Laxman Narasimhan, John Ivankoe Organizations: Starbucks, Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan, UBS, Bank of America, Bank of America's Locations: Tuesday's, U.S, China, Wells Fargo, Israel

☆ Nvidia employees are getting richer with a 'special Jensen grant' that boosts their stock awards by 25%
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Nvidia is increasing employee compensation with a stock grant named after CEO Jensen Huang. The "Jensen special grant" awards an additional 25% of the initial stock grant given to employees. The one-off grant is an extra 25% of the initial amount of stock units given to employees when they joined. The grant is in addition to any annual equity refreshers employees get each quarter that are based on individual performance. One person suggested the special Jensen grant is being handed out to ensure employees still benefit even if the share price falls back in the coming years.

Persons: Jensen Huang, Jensen, —, Jensen Huang —, Huang, Jeremy Siegel Organizations: Nvidia, Service, Bloomberg, Microsoft, Apple

☆ I went from making $15K to nearly $700K over my career at Oracle, Apple, and Meta. Here's how I increased my total compensation.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

My salary journey in Big Tech has seen my total compensation — which includes base salary, bonuses, and stocks — increase from $15,000 in 2012 to $685,000 in 2024. I'm a staff software engineer and have worked at three different tech companies, moving from Oracle to Apple to Meta. In California, labor laws make it illegal for employers to ask you about your current salary and salary history. That could involve switching from a non-tech job to a tech job or taking a short-term hit for long-term gain. Unless the employer offers a significant pay bump along the way, total compensation usually takes a drop after this vesting period.

Persons: Sandeep Rao, —, I'm, I've, it's, Glassdoor, haven't, Jane Zhang Organizations: Meta, Apple, Oracle, Service, Business, Big Tech, Microsoft, Carnegie Mellon University, Grad, Employers, Carnegie Mellon Locations: San Jose , California, India, Pittsburgh, Cupertino , California, Menlo Park , California, California, janezhang@businessinsider.com

☆ I'm a former Starbucks barista. These 5 drinks are so overrated — here's what to order instead.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Inga Parkel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

If you like the Pink Drink, you should try the even better Mango Dragonfruit Refresher. Starbucks' Caramel Apple Spice is much better than its Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Mary Meisenzahl/InsiderThe most anticipated holiday drink is the Pumpkin Spice Latte, but the real MVP for autumn is the Caramel Apple Spice. Nitro cold brew is basically a smoother, less watery version of regular cold brew — it's pre-chilled, so ice is omitted from the drink. The Pink Drink is overrated – Mango Dragonfruit is the best Refresher If you like the Pink Drink, try some other Refreshers.

Persons: —, Mary Meisenzahl, Frappuccino, Paige DiFiore Organizations: Service, Starbucks Locations: mocha

☆ Starbucks is trialing late-night coffee deliveries for people who get midnight caffeine cravings
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Starbucks customers in Philadelphia can get the chain's coffee delivered in the middle of the night. Delivery makes up just 2% of Starbucks' orders, though customers generally spend more per transaction. Around three dozen employees were trained to prepare Starbucks orders at the two sites, it reported. Some of the Starbucks drinks available on Gopuff at around 4:30 a.m. Delivery, which Narasimhan said on Tuesday makes up just 2% of its orders, is an area of focus for Starbucks.

Persons: baristas, Gopuff, —, Laxman Narasimhan, Narasimhan, Rachel Ruggeri, DoorDash Organizations: Starbucks, Service, Gopuff, Philadelphia Inquirer, DoorDash Locations: Philadelphia, Gopuff

☆ Teens love Starbucks for these 4 reasons
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

American teens have an enduring love for Starbucks. The coffee chain has consistently ranked high in a semiannual survey of teens' favorite brands. It offers four things that teens love: a place to hang, cold coffee, customization, and mobile ordering. "Starbucks gaining slightly among upper income and all teens points to its grasp on teen consumer trends." Starbucks is notably more popular among wealthy teens, of which 16% ranked it as their favorite, but 12% of average-income teens also told Piper Sandler it was their preferred restaurant chain.

Persons: —, Piper Sandler, Brian Mullan, it's, Brady Brewer, Brewer Organizations: Starbucks, Service

☆ Burgers and tacos don’t look like they do in ads. Lawsuits are trying to change that
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New York CNN —When it comes to food advertising, what you see is rarely what you get. In the ads, burgers look tall, heaped with meat and cheese, topped with golden, rounded buns. “Under this standard, a court asks whether a reasonable consumer would be misled by the product’s marketing or labeling,” he said. Lawsuits claim that burgers from McDonald's, Burger King and Wendy's don't look as they appear in ads. What you see is not what you getFor Patten, a reasonable consumer is an “average consumer.” The legal system, she said, often expect more from a reasonable consumer than she would from an average one.

Persons: James Kelly, Anthony Russo, Taco Bell, Burger, ”, Tommy Tobin, Perkins Coie, Russo, Kelly, Bonnie Patten, Spencer Sheehan, Sheehan, Katherine Frey, ” Tobin, ” Burger, “, Wendy’s, Wendy's, He’s, Patten, Patten’s, they’re, they’ve Organizations: New, New York CNN, Taco, UCLA Law, Washington Post, Getty, Starbucks, Burger King, Russo, Plaintiffs Locations: New York, Burger

REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Starbucks Corp FollowNEW YORK, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Starbucks (SBUX.O) was ordered by a federal judge on Monday to face a lawsuit claiming that several of its Refresher fruit beverages lacked a key ingredient: fruit. Consumers complained that Starbucks' Mango Dragonfruit, Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade, Pineapple Passionfruit, Pineapple Passionfruit Lemonade, Strawberry Açai and Strawberry Açai Lemonade Refreshers contained none of the advertised mango, passion fruit or açai. The judge dismissed a fraud claim, finding no proof Starbucks intended to defraud consumers, and an unjust enrichment claim. Starbucks in a statement called the allegations in the lawsuit "inaccurate and without merit," and said it looked forward to defending itself. The case is Kominis et al v Starbucks Corp, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No.

Persons: Lucas Jackson, John Cronan, Joan Kominis, Jason McAllister, Cronan, Robert Abiri, Jonathan Stempel, Aurora Ellis, Richard Chang, William Maclean Organizations: REUTERS, Companies Starbucks Corp, District, Starbucks, Consumers, Honey Citrus, Starbucks Corp, Court, Southern District of, Thomson Locations: Brooklyn, New York, U.S, Manhattan, Astoria , New York, Fairfield , California, Seattle, Southern District, Southern District of New York

☆ Why do we say tall instead of small? How Starbucks created its own language for ordering coffee
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( Ellie Stevens | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

When Starbucks was first founded in 1971, customers would walk in and ask for coffee beans: no modifications or refreshers. The shop featured a menu with the “Starbucks language” customers are familiar with today, including drinks such as espressos and lattes. Short and tall are other terms associated with the Italian coffee bar concept, used to describe the size of the drink. However, not everyone has embraced the Starbucks language. “I refuse to use Starbucks sizing.

Persons: Charles Lindsey, ” Lindsey, Howard Schultz, ”, Megan Adams, Schultz, Il Giornale, Giornale, Lindsey, “, Adams Organizations: New, New York CNN, Starbucks, University at Buffalo Locations: New York, Italy, United States, Iowa

☆ Starbucks adds third pumpkin drink to fall menu as chain celebrates 20 years of the pumpkin spice latte
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

As Starbucks celebrates the 20th anniversary of its pumpkin spice latte, the coffee chain is adding a third pumpkin drink to its fall menu. Starting Thursday, the iced pumpkin cream chai latte joins the company's existing pumpkin lineup, which also includes the pumpkin cream cold brew, returning for its fifth year. The seasonal menu addition comes as Starbucks customers increasingly choose cold drinks over hot options, no matter the temperature outside. Starbucks' more upscale Reserve locations, which also serve alcohol, will serve special pumpkin spice drinks for the first time, too. The Reserve fall menu includes a pumpkin spice espresso martini, playing off the espresso martini craze, and a pumpkin spice whiskey barrel-aged iced latte.

Persons: latte, Erin Stan Organizations: Starbucks Locations: TikTok

☆ Coffee chains are betting big on cold drinks as Gen Z turns its back on old-school coffees
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Cold drinks tend to cost more, but they can also cause headaches for staff. Cold drinks account for 75% of Starbucks' beverage sales. "The team is making good progress with its efforts to become a bigger player in the high-growth cold beverage category and saw cold beverage sales grow 16.6% year-over-year," Restaurant Brands International CEO Josh Kobza said. Tim Hortons' cold drinks menu looks remarkably like Starbucks' – especially in the US. Cold drinks can potentially reap higher profits for coffee chains because they tend to cost more and some customers opt for costly modifications.

Persons: Tim Hortons, Laxman Narasimhan, Josh Kobza, Kobza, Tim Hortons execs, Howard Schultz, Brady Brewer, Brewer, Baristas Organizations: Starbucks, Service, Brands Locations: Wall, Silicon, Canada, Maryland, Nebraska

☆ It's the hottest cold drink at Starbucks – and it barely contains any coffee
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Cold beverages, especially Refreshers, are driving sales at Starbucks. Starbucks Refreshers, a popular line of fruity drinks infused with green coffee extract, usually sell more in the afternoon. "This includes this summer's launch of our Starbucks Refreshers frozen beverages," Narasimhan said. Cold foam, the fastest-growing add-on at Starbucks, can be added to Refreshers, and Starbucks is rolling out "faster and easier to use" cold foam blenders "to meet the summer demand for Starbucks Refreshers frozen beverages," Narasimhan said. "The new blenders support the additional growth of cold foam, the fastest-growing customization at Starbucks," the CEO said.

Persons: they've, Laxman Narasimhan, Narasimhan, Rachel Ruggeri, Refreshers Organizations: Starbucks, Service Locations: Wall, Silicon, Refreshers

☆ Cold drinks are hotter than ever at Starbucks
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Cold beverages continue to be a fan favorite at Starbucks. Cold foam is the fastest growing add-on at Starbucks. But today, cold drinks are hotter than ever at that coffeehouse chain. Cold drinks accounted for 75% of beverage sales in the company's third quarter. Cold foam, in fact, is the fastest-growing add-on at Starbucks, he said.

Persons: We're, Laxman Narasimhan, Rachel Ruggeri, rollouts, Narasimhan, Ruggeri, That's Organizations: Starbucks . Food, Service, Starbucks Locations: Wall, Silicon, America

☆ Starbucks is changing its ice cubes
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Starbucks is changing its ice cubes. Customers who order cold beverages will now sip on “nugget ice” in their drinks, ice pieces which are smaller than the chain’s current cubes. The nuggets don’t melt any faster, the company said, and the switch to nuggets doesn’t mean customers will get any less ice since baristas are using the same ice scoop. New Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan sees room for improvement in the business, which includes installing new equipment. Starbucks said in a statement that the new ice machines use less water and will be rolling out to all its stores over the next several years.

☆ Starbucks adds $1 surcharge for some Refreshers orders
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

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☆ Starbucks to Charge Customers $1 for 'No Water' Refresher Requests
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Gloria Dawson | Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Starbucks told Insider it will charge customers $1 for Refresher drinks requested with no water. Starting May 9, Starbucks will charge $1 to customers who request no water in Refreshers, a company spokesperson told Insider. A Starbucks spokesperson said the customization requires more Refresher base, and the price increase accounts for the additional product. Three Starbucks employees told Insider they were nervous about facing backlash from customers over the new charge. In the past, when Starbucks discontinued syrups or changed how customers earned Starbucks Star rewards, some employees have said they faced angry customers.

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