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Is there really a Starbucks on every corner?

Oct 15, 2012#1

jwhouk

Tyler Falk /SmartPlanet said:
Like McDonald’s, Starbucks seems to be everywhere you go in the United States.

But just how deeply has Starbucks engrained itself into the U.S.? Are they really on every corner like they seem to be? Now we have a better idea thanks to James Davenport, a PhD candidate from the University of Washington.

He created a Voronoi diagram to find the farthest point from a Starbucks (including only franchise locations, not stores located in a grocery store, for example) in the United States. The farthest you can be from a Starbucks in the U.S. is 140 miles, or about the distance from Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia. To put it another way, nobody in the U.S. is more than 140 miles from a Pumpkin Spice Latte:

And he created this graph that show just how close we all are to a Starbucks.

That’s right, almost everyone in the U.S. lives within 100 miles of a Starbucks. But even more fascinating is how the proximity to Starbucks relates to urban U.S. population. From Davenport:

There are ~311 million people living in the USA, with 82% living in urbanized areas. One might define urbanization in the modern era as the distance to the nearest Starbucks. An “urban” environment would therefore be anyplace within a 20 mile radius. Yes, more than 80% of the USA (that’s 250,000,000 people) live within 20 miles of a Starbucks.

There you have it, like it or not, Starbucks is urban America.

Yes, the map does not include Alaska, nor does it include Canada, eh?

No, I am not one of the 80%, as I live more than 20 miles from the nearest Starbucks.

Oct 15, 2012#2

Ravenpoe

jwhouk said:
Yes, the map does not include Alaska, nor does it include Canada, eh?

No, I am not one of the 80%, as I live more than 20 miles from the nearest Starbucks.

Why would a map detailing Americans' distance to statbucks include Canada?

Oct 15, 2012#3

jwhouk

I figured you hosers in the Great White North might feel left out, eh?

Anyways, the question left unanswered is apparently the "Venti-less Spot" is a point somewhere in the middle of Grand Teton National Park.

Oct 15, 2012#4

HCGLNS

Ravenpoe said:
Why would a map detailing Americans' distance to statbucks include Canada?

Because we have the largest border in the world and Americans are free to cross the border to get a pumkin spice latte at a Canadian Starbucks.

Oct 15, 2012#5

jwhouk

Actually, I'd rather cross the border to get some Timbits and a coffee. And unfortunately, I'm several hours from being able to do that.

Oct 15, 2012#6

sixpackshaker

I remember about ten years ago standing on a corner in Houston Texas and seeing 3 Starbucks... I knew life as I knew it was over.

Oct 15, 2012#7

Ravenpoe

Oct 15, 2012#8

klew

I have noticed that wherever you find a Jamba Juice, there is always a Starbucks in the vicinity (less than a few blocks of distance).

Oct 15, 2012#9

Yoshimickster

Not in my town! We run them the fuck out! CASCIANOS BITCH!

Oct 15, 2012#10

WasabiPoptart

Yoshimickster - Did the Starbucks in Hammonton close?

Oct 15, 2012#11

Yoshimickster

WasabiPoptart said:
Yoshimickster - Did the Starbucks in Hammonton close?

YUP! I think its a T-mobile station now. That place is just a bad location, I remember it was a Taco Bell when I was a kid, then a dry-cleaner, then a Star-bucks, than a Checkers, and now T-mobile. No business in that location lasts more than a few years.

Oct 15, 2012#12

Jay

I don't mind Starbucks coffee... I do mind that 5-6$ + for one. When you compare it to Tims large coffees for a mere 2$, buying a coffee every day adds up.

20 work days

$2 x 20 = 40
$6 x 20 = 120

That's 2 Steam games there.... a month!

Oct 15, 2012#13

Yoshimickster

Jay said:
I don't mind Starbucks coffee... I do mind that 5-6$ + for one. When you compare it to Tims large coffees for a mere 2$, buying a coffee every day adds up.

20 work days

$2 x 20 = 40
$6 x 20 = 120

That's 2 Steam games there.... a month!

I mind it, but only because I am an anarchist who secretly wishes every single corporate restaurant chain to explode! This however conflicts with my pacifism and I don't want to hurt anyone. I...am complicated.

Oct 15, 2012#14

Ravenpoe

Yoshimickster said:
I mind it, but only because I am an anarchist who secretly wishes every single corporate restaurant chain to explode! This however conflicts with my pacifism and I don't want to hurt anyone. I...am complicated.

What did corporate restaurant chains ever do to you?

Oct 15, 2012#15

Yoshimickster

Ravenpoe said:
What did corporate restaurant chains ever do to you?

Oh its not just me good Poe...it is the world whom they have corrupted that I have a vendetta to them for. And my mission in life is to destroy all corruption. Though it may take a while, these things take time and what-not.

Oct 15, 2012#16

Ravenpoe

Yoshimickster said:
Oh its not just me good Poe...it is the world whom they have corrupted that I have a vendetta to them for. And my mission in life is to destroy all corruption. Though it may take a while, these things take time and what-not.

Hatin' corps is cool. Got it.

Oct 16, 2012#17

phil

Jay said:
I don't mind Starbucks coffee... I do mind that 5-6$ + for one. When you compare it to Tims large coffees for a mere 2$, buying a coffee every day adds up.

20 work days

$2 x 20 = 40
$6 x 20 = 120

That's 2 Steam games there.... a month!

Is that for drip coffee, or are you talking more like lattes? Medium drip at my store is 2.11 (including tax) and medium latte (unflavored) is 2.98.

Not trying to start a steak thread, just wondering. I really would like to try TH sometime.

Oct 16, 2012#18

Terrik

Seems to be a starbucks on every corner in Shanghai.

Oct 16, 2012#19

Frank

Jay said:
I don't mind Starbucks coffee... I do mind that 5-6$ + for one. When you compare it to Tims large coffees for a mere 2$, buying a coffee every day adds up.

20 work days

$2 x 20 = 40
$6 x 20 = 120

That's 2 Steam games there.... a month!

A large coffee at Starbucks and a large coffee at Tims is almost the same price. A vente hyperfrappachino with triple shots, 3 types of whipped cream and a whole pile of mocha syrup is more expensive.
Also, has more calories.

There's a shopping center in my little suburb that has a Safeway with a Starbucks, there's a full Starbucks across the parking lot from it and a Chapters that also shares the parking lot that also has a Starbucks in it. 2 Blocks up the road from these 3 Starbucks is another full Starbucks. Go 5 minutes in the opposite direction, you will find another full Starbucks across the highway sits another Safeway, also with a Starbucks.

Both of these full sized Starbucks were built right next to Second Cups, the Canadian version of Starbucks.

I prefer Second Cup. They have my favorite drink, a sparkling green tea lemonade.

Oct 16, 2012#20

checkeredhat

As giant faceless evil corporations go, Starbucks is among the less evil. Fair trade beans, employees paid above minimum wage, employees get profit sharing, dental, and medical....

They're regular coffee isn't even that much more than Tim Hortons, but yeah as soon as you want one of their lattes or anything of that variety, it adds up. I haven't had my pumpkin spice latte yet this year; they're about $6.[DOUBLEPOST=1350390517][/DOUBLEPOST]

Frank said:
There's a shopping center in my little suburb that has a Safeway with a Starbucks,

These locations are franchise owned, and employees aren't paid Starbucks wages or given Starbucks benefits, or for that matter, Starbucks training. They have no idea what they're doing.

My sister and my brother both work for Starbucks, they give me the rundown on this stuff.

Oct 16, 2012#21

jwhouk

I personally believe Starbucks should consider putting some more stores in north central Wisconsin. After the Wausau North store, there ain't another Starbucks on US 51 to its northern terminus.

Oct 16, 2012#22

BananaHands

Pumpkin spice lattes. :aaah:

Oct 16, 2012#23

Frank

checkeredhat said:
These locations are franchise owned, and employees aren't paid Starbucks wages or given Starbucks benefits, or for that matter, Starbucks training. They have no idea what they're doing.

My sister and my brother both work for Starbucks, they give me the rundown on this stuff.

I just think it's funny that there are 3 Starbucks within a minute or two of each other. That's shitty though, kind of a bunk thing to do.

Oct 16, 2012#24

Yoshimickster

There was also a time when Starbucks placed "dummy indie coffee houses." Turns out- thats against the law.

Oct 16, 2012#25

Espy

Frank said:
A large coffee at Starbucks and a large coffee at Tims is almost the same price. A vente hyperfrappachino with triple shots, 3 types of whipped cream and a whole pile of mocha syrup is more expensive.
Also, has more calories.

Also if a drink is 90% sugar calling it "coffee" is a stretch. It's like people ordering salads with fried chicken and saying they like to "eat healthy".

Oct 16, 2012#26

Yoshimickster

Frank said:
I just think it's funny that there are 3 Starbucks within a minute or two of each other. That's shitty though, kind of a bunk thing to do.

Ran a whole lot of businesses out of town that way. They is evil.

Oct 17, 2012#27

linglingface

In Seattle there's a Starbucks on almost every corner. And if not a Starbucks, then some other coffee shop!

I work at a mall about half an hour from Seattle, and there are 3 Starbucks in the mall. It's not even a giant mall! I'd say it's a pretty standard size... there's one just outside the food court (with a Jamba Juice next to it!) and then one on the opposite end of the mall. Then there's one smack dab in the middle of the mall right in front of Macy's.
Then there's the Nordstrom's eBar down another wing of the mall. And a Tully's coffee stand down another wing. We also used to have a Seattle's Best too (my personal fav) when we had a Border's there, but then Border's went out of business. D:

Anyway, Starbucks is fine, but their coffee is kind of bitter, so sometimes they add too much to it to make it sweet. I love Seattle's Best because their coffee is a little sweeter (same company, but they keep them pretty separate... funny they're both SBC). I have a very hard time buying their food, mostly. They're little cupcakes and cake pops are ridiculously over priced...

Oct 17, 2012#28

checkeredhat

heatherling said:
Then there's the Nordstrom's eBar down another wing of the mall. And a Tully's coffee stand down another wing. We also used to have a Seattle's Best too (my personal fav) when we had a Border's there, but then Border's went out of business. D:

(Starbucks in disguise)

Seattle's Best Coffee, a wholly owned subsidiary of Starbucks, is a specialty coffee retailer and wholesaler based in Seattle, Washington.

The Borders bookstore chain signed a contract with Seattle's Best Coffee in 2004 to convert Borders' in-store cafes to Seattle's Best cafes. By 2006, approximately two-thirds of Borders' domestic superstores had completed the Seattle's Best conversion. Seattle's Best parent company Starbucks Corporation has contracted with Borders' competitor Barnes & Noble to sell its products in Barnes & Noble's Cafes. (Borders has since completely shut down due to bankruptcy.) Starbucks also owns and operates locations within Chapters and Indigo Books and Music bookstores in Canada.

[DOUBLEPOST=1350477261][/DOUBLEPOST]

Frank said:
I just think it's funny that there are 3 Starbucks within a minute or two of each other. That's shitty though, kind of a bunk thing to do.

Yeah, my sister is always suggesting I apply at Starbucks because of how well they treat their employees and how well they pay, but she warned me recently that in the mall she works at, the Zellers is being converted into a Target, and it will have a Starbucks in it. But the Starbucks inside Target is not owned by Starbucks, it's owned by Target.

Target does the training.actual Starbucks employees actually have to take a 2 week course before receiving in-store training ("Coffee College" I've heard it referred as)and are required to sample two different blends every shift so that they can become familiar with the different blends and their flavours/ aromas to describe to customers. Starbucks franchise employees aren't required to do either of those things. I think the manager is required to go Starbucks training, but nobody under the manager is, if I recall correctly.

Target pays the salaries. Starbucks pays considerably above minimum wage (At least here in Canada), and offers employees profit sharing, discounts at all Starbucks locations, free coffee on their shifts, a bag of free coffee once a week, and dental and medical plans. Franchise employees like at Target, will be paid Target salaries (minimum wage) and offered whatever benefits Target employees get (Going out on a limb here, but probably like 10% off at that particular Target location). They will not receive their Starbucks discount at other locations, and Starbucks employees won't receive their discount at that location.

Target sets the prices. It could be cheaper (Which would be fair, since the employees aren't as well trained), or it could be more.

Oct 17, 2012#29

Espy

A long time ago Starbucks did a study, and they found that people would, in general go to whatever coffee shop was closest, even if it wasn't the one they preferred. Thats why they cluster their stores in many places (or at least they used to, they have closed many in the last few years) so that you literally do not have to cross the street to get to one.

Oct 17, 2012#30

Frank

Jesus, if Starbucks ends up in the Target that's opening here, that would put it across the street from the Safeway, Chapters and parking lot Starbucks.

Oct 17, 2012#31

Gared

heatherling said:
In Seattle there's a Starbucks on almost every corner. And if not a Starbucks, then some other coffee shop! I work at a mall about half an hour from Seattle, and there are 3 Starbucks in the mall. It's not even a giant mall! I'd say it's a pretty standard size... there's one just outside the food court (with a Jamba Juice next to it!) and then one on the opposite end of the mall. Then there's one smack dab in the middle of the mall right in front of Macy's.
Then there's the Nordstrom's eBar down another wing of the mall. And a Tully's coffee stand down another wing. We also used to have a Seattle's Best too (my personal fav) when we had a Border's there, but then Border's went out of business. D:

Anyway, Starbucks is fine, but their coffee is kind of bitter, so sometimes they add too much to it to make it sweet. I love Seattle's Best because their coffee is a little sweeter (same company, but they keep them pretty separate... funny they're both SBC). I have a very hard time buying their food, mostly. They're little cupcakes and cake pops are ridiculously over priced...

Southcenter?

Also checkeredhat , SBC wasn't always a wholly owned subsidiary of Starbucks, they used to be their own business with their own product, and they were awesome. But, like so very many other brands, Starbucks swallowed them up, back in 2003. I remember getting coffee at the SBC stand out in front of SAM when I worked for WAMU, it was heavenly, and not quite as expensive as Starbucks. Happily, even after they got bought out and that location was shut down, I discovered a much better coffee place just down the block, that has even better coffee and really good pastries - Cafe Ladro.

Oct 17, 2012#32

ThatNickGuy

I don't think Starbucks is quite as big in Canada as it is in the U.S. It certainly has its foothold, but compared to Tim Hortons, it's nothing. It's been said that you can find the nearest Tims just by rolling a coffee cup down the street.

Oct 17, 2012#33

Covar

I was going to comment on the $5 for a cup of coffee thing, but it seems like we have successfully debunked it as an apples to oranges comparrison. Well done Halforums.

In related news, Pumpkin Spiced Latte is the best.

Oct 17, 2012#34

Frank

ThatNickGuy said:
I don't think Starbucks is quite as big in Canada as it is in the U.S. It certainly has its foothold, but compared to Tim Hortons, it's nothing. It's been said that you can find the nearest Tims just by rolling a coffee cup down the street.

It depends, in St. Albert, where I live, there are 3 Tim Hortons (one of which is a Tim Hortons/Wendy's combo), in comparison, there are 3 full sized Starbucks and the countless instore Starbucks kiosks.

Oct 17, 2012#35

Gared

Covar said:
I was going to comment on the $5 for a cup of coffee thing, but it seems like we have successfully debunked it as an apples to oranges comparrison. Well done Halforums.

In related news, Pumpkin Spiced Latte is the best.

mmm.... Pumpkin Spiced Latte... I need to go get me one of those. Or, you know, 20.

Oct 17, 2012#36

grub

In Abbotsford there are this many Tim Hortons:

And almost as many Starbucks at almost the same locations, usually separated by a parking lot or street.[DOUBLEPOST=1350501672][/DOUBLEPOST]p.s. and there is one missing from google maps just east of (D)

Oct 17, 2012#37

klew

Gared said:
mmm.... Pumpkin Spiced Latte... I need to go get me one of those. Or, you know, 20.

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/1226013/

Oct 17, 2012#38

checkeredhat

ThatNickGuy said:
I don't think Starbucks is quite as big in Canada as it is in the U.S. It certainly has its foothold, but compared to Tim Hortons, it's nothing. It's been said that you can find the nearest Tims just by rolling a coffee cup down the street.

I remember reading that the reason Tim Hortons is making such a push into the States (And I'm pretty sure they are even opening locations in the UK now) is because they cannot realistically expand in Canada. They control such a large percentage of the market already there's not much room to continue expanding before they stop turning a profit. Though McDonalds is apparently really catching up.

Oct 17, 2012#39

linglingface

checkeredhat said:
(Starbucks in disguise)

Yes, I did mention Seattle's Best is owned by Starbucks and that Borders went out of business.
Their coffee tastes different, so I prefer Seattle's Best.

Gared said:
Southcenter?

Nope, that's south of Seattle and I'm up north.

I just did a search and there's 10 Starbuck's within 2.5 miles of where I live. :confused:

Oct 18, 2012#40

Gusto

checkeredhat said:
I remember reading that the reason Tim Hortons is making such a push into the States (And I'm pretty sure they are even opening locations in the UK now) is because they cannot realistically expand in Canada. They control such a large percentage of the market already there's not much room to continue expanding before they stop turning a profit. Though McDonalds is apparently really catching up.

I was actually really surprised by how much I liked McDonalds' coffee.

Oct 18, 2012#41

Yoshimickster

I haven't been to a Starbucks in...well I've never been to one as I despise corporate food chains to a tee, but what is the whole writers writing there forever true? Why would you waste time writing in a public place rather than doing it at home? Are they waiting for a bus and just killing time by writing? If someone writes in a restaurant for 2 hours and isn't waiting for a bus they are weird to me. Course that's just me.

Oct 18, 2012#42

Frank

A friend of mine loves to draw in Starbucks because people will flock attention all over him. He claims this is not the reason he does it. He is entirely full of shit.

Oct 18, 2012#43

Yoshimickster

Frank said:
A friend of mine loves to draw in Starbucks because people will flock attention all over him. He claims this is not the reason he does it. He is entirely full of shit.

PFFT- really? I admit to having an ego myself but that's just freaking hilarious!

Oct 18, 2012#44

WasabiPoptart

Yoshimickster said:
Why would you waste time writing in a public place rather than doing it at home? Are they waiting for a bus and just killing time by writing?

I will very often see people studying or doing homework in the Starbucks closest to me. I don't get it. I understand they have free wi-fi and if you want food or drink it's right there, but I know I wouldn't be able to concentrate if I tried it. There are too many people and it's too loud.

Oct 18, 2012#45

Yoshimickster

WasabiPoptart said:
I will very often see people studying or doing homework in the Starbucks closest to me. I don't get it. I understand they have free wi-fi and if you want food or drink it's right there, but I know I wouldn't be able to concentrate if I tried it. There are too many people and it's too loud.

Me too, I cannot focus on anything when there are people around. I'm also way too social and end up talking to people and forget about whatever I'd need to be doing.

Oct 18, 2012#46

sixpackshaker

I used to go to a 24 diner to study all the time, $0.50 coffee sipped on for 4-6 hours... making the waitress with Summer Teeth smile...

good times.

Oct 18, 2012#47

Chad Sexington

I like reading or studying in a cafe. It's nice. It gets me out of the house, reminds me there are people in the world... When you can't be social , it's sometimes nice just to have some human volume around. Plus, coffee. I enjoy it from time to time. In the summer I usually get through a few novels whiling away whole afternoons in my favourite cafe here. There are definitely times I need peace and quiet (especially when I'm writing) and I'll stay home or take advantage of a library but a change of scenery and little activity around can be nice.

Oct 18, 2012#48

checkeredhat

cafe sketching is actually a wildly useful exercise that I don't do enough of because I'm always afraid people will notice and then they'll want to see my horrible drawings of them.

Oct 18, 2012#49

Cajungal

I like going to a cafe... if not to work, then to just fart around. It's nice to be around people, and I get escape with headphones. Mingus' Ah, Um or John Ellis' Dance Like There's No Tomorrow are two good albums for making you forget you're in a public place (but not enough to do anything embarrassing). I miss sitting there, nursing a huuuuge iced coffee for 2-3 hours, and getting a little of this and a little of that done. It's one of the only things I miss about college.

Oct 18, 2012#50

MindDetective

checkeredhat said:
cafe sketching is actually a wildly useful exercise that I don't do enough of because I'm always afraid people will notice and then they'll want to see my horrible drawings of them.

DOES NOT COMPUTE.

Oct 19, 2012#51

Gusto

checkeredhat said:
cafe sketching is actually a wildly useful exercise that I don't do enough of because I'm always afraid people will notice and then they'll want to see my horrible drawings of them.

I know this all too well.

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