Starbucks to push on-the-go coffee in UK

Starbucks Coffee UK announced on 30 November its intent to create up to 5000 new jobs by stepping up its drive thru program.  The move will see 200 new drive-thru stores open over the next five years, which would create the new positions combined with openings of conventional stores over the same period. The move follows three years of development and customer response to the convenience of Starbucks coffee on-the-go, the company reported in a press release.   Starbucks currently has nine drive-thrus in the UK since the first location opened in Cardiff in 2008. Around half of the drive-thrus will be operated under license by petrol forecourt retailer Euro Garages, with many of these stores in the Midlands and north of England. With more than 700 stores in the UK, Starbucks noted that it has recorded consistent sales growth during the last two years following a series of innovations ranging from switching to 100 per cent Fairtrade espresso, launching new store designs, introducing stronger Flat White coffee, offering new food, free Wi-Fi, and sharing success with partners (employees) through free stock shares, known as Beanstock. “Customers told us that they now expect the best possible coffee wherever they are and the success of our first drive-thru stores shows that this is a huge opportunity,” says Kris Engskov, Managing Director of Starbucks UK and Ireland. “It also means that we are able to create quality jobs at a time when they are most needed and because half of our baristas are under 24 years-old, this will particularly benefit young job-seekers at a time of record youth unemployment.”