When Conor Ireland picked up his cold brew at a Starbucks in London, Ontario, last month, he discovered a drawing of a sausage-shaped creature saying “neigh.”
“Why is there a salamander neighing at me,” the 32-year-old truck driver posted on Reddit, where his query drew thousands of responses. “I fear my baristas have reached mandatory cup-message psychosis.”
Starbucks baristas are indulging their inner artists, drawing smiley faces, dogs and other doodles on cups and scribbling “Have a great day!” They aren’t just in a good mood. They’re following direct orders.
Conor Ireland wondered if his Starbucks baristas had ’reached mandatory cup-message psychosis’ after his cold brew cup included a sausage-shaped horse drawing. PHOTO: CONOR IRELAND
The Seattle-based coffee chain this year instructed its cafe workers to write messages on every to-go cup possible across its 11,000 U.S. and Canadian locations, as new CEO Brian Niccol hopes to recapture the cozy coffeehouse vibe that built Starbucks into a global brand.
The doodles have drawn delight, confusion and shrugs as baristas play Picasso. They’ve also prompted the company to take steps to rein in some of the artistry and rebuff baristas who take shortcuts.
“Every time I go back, they are trying to up the ante,” Ireland said. His local baristas have continued to add neighing horses to his drinks orders, including one cup featuring a dozen of the animals.
For regulars like Hayley McLean, whose Venti Strawberry Açaí Refreshers have come with depictions of her dog on the cup, the doodles are next level.
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