As it expands, Starbucks faces another big risk: that of becoming a far less special place for its employees. For a company modeled around enthusiastic service, that could have dire
consequences for both image and sales. During its growth spurt
of the mid- to late-1990s, Starbucks had the lowest employee
turnover rate of any restaurant or fast-food company, largely
thanks to its then unheard-of policy of giving health insurance
and modest stock options to part-timers making barely more
than minimum wage.