Just an hour or so ago I purchased a $4.95 egg salad sandwich from Starbucks. It was not until after I left the store did I notice that, although this couple-inch-thick stack of wheat bread and egg had 460 calories as clearly labeled on the packaging, it also contained 27 grams of fat. I personally believe that this is incredibly unnecessary, even though it does take a lot of fattening factors to create the egg salad contents. Calories and fat grams are also derived from the wheat bread which is likely produced with fats such that it will last longer and have a greater shelf life. I cannot figure out why Starbucks must charge so much money for something that is not even healthy. It seems that their greatest goal with their pre-packaged foods is that they are wholesome and… Healthy? Why make it with wheat bread then? I think I’ll be stopping at half of this meal…

In other thoughts, I was thinking that Starbucks could really reignite peoples’ interest in the company and inspire them to come back if the corporation opened stores that had an in-unit bakery or deli. I know this sounds like a very difficult business task to undergo, but consider Starbucks’ position right now. They get fresh (?) pastries in daily from who-knows-where. Imagine now if there was a bakery or deli integration with the standard cafe/barista practice. I believe it could draw in many interested customers. They would be able to order their coffee and have a sandwich made fresh and on-the-spot, or perhaps even select from a variety of fresh-baked bagels or pastries.

One great difficulty would be the actual integration and cooperation between the two departments in a sense. For example, how would a customer be able to order their coffee and a bakery/deli item, and that order to be seamlessly and efficiently passed on to the employees who fulfill that request? We all know that Starbucks locations always have their big rush and back-up of in-line customers. How would you deal with the simultaneous orders being fulfilled between the two sides of the store?

Another approach would be to fully blend the bakery/deli with the coffee processes, however there being dedicated staff for both departments – similar to fast food which has the cashiers who take orders and will complete basic tasks like filling coffees, sodas, etc., and then cooks and other staff that will prepare foods and bring the order together. In end, Starbucks can really turn their company into a cafe conglomerate, incorporating great food and great coffee. From here, the organization must figure out how to maintain the bakery/deli in a way which keeps up to its coffee fame and standards.