Consumerist

Starbucks To Buy Fancy Coffee Machine Maker, Add Reward Program

Things are still changing at Starbucks. First off, they're going to buy the maker of "Clover" the crazy $11,000 coffee machine that makes one cup at a time.

Starbucks, the world's largest chain of coffee shops, also said today it would acquire Coffee Equipment Co., the maker of the $11,000 Clover machines that brew one cup of coffee at a time. Financial terms weren't disclosed.

``You have an economy that really is in a tailspin, and many would say the consumer is in a recession,'' Schultz told more than 6,000 shareholders at the company's annual meeting in Seattle. ``We are dealing with things that we haven't seen before in terms of how people are responding to how tough it is.''

Secondly, they've announced a rewards program:
Customers will be able to get free syrup or milk alternatives for their drinks, or free refills on brewed coffee, if they use their Starbucks card.

``Register your card and we will customize your beverage basically for free,'' Schultz said.

Does the idea of a rewards program appeal to you? Or no?

Starbucks Chief Doesn't See U.S. Economy Improving (Update2) [Bloomberg]
(Photo:Ben Popken)

5:12 PM on Wed Mar 19 2008
By Meg Marco
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