Insider Finance - Business - Starbucks lids keep falling off

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January 20, 2023

Hello, Insiders. The World Economic Forum is coming to a close. The consensus among the world’s elite? Brace for a recession. Some execs even see silver linings in all of this. (Tell that to the 12,000 Googlers being let go.)

Matt Turner, business editor in chief, will be sharing his key takeaways from Davos in his Sunday newsletter, Insider Weekly — sign up here to get it in your inbox.

As for me? I’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow with the weekend edition of this newsletter. It’s where we focus on the fun and fascinating stories you want on your day off. So with that, let’s get to today’s news.

— Nicholas Carlson

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The latest

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai took "full responsibility" for Google cuts — read his email. Here are the units that could be affected.
The US is scrambling to find key hardware Ukraine needs to hold off Russia — and it’s hunting all over the globe. Here’s the full story.
Reed Hastings is stepping down as co-CEO at Netflix. Insiders describe his successor Greg Peters as “hyper rational.” More here.

The big story

Reuters

Starbucks cup lids are falling off — it's not your imagination. Workers say it's a problem.

Something is apparently not right with the lids Starbucks uses for its drinks. Insider spoke to five employees in five states — and they said the lids they’re supplied with fit inconsistently.

That frequently leads to spilled drinks, slower drink preparation, and worse customer experiences. And it seems no type of lid is safe from the scourge: Workers told us they have had issues with lids for both cold and hot drinks.

“There have been times I've tried to put a lid on a Frappuccino and just had the whole cup collapse and spill the drink all over my hands and the counter, while the customer who had ordered the drink was watching,” a manager in Virginia told Insider.

Some Starbucks baristas told us they have become unofficial lid testers, and even started doubling up on cups to reinforce stability.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Top reads

Petty Officer 2nd Class Tara Molle/U.S. Coast Guard photo via AP

Authorities search for a man dragged out of a boat by a “huge” fish. 63-year-old Mark Knittle was pulled underwater off the coast of Big Island, Hawaii after possibly getting tangled in the line. The Coast Guard is now expanding the 515-mile search to “bring him home.” Read more.
A high school in Massachusetts hasn’t been able to turn off the lights for more than a year and a half. It’s apparently costing residents of the town of Wilbraham thousands of dollars. Inside the bizarre comedy of errors.
Twitter auctioned off a $16,000 piece of kitchen equipment known as the "Lamborghini of meat slicers." The big blue bird is unloading a bunch of items from its San Francisco office, including some luxury equipment used in top restaurants. Some of the other items from Twitter’s auction.
Microsoft’s in-development AI can clone your voice from a 3-second audio clip. The tech giant already invested $10 billion in ChatGPT, but its own AI called “VALL-E” will be able to create “high-quality personalized” speeches. Here’s what it can do.
A woman’s refusal to swap plane seats went viral. A TikToker went viral after helping a stranger refuse to switch seats on a plane. The story reignited a debate on “plane etiquette” that keeps blowing up on the app. Watch the video here.
What it’s like to live on a cruise ship full time. Angela Nuran and Paul Cosentino sold everything they own to buy a $2.5 million cabin on a luxury residential cruise ship that will sail the world. Here’s what they’re excited about and how they’re preparing for life at sea.
"10 things I'd never have in my own home." An interior designer shared the trends and decor you’d never find in their home, from popcorn ceilings to black bedding. See the full list here.

Take a look

Taylor Rains/Insid

“I flew on the world's longest flight in business class.” Our reporter says the 18-hour trip from Singapore to New York was nearly flawless — see what it was like.

Watch this

An ancient-warfare historian rates 10 battle scenes in movies and TV, including "The Northman" and "House of the Dragon." Watch now.

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This edition was curated by Nicholas Carlson, and edited by Hallam Bullock, Lisa Ryan, Dave Smith, and Nathan Rennolds. Get in touch: insidertoday@insider.com.

Insider Finance - Business - Starbucks lids keep falling off

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