Eh, What's Up Doc? Starbucks Gets a Jolt of 'Back to Basics' Buzz!

A Cartwheel Kinda Guy Eh?

Well ain't this a kettle of carrots! Word on the street – or should I say the burrow – is that Howard Schultz the big cheese at Starbucks back in the day did a *literal* cartwheel when he heard about Brian Niccol's 'back to Starbucks' plan. A cartwheel doc? That's some serious acrobatics for a fella! Guess he figured 'Of course you realize this means war!' on the slumping sales situation. I always say a good turnaround is like a well pulled rabbit out of a hat – surprising and satisfying!

From Small Chain to Global Gain!

This Niccol fella see he's trying to pull Starbucks outta the muck and Schultz is giving him the ol' thumbs up. Schultz is like the grandpa of Starbucks watchin' over the place makin' sure they don't go sellin' carrot juice instead of coffee ya know? He was at some fancy pants 'Leadership Experience' thingamajigger in Las Vegas cheerin' on Niccol's plan. Imagine that! Vegas baby! Just try and picture me Bugs Bunny ordering a carrot smoothie in Vegas. Now that's a show!

Out With the Old In With the New (Boss)

Now here's where it gets a bit like a Speedy Gonzales chase. Apparently there was this other fella Laxman Narasimhan who Schultz picked but the board gave him the ol' heave ho. Then Niccol came along like a Tasmanian Devil ready to stir things up. And wouldn’t you know it Starbucks shares are jumpin' higher than me escaping Yosemite Sam! They're tradin' around $95.30 close to their peak after Niccol got the gig. What's up with that doc? Talk about a plot twist!

He's Baaaack! (…But Not Really)

Schultz in his infinite wisdom came back once before to get things straightened out but he's not planning on a repeat performance. Says he has no plans to come back again like me saying I won't try to trick Yosemite Sam again. Ha! As if! But get this he's got a golden ticket to all the board meetings unless they tell him to scram. Imagine me crashing Elmer Fudd's hunting club. That's comedy I tell ya!

Back to the Roots Eh?

Niccol's grand plan is to get "back to Starbucks," like gettin' back to carrots after a long day of bamboozling. Think comfy seats personalized cups and the smell of good ol' coffee. They're ditching the discounts and focusing on the coffee itself. 'Cause after all ain't I a stinker for good taste? Schultz gave Niccol a pat on the back sayin' he's the leader they need. It's all very touchy feely if you ask me. I'm more of a 'kiss me quick then I disappear' kinda guy.

Culture is King (or Maybe a Wabbit?)

Now hold on to your hats folks 'cause Schultz isn't afraid to speak his mind. He publicly said that Starbucks' culture was being misunderstood and undervalued. The food and drinks were mediocre and the mobile ordering was a mess. 'The culture was not understood. The culture wasn't valued. The culture wasn't being upheld,' he said. That’s like tellin’ me there ain’t no more carrots! So seems like Niccol's got his work cut out for him. But hey as I always say 'This looks like a job for…Bugs Bunny!'…Err I mean Brian Niccol.