'Howard's future plans are up to him': Starbucks TELLS employees what to say to calm down 'aggressive' customers if they are asked about CEO Howard Schultz running for President in 2020
- The coffee chain shared its instructions in newsletter 'Barista Need-To-Know'
- Store managers were told to advise staff how to deal with 'political opinions'
- Advice was for staff to tell customers former CEO's plans were 'up to him'
- Howard Schultz announced plans to run for President against Trump in 2020
Starbucks has given its employees instructions for what to say if they are asked about former CEO Howard Schultz potentially running for President.
In its 'Barista Need-To-Know' weekly newsletter last week, the coffee chain offered advice to its staff about how to 'diffuse the situation' if anyone 'shares aggressive political opinions'.
It also shared instructions for what employees should say if someone asks about Shultz's 'political intentions'.
'Employees may be asked questions by customers or hear media speculation about Howard's potential political intentions.
Starbucks managers were contacted in a weekly email newsletter to advise them on how their staff should deal with 'aggressive political opinions'
Howard Schultz, the former Starbucks CEO, is openly contemplating an independent bid for the Presidency
'We encourage you all to take a moment to review the talking points below with your employees.'
The email goes on to say that if they are confronted by a customer who is 'investigating, or sharing aggressive political oppions', staff should attempt to diffuse the situation.
To do this, Starbucks suggest saying: 'We respect everyone's opinion. Our goal is simply to create a warm and welcoming space where we can all gather, as a community, over great coffee.'
And when asked about Schultz, they were asked to say simply: 'Howard's future plans are up to him.
However, an employee told HuffPost: 'We were told not to talk to customers about it.
The 65-year-old billionaire (pictured) led Starbucks for 24 years and has been vocal in his opposition to Trump
'If we are asked about his political goals or our opinions on, we're to say he was a great CEO to work for but that's where our opinions end.'
Schultz revealed Sunday on '60 Minutes' that he's strongly considering a presidential run as an Independent and blames Democrats and Republicans alike for failing to address the nation's crippling debt.
The 65-year-old billionaire who led Starbucks for 24 years says that the nation's 'greatest threat domestically' is its mounting debt in a summer interview.
Trump seized on Schultz's acknowledgement on '60 Minutes' last week that he's 'not the smartest person in the room' and has succeeded by surrounding himself with talented advisers.
'Howard Schultz doesn't have the 'guts' to run for President! Watched him on @60Minutes last night and I agree with him that he is not the 'smartest person.' Besides, America already has that!' Trump bragged. 'I only hope that Starbucks is still paying me their rent in Trump Tower!'
Trump tweeted after his appearance on '60 Minutes': 'Howard Schultz doesn't have the 'guts' to run for President!
