Starbucks Barista

Starbucks Barista

Green Siren

Central, TX

Female, 26

After working all day in a cubicle, I'd spend my nights as your friendly, neighborhood Starbucks barista! I remembered your name, made each drink exactly to your specifications and did it all with a bright smile. I've served celebrities, worked both drive thru & cafe stores, worked every holiday and have kept the customers from knowing about all the craziness that goes on behind the scenes... until now. Ask me anything.

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Last Answer on June 12, 2016

Best Rated

Hi! I've been hired as a Starbucks Barista and I have this awful feeling that I am not being trained to corporate standards. Could you please explain how the program is supposed to work? Thanks!

Asked by Jo over 10 years ago

There is a training manual that explains everything, you could ask your shift manager or store manager (whomever you trust more) if you want to look at it. There is also a book of all the drinks and how to make them that you can study on your break times. Almost all stores should have copies of these.

I went through the training about 3 years ago and to be honest, I don't remember all the details. It's not like a 2 weeks intensive program, it's a day of "here's how you make cold drinks" and then you practice. Then a day of "here's how you work the register" and then you practice. Basically they will show you how corporate wants things done and after some oversight, its up to you to learn how to do it. At the end of the 2 weeks, you manager will watch you for about 15 minutes on bar and 15 minutes on register to see if you do things correctly, and if not, they will retrain you.

You can also call corporate if you feel you aren't being properly trained and talk to them. I think there's a partner complaint line that should be in your hiring documents.

For training, should I bring anything? A notepad and a pen maybe? Or would that be weird and unnecessary? Also, should I wear business casual to training? Or would I already have a uniform by that point?

Asked by Emily over 9 years ago

A small notepad and pen that would fit in your apron or a pocket would be fine. The guy who trained with me had one and it wasn't a problem.

And you should already have a uniform when you start training! Definitely not business casual because you will be behind the counter.

during barista training, how did they train you to use the POS/point of sale system at the cashier?

Asked by lou over 9 years ago

Yes, they will train you. Your training manager (probably shift manager) will teach you what the buttons are for and when to push them, like any POS system. Practice will make you faster.

I love Green Tea Frappucino but I always find it too sweet. I asked the barista for 2 pumps of the syrup and/or 2 scoops of the matcha only to lessen the sweetness. What's the right and best way to order it? Thanks!

Asked by Vincent almost 9 years ago

Order with "no classic" to make it without any simple syrup (sugar). The matcha will have no impact on sweetness.

How much do you make in tips per day/week at Starbucks?

Asked by NYC Dreamer over 10 years ago

Tips are calculated by week at Starbucks and at my store turned out to be approximately $20/week. As with any job, your mileage may vary depending on store location and clientele.


For comparison, my previous coffee shop was $20/day.

At starbucks, do workers have to create any drink? Ex: if I want a white peppermint mocha iced coffee, would they make it?

Asked by cb over 10 years ago

Yes, as long as it's within our power to make. For instance, the drink you used as an example would taste terrible! Iced coffee doesn't do well with the white mocha sauce. So I'd say you actually want an iced peppermint white mocha latte or iced peppermint white mocha americano, depending on whether or not you want milk in it.

So yes, we will make any drink you ask for. I've had some crazy ones. And if you're not exactly sure how to order it, ask your barista! They should give you tips or recommendations.

Does starbucks use tazo or teavana brewed teas for Shaken Iced Teas? Also, what are the specific flavors of Black and Green tea you use?

Asked by nb over 9 years ago

When I was there in 2012, we used Tazo. I am unsure of the specifics. I assume nothing has changed but you would have to ask Starbucks to confirm.