Starbucks Coffee Cups Urge Lawmakers on Fiscal Cliff

In the final days before a major deadline that could send the US economy back into recession, one of the country’s largest coffee chains took an unusual step. On December 27, 2012, Starbucks announced it would use its coffee cups to send a message to the US Congress and the White House: find a solution to the so-called fiscal cliff. With automatic tax increases and sweeping spending cuts set to begin on January 1, 2013, the company wanted to push leaders toward compromise.

Starbucks told employees at 120 Washington, DC-area stores to write 'Come Together' on customer cups on Thursday and Friday, December 27 and 28, 2012. This simple message was meant to rally public sentiment and encourage divided lawmakers to reach a deal before the critical deadline.

What Was the Fiscal Cliff?

The fiscal cliff referred to a set of automatic tax increases and across-the-board spending cuts that were scheduled to take effect in the US on January 1, 2013. If no agreement was reached, these measures risked pushing the US economy back into recession. Negotiations between President Barack Obama and Congressional leaders had stalled before the Christmas holiday, but talks were set to resume afterward.

Starbucks’ ‘Come Together’ Campaign

CEO Howard Schultz spearheaded the initiative. He expressed disappointment with the lack of progress and called on other business, political, and financial leaders to join the 'Fix the Debt' campaign for comprehensive fiscal reform. Schultz urged lawmakers to set aside partisanship for the good of the nation.

As part of the campaign, Starbucks asked baristas in 120 stores in the Washington, DC area to write 'Come Together' on cups for all customers on December 27 and 28. This was a symbolic act meant to encourage dialogue and unity among political leaders.

Media and Public Outreach

Beyond the coffee cups, Starbucks said it would use both new and traditional media channels to broaden the campaign’s reach. This included Twitter, Facebook, local news sites like AOL, and print advertisements in major newspapers such as The Washington Post and The New York Times. The company stated that if no progress was made in negotiations, it would expand the effort further.

Why Starbucks Took Action

Howard Schultz explained the move by saying, 'We’re watching, we’re disappointed, and we believe we deserve a better future.' He emphasized the need for leaders to work together to avoid economic harm and restore confidence. Starbucks positioned itself not just as a business, but as a voice for the public interest during a critical national moment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fiscal cliff?

The fiscal cliff was a combination of automatic tax increases and spending cuts in the United States that were scheduled to begin on January 1, 2013. Economists warned that if no deal was made to stop them, the measures could trigger another recession.

What did Starbucks ask its employees to do?

Starbucks instructed baristas at 120 stores in the Washington, DC area to write the words 'Come Together' on customers’ coffee cups on December 27 and 28, 2012, as a message to lawmakers.

Who was Howard Schultz?

Howard Schultz was the CEO of Starbucks at the time. He led the 'Come Together' campaign and urged lawmakers to avoid the fiscal cliff while promoting the 'Fix the Debt' movement for long-term fiscal reform.

When was the deadline for the fiscal cliff deal?

The key deadline was January 1, 2013. If no agreement was reached by then, automatic tax hikes and spending cuts would take effect, potentially harming the US economy.

Did Starbucks use any other methods besides coffee cups?

Yes, Starbucks also planned to use social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook, advertise in major newspapers such as The Washington Post and The New York Times, and promote the campaign through AOL’s local news outlets.

What would Starbucks do if there was no progress in talks?

The company stated that if negotiations showed no progress, it would 'make the campaign bigger,' indicating expanded efforts through additional media or actions.

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