Howard Schultz Transformation Agenda Communication #3, I love you.

By the end of fiscal year 2008, discontinue warmed breakfast sandwiches at our North American stores

…We made this decision because, in short, the scent of the warmed sandwiches interferes with the coffee aroma in our stores.

If by “scent of the warmed sandwiches” you mean BURNING PAPER, then yes it interferes. I was one of the complainers, but I thought it was a just broken toaster at the Waverly & 6th location. Turns out it wasn’t that. The sandwiches were blamed for stinky Q1 FY08 results and SBUX is dumping them in an attempt to return to their roots. The oven company, TurboChef Technologies, fell 15% after the news came out. :(

The only sandwich I dared to stomach was in a desperate moment while stuck out on Long Island. It was the unfortunately-named “Reduced-Fat Turkey Bacon, Cholesterol-Free Egg, Reduced-Fat White Cheddar Oven Roasted Breakfast Sandwich” and about as yummy as it is fun to order. (Nevermind it’s still higher in fat and calories than the unqualified “Spinach, Roasted Tomato, Feta & Egg Wrap”.)

Relief is coming soon. When Christmas Blend is ushered in, the sandwiches will be kicked OUT!