Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz’s gran support for gay marriage - The Washgton Post

Contents:

• STARBUCKS CEO HOLDS HIS GROUND ON GAY MARRIAGE
• HOWARD SCHULTZ TO ANTI-GAY-MARRIAGE STARBUCKS SHAREHOLR: 'YOU CAN SELL YOUR SHAR'
• HOWARD {LOR:#595959;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:600;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:0.875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.2;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:1.25REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.2;}} A{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN-THICKNS:0.0625REM;TEXT-RATN-LOR:HER;TEXT-UNRLE-OFFSET:0.25REM;LOR:HER;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;} A:HOVER{LOR:#A00000;TEXT-RATN-LOR:BORR-LK-BODY-HOVER;}HOWARD SCHULTZ IS THE FORMER CEO AND CHAIRMAN OF STARBUCKS, THE HIGHLY SUCCSFUL FFEE {LOR:#323232;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;} SPAN{FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;}{FONT-STYLE:NORMAL;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;LOR:#323232;FONT-FAY:RALAS,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.3;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;TEXT-TRANSFORM:PALIZE;}{DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;MARG-LEFT:0.625REM;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;}UPDATED: SEP 23, {DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;}{MARG-BOTTOM:0.9375REM;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 64REM){{MAX-WIDTH:LC(100VW - (1REM * 2));MARG-LEFT:1REM;MARG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(-1 * 1REM);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{MARG-LEFT:TO;MARG-RIGHT:TO;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - (LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 2 * 1REM)) / -2);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 61.25REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 90REM){{MAX-WIDTH:LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM);MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 1REM - 20.625REM) / 2);PADDG-LEFT:1REM;PADDG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 1REM - 20.625REM) / -2) - 1REM);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 90REM){{MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 2);MAX-WIDTH:LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM);PADDG-LEFT:1REM;PADDG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 + 1REM)) / -2) - LC(2 * 1REM));}[DATA-HAS-SPONSOR] {MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 4);MARG-RIGHT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 4);}}{JTIFY-SELF:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG-LEFT:-50VW;MARG-RIGHT:-50VW;WIDTH:100VW;LEFT:50%;RIGHT:50%;}}{HEIGHT:TO;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:TO LC(50% - 50VW);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:TO;}}{POSN:RELATIVE;HEIGHT:TO;}{POSN:RELATIVE;--POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:TO;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:TO;} A{POSN:ABSOLUTE;}{POSN:RELATIVE;WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;VERTIL-ALIGN:TOP;}{BACKGROUND:#C92228;BOTTOM:0;PADDG:.5REM;RIGHT:0;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{PADDG:0.39REM;}}{DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:1REM;WIDTH:1REM;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{WIDTH:1.063REM;HEIGHT:1.063REM;}}{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{PADDG-LEFT:3.5REM;PADDG-RIGHT:3.5REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{MAX-WIDTH:45.25REM;MARG-LEFT:TO;MARG-RIGHT:TO;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 73.75REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 100REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 90REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}} EM{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;}{CLEAR:BOTH;NTENT:" ";DISPLAY:BLOCK;FONT-SIZE:0.7REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.5REM;HEIGHT:0REM;VISIBILY:HIDN;}{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;} EM{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;}(1953-){LOR:#323232;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:800;LETTER-SPACG:0.02EM;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;MARG-TOP:0.625REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:1.875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:2REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{FONT-SIZE:2REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}} B, STRONG{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} EM, I{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;}WHO IS HOWARD SCHULTZ?BORN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ON JULY 19, 1953, HOWARD SCHULTZ GRADUATED OM NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSY WH A BACHELOR'S GREE MUNITNS BEFORE BEG DIRECTOR OF RETAIL OPERATNS AND MARKETG FOR THE STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY 1982. AFTER FOUNDG THE FFEE PANY IL GRNALE 1987, HE PURCHASED STARBUCKS AND BEME CEO AND CHAIRMAN OF THE PANY. SCHULTZ PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS RIGNG AS STARBUCKS' CEO 2000, THOUGH HE RETURNED TO HEAD THE PANY OM 2008 TO 2018. HE THEN REVEALED HIS TENTN TO N FOR PRINT AS AN PENNT 2020, BEFORE ENDG HIS BID SEPTEMBER 2019.EARLY LIFE AND CAREERHOWARD D. SCHULTZ WAS BORN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ON JULY 19, 1953, AND MOVED WH HIS FAY TO THE BAYVIEW HOG PROJECTS CANARSIE, A NEIGHBORHOOD SOUTHEASTERN BROOKLYN, WHEN HE WAS 3 YEARS OLD. SCHULTZ WAS A NATURAL ATHLETE, LEADG THE BASKETBALL URTS AROUND HIS HOME AND THE FOOTBALL FIELD AT SCHOOL. HE MA HIS PE OM CANARSIE WH A FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIP TO NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSY 1970. AFTER GRADUATG OM THE UNIVERSY WH A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE GREE MUNITN 1975, SCHULTZ FOUND WORK AS AN APPLIANCE SALMAN FOR HAMMARPLAST, A PANY THAT SOLD EUROPEAN FFEE MAKERS THE UNED STAT. RISG THROUGH THE RANKS TO BEE DIRECTOR OF SAL, THE EARLY 1980S, SCHULTZ NOTICED THAT HE WAS SELLG MORE FFEE MAKERS TO A SMALL OPERATN SEATTLE, WASHGTON, KNOWN THEN AS THE STARBUCKS COFFEE TEA AND SPICE COMPANY, THAN TO MACY'S. "EVERY MONTH, EVERY QUARTER, THE NUMBERS WERE GOG UP, EVEN THOUGH STARBUCKS JT HAD A FEW STOR," SCHULTZ LATER REMEMBERED. "AND I SAID, 'I GOTTA GO UP TO SEATTLE.'" HOWARD SCHULTZ STILL DISTCTLY REMEMBERS THE FIRST TIME HE WALKED TO THE ORIGAL STARBUCKS 1981. AT THAT TIME, STARBUCKS HAD ONLY BEEN AROUND FOR 10 YEARS AND DIDN'T EXIST OUTSI SEATTLE. THE PANY'S ORIGAL OWNERS, OLD LLEGE BUDDI JERRY BALDW AND GORDON BOWKER AND THEIR NEIGHBOR, ZEV SIEGL, HAD FOUND STARBUCKS 1971. THE THREE IENDS ALSO ME UP WH THE FFEE PANY'S UBIQUO MERMAID LOGO. "WHEN I WALKED THIS STORE FOR THE FIRST TIME—I KNOW THIS SOUNDS REALLY HOKEY—I KNEW I WAS HOME," SCHULTZ LATER REMEMBERED. "I N'T EXPLA . BUT I KNEW I WAS A SPECIAL PLACE, AND THE PRODUCT KD OF SPOKE TO ME." AT THAT TIME, HE ADD, "I HAD NEVER HAD A GOOD CUP OF FFEE. I MET THE FOUNRS OF THE PANY, AND REALLY HEARD FOR THE FIRST TIME THE STORY OF GREAT FFEE ... I JT SAID, 'GOD, THIS IS SOMETHG I'VE BEEN LOOKG FOR MY WHOLE PROFSNAL LIFE.'" LTLE DID SCHULTZ KNOW THEN HOW FORTUO HIS TRODUCTN TO THE PANY WOULD TLY BE, OR THAT HE WOULD HAVE AN TEGRAL PART CREATG THE MORN STARBUCKS.BIRTH OF THE MORN STARBUCKSA YEAR AFTER MEETG WH STARBUCKS' FOUNRS, 1982, HOWARD SCHULTZ WAS HIRED AS DIRECTOR OF RETAIL OPERATNS AND MARKETG FOR THE GROWG FFEE PANY, WHICH, AT THE TIME, ONLY SOLD FFEE BEANS, NOT FFEE DRKS. "MY IMPRSN OF HOWARD AT THAT TIME WAS THAT HE WAS A FABULO MUNITOR," -FOUNR ZEV SIEGL LATER REMEMBERED. "ONE TO ONE, HE STILL IS." EARLY ON, SCHULTZ SET ABOUT MAKG HIS MARK ON THE PANY WHILE MAKG STARBUCKS' MISSN HIS OWN. IN 1983, WHILE TRAVELG MILAN, ITALY, HE WAS STCK BY THE NUMBER OF FFEE BARS HE ENUNTERED. AN IA THEN OCCURRED TO HIM: STARBUCKS SHOULD SELL NOT JT FFEE BEANS BUT FFEE DRKS. "I SAW SOMETHG. NOT ONLY THE ROMANCE OF FFEE, BUT ... A SENSE OF MUNY. AND THE NNECTN THAT PEOPLE HAD TO FFEE—THE PLACE AND ONE ANOTHER," SCHULTZ RELLED. "AND AFTER A WEEK ITALY, I WAS SO NVCED WH SUCH UNBRIDLED ENTHIASM THAT I ULDN'T WA TO GET BACK TO SEATTLE TO TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT I HAD SEEN THE FUTURE." SCHULTZ'S ENTHIASM FOR OPENG FFEE BARS STARBUCKS STOR, HOWEVER, WASN'T SHARED BY THE PANY'S CREATORS. "WE SAID, 'OH NO, THAT'S NOT FOR ,'" SIEGL REMEMBERED. "THROUGHOUT THE '70S, WE SERVED FFEE OUR STORE. WE EVEN, AT ONE POT, HAD A NICE, BIG PRSO MACHE BEHD THE UNTER. BUT WE WERE THE BEAN BS." NEVERTHELS, SCHULTZ WAS PERSISTENT UNTIL, FALLY, THE OWNERS LET HIM TABLISH A FFEE BAR A NEW STORE THAT WAS OPENG SEATTLE. IT WAS AN STANT SUCCS, BRGG HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE PER DAY AND TRODUCG A WHOLE NEW LANGUAGE—THE LANGUAGE OF THE FFEEHOE—TO SEATTLE 1984. BUT THE SUCCS OF THE FFEE BAR MONSTRATED TO THE ORIGAL FOUNRS THAT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO GO THE DIRECTN SCHULTZ WANTED TO TAKE THEM. THEY DIDN'T WANT TO GET BIG. DISAPPOTED, SCHULTZ LEFT STARBUCKS 1985 TO OPEN A FFEE BAR CHA OF HIS OWN, IL GRNALE, WHICH QUICKLY GARNERED SUCCS. TWO YEARS LATER, WH THE HELP OF VTORS, SCHULTZ PURCHASED STARBUCKS, MERGG IL GRNALE WH THE SEATTLE PANY. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE BEME CEO AND CHAIRMAN OF STARBUCKS (KNOWN THEREAFTER AS THE STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY). SCHULTZ HAD TO NVCE VTORS THAT AMERINS WOULD ACTUALLY SHELL OUT HIGH PRIC FOR A BEVERAGE THAT THEY WERE ED TO GETTG FOR 50 CENTS. AT THE TIME, MOST AMERINS DIDN'T KNOW A HIGH-GRA FFEE BEAN OM A TEASPOON OF NFé STANT FFEE. IN FACT, FFEE NSUMPTN THE UNED STAT HAD BEEN GOG DOWN SCE 1962. IN 2000, SCHULTZ PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS RIGNG AS STARBUCKS' CEO. EIGHT YEARS LATER, HOWEVER, HE RETURNED TO HEAD THE PANY. IN A 2009 TERVIEW WH CBS, SCHULTZ SAID OF STARBUCKS' MISSN, "WE'RE NOT THE BS OF FILLG BELLI; WE'RE THE BS OF FILLG SOULS."CONTUED SUCCSIN 2006, HOWARD SCHULTZ WAS RANKED NO. 359 ON FORB MAGAZE'S "FORB 400" LIST, WHICH PRENTS THE 400 RICHT DIVIDUALS THE UNED STAT. IN 2013, HE WAS RANKED NO. 311 ON THE SAME LIST, AS WELL AS NO. 931 ON FORB'S LIST OF BILLNAIR AROUND THE GLOBE. TODAY, NO ONE PANY SELLS MORE FFEE DRKS TO MORE PEOPLE MORE PLAC THAN STARBUCKS. BY 2012, STARBUCKS HAD GROWN TO ENPASS MORE THAN 17,600 STOR 39 UNTRI AROUND THE WORLD, AND S MARKET PALIZATN WAS VALUED AT $35.6 BILLN. BY 2014, STARBUCKS HAD MORE THAN 21,000 STOR WORLDWI AND A MARKET P OF $60 BILLN. THE CREDIBLY POPULAR FFEE PANY REPORTEDLY OPENS TWO OR THREE NEW STOR EVERY DAY AND ATTRACTS AROUND 60 LN CTOMERS PER WEEK. ACRDG TO {-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN-THICKNS:0.0625REM;TEXT-RATN-LOR:HER;TEXT-UNRLE-OFFSET:0.25REM;LOR:#A00000;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;}{LOR:#595959;TEXT-RATN-LOR:BORR-LK-BODY-HOVER;}THE PANY'S WEBSE, STARBUCKS HAS BEEN "MTED TO ETHILLY SOURCG AND ROASTG THE HIGHT-QUALY ARABI FFEE THE WORLD" SCE 1971.SOCIAL CS: GAY MARRIAGE AND RACIAL SENSIVYIN MARCH 2013, SCHULTZ MA HEADL AND WON WI APPLSE AFTER MAKG A STATEMENT SUPPORT OF THE LEGALIZATN OF GAY MARRIAGE. AFTER A SHAREHOLR PLAED THAT STARBUCKS HAD LOST SAL DUE S SUPPORT FOR GAY MARRIAGE (THE PANY HAD ANNOUNCED S SUPPORT FOR A REFERENDUM TO LEGALIZE GAY UNN THE STATE OF WASHGTON), SCHULTZ RPOND, "NOT EVERY CISN IS AN ENOMIC CISN. DPE THE FACT THAT YOU RECE STATISTICS THAT ARE NARROW TIME, WE DID PROVI A 38 PERCENT SHAREHOLR RETURN OVER THE LAST YEAR. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY THGS YOU VT , BUT I WOULD SPECT NOT MANY THGS, PANI, PRODUCTS, VTMENTS HAVE RETURNED 38 PERCENT OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS."THE LENS WHICH WE ARE MAKG THAT CISN IS THROUGH THE LENS OF OUR PEOPLE," HE NTUED. "WE EMPLOY OVER 200,000 PEOPLE THIS PANY, AND WE WANT TO EMBRACE DIVERSY. OF ALL KDS. IF YOU FEEL, RPECTFULLY, THAT YOU N GET A HIGHER RETURN THAN THE 38 PERCENT YOU GOT LAST YEAR, 'S A EE UNTRY. YOU N SELL YOUR SHAR STARBUCKS AND BUY SHAR ANOTHER PANY."IN APRIL 2018, THE PANY ENUNTERED ANOTHER HOT-BUTTON ISSUE WHEN TWO AIN AMERIN MEN WERE ARRTED AT A PHILALPHIA LOTN FOR TRPASSG, AFTER NVENG AT THE STORE BUT NOT ORRG ANYTHG. SCHULTZ SUBSEQUENTLY SPEARHEAD A RACIAL-BIAS TRAG PROGRAM TO HELP ENSURE THAT SUCH AN UNFORTUNATE CINT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGA.RETIREMENT AND PRINTIAL SPECULATNIN EARLY JUNE 2018, HOWARD SCHULTZ ANNOUNCED THAT HE WOULD BE STEPPG DOWN AS CHAIRMAN OF STARBUCKS AT THE END OF THE MONTH. AT THE TIME, THE CHA HAD GROWN TO CLU MORE THAN 28,000 STOR 77 UNTRI.THE MOVE ADD FUEL TO THE MOR THAT THE SUCCSFUL BSMAN WAS NSIRG A N FOR PRINT 2020, AND SCHULTZ DID LTLE TO DIFFE THE SPECULATN. "FOR SOME TIME NOW, I HAVE BEEN EPLY NCERNED ABOUT OUR UNTRY — THE GROWG DIVISN AT HOME AND OUR STANDG THE WORLD," HE TOLD THE NEW YORK TIM, THOUGH HE ADD THAT HE WAS "A LONG WAY OM MAKG ANY CISNS ABOUT THE FUTURE."IN JANUARY 2019, SCHULTZ REVEALED THAT HE WAS PREPARG TO N FOR PRINT AS AN PENNT, THOUGH HE SAID HE WOULD FIRST TOUR THE UNTRY TO PROMOTE HIS NEW BOOK, FROM THE GROUND UP: A JOURNEY TO REIMAGE THE PROMISE OF AMERI, BEFORE CIDG WHETHER TO FORMALLY ENTER THE RACE.ALONG WH WEATHERG CRICISM FOR POTENTIALLY DRAWG VOT AWAY OM THE EVENTUAL DEMOCRATIC NOMEE, SCHULTZ SUFFERED A SETBACK WHEN BACK PA PROMPTED A SERI OF OPERATNS AND FORCED HIM OFF THE MPAIGN TRAIL. IN SEPTEMBER 2019, THE BSMAN ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS ABANDONG HIS BID FOR THE PRINCY."MY BELIEF THE NEED TO REFORM OUR TWO-PARTY SYSTEM HAS NOT WAVERED, BUT I HAVE NCLUD THAT AN PENNT MPAIGN FOR THE WHE HOE IS NOT HOW I N BT SERVE OUR UNTRY AT THIS TIME," SCHULTZ WROTE A LETTER POSTED TO HIS WEBSE. SCHULTZ HAS TWO CHILDREN, JORDAN AND ADDISON, WH HIS WIFE, SHERI (KERSCH) SCHULTZ. HE OWNS A HOME THE MADISON PARK SECTN OF SEATTLE, WASHGTON. {BORR:0;BORR-BOTTOM:TH SOLID BLACK;MARG:1.875REM 0;CLEAR:BOTH;}QUICK FACTS
• STARBUCKS GAY MARRIAGE STANCE: CEO PUTS SMACKDOWN ON ANTI-MARRIAGE EQUALY SHAREHOLR
• STARBUCKS’ HOWARD SCHULTZ ON GAY MARRIAGE — PUBLICY STUNT OR POOR RISK MANAGEMENT?
• STARBUCKS CEO HOWARD SCHULTZ’S GRAN SUPPORT FOR GAY MARRIAGE

STARBUCKS CEO HOLDS HIS GROUND ON GAY MARRIAGE

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz dug his heels about gay marriage after an vtor plaed that the pany's support was erodg s bottom le. In March 2012, the Natnal Organizatn for Marriage stuted a "Dump Starbucks" boytt bee of the pany's support of gay marriage.

"Until January a year ago, we existed whout makg gay marriage a re value of our pany, " said Stber. " Related: Gay muny optimistic about fancial future Many major pani have publicly taken a stance on gay marriage. Dan Cathy, CEO of Chick-Fil-A, announced his opposn to gay marriage last year.

HOWARD SCHULTZ TO ANTI-GAY-MARRIAGE STARBUCKS SHAREHOLR: 'YOU CAN SELL YOUR SHAR'

Bs surged as ctomers led up at the fast food cha to show their support, while gay upl staged a "kiss day" prott. 3, HomeThe Washgton Post, March 25, 2013, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz’s gran support for gay marriageForb, March 22, 2013, Howard Schultz to Anti-Gay-Marriage Starbucks Shareholr: 'You Can Sell Your Shar'Puget Sound Bs Journal, March 23, 2013, Starbucks CEO fends gay-marriage stance shareholr meetg qutns (Vio)Sam Jefi, Feb. Schultz replied that supportg gay marriage was not an enomic cisn and if Strobhar thought he uld get a higher return elsewhere he uld sell his shar Starbucks.

HOWARD {LOR:#595959;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:600;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:0.875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.2;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:1.25REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.2;}} A{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN-THICKNS:0.0625REM;TEXT-RATN-LOR:HER;TEXT-UNRLE-OFFSET:0.25REM;LOR:HER;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;} A:HOVER{LOR:#A00000;TEXT-RATN-LOR:BORR-LK-BODY-HOVER;}HOWARD SCHULTZ IS THE FORMER CEO AND CHAIRMAN OF STARBUCKS, THE HIGHLY SUCCSFUL FFEE {LOR:#323232;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;} SPAN{FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;}{FONT-STYLE:NORMAL;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;LOR:#323232;FONT-FAY:RALAS,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.3;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;TEXT-TRANSFORM:PALIZE;}{DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;MARG-LEFT:0.625REM;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;}UPDATED: SEP 23, {DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;}{MARG-BOTTOM:0.9375REM;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 64REM){{MAX-WIDTH:LC(100VW - (1REM * 2));MARG-LEFT:1REM;MARG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(-1 * 1REM);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{MARG-LEFT:TO;MARG-RIGHT:TO;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - (LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 2 * 1REM)) / -2);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 61.25REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 90REM){{MAX-WIDTH:LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM);MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 1REM - 20.625REM) / 2);PADDG-LEFT:1REM;PADDG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 1REM - 20.625REM) / -2) - 1REM);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 90REM){{MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 2);MAX-WIDTH:LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM);PADDG-LEFT:1REM;PADDG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 + 1REM)) / -2) - LC(2 * 1REM));}[DATA-HAS-SPONSOR] {MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 4);MARG-RIGHT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 4);}}{JTIFY-SELF:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG-LEFT:-50VW;MARG-RIGHT:-50VW;WIDTH:100VW;LEFT:50%;RIGHT:50%;}}{HEIGHT:TO;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:TO LC(50% - 50VW);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:TO;}}{POSN:RELATIVE;HEIGHT:TO;}{POSN:RELATIVE;--POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:TO;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:TO;} A{POSN:ABSOLUTE;}{POSN:RELATIVE;WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;VERTIL-ALIGN:TOP;}{BACKGROUND:#C92228;BOTTOM:0;PADDG:.5REM;RIGHT:0;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{PADDG:0.39REM;}}{DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:1REM;WIDTH:1REM;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{WIDTH:1.063REM;HEIGHT:1.063REM;}}{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{PADDG-LEFT:3.5REM;PADDG-RIGHT:3.5REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{MAX-WIDTH:45.25REM;MARG-LEFT:TO;MARG-RIGHT:TO;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 73.75REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 100REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 90REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}} EM{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;}{CLEAR:BOTH;NTENT:" ";DISPLAY:BLOCK;FONT-SIZE:0.7REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.5REM;HEIGHT:0REM;VISIBILY:HIDN;}{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;} EM{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;}(1953-){LOR:#323232;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:800;LETTER-SPACG:0.02EM;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;MARG-TOP:0.625REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:1.875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:2REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{FONT-SIZE:2REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}} B, STRONG{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} EM, I{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;}WHO IS HOWARD SCHULTZ?BORN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ON JULY 19, 1953, HOWARD SCHULTZ GRADUATED OM NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSY WH A BACHELOR'S GREE MUNITNS BEFORE BEG DIRECTOR OF RETAIL OPERATNS AND MARKETG FOR THE STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY 1982. AFTER FOUNDG THE FFEE PANY IL GRNALE 1987, HE PURCHASED STARBUCKS AND BEME CEO AND CHAIRMAN OF THE PANY. SCHULTZ PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS RIGNG AS STARBUCKS' CEO 2000, THOUGH HE RETURNED TO HEAD THE PANY OM 2008 TO 2018. HE THEN REVEALED HIS TENTN TO N FOR PRINT AS AN PENNT 2020, BEFORE ENDG HIS BID SEPTEMBER 2019.EARLY LIFE AND CAREERHOWARD D. SCHULTZ WAS BORN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ON JULY 19, 1953, AND MOVED WH HIS FAY TO THE BAYVIEW HOG PROJECTS CANARSIE, A NEIGHBORHOOD SOUTHEASTERN BROOKLYN, WHEN HE WAS 3 YEARS OLD. SCHULTZ WAS A NATURAL ATHLETE, LEADG THE BASKETBALL URTS AROUND HIS HOME AND THE FOOTBALL FIELD AT SCHOOL. HE MA HIS PE OM CANARSIE WH A FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIP TO NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSY 1970. AFTER GRADUATG OM THE UNIVERSY WH A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE GREE MUNITN 1975, SCHULTZ FOUND WORK AS AN APPLIANCE SALMAN FOR HAMMARPLAST, A PANY THAT SOLD EUROPEAN FFEE MAKERS THE UNED STAT. RISG THROUGH THE RANKS TO BEE DIRECTOR OF SAL, THE EARLY 1980S, SCHULTZ NOTICED THAT HE WAS SELLG MORE FFEE MAKERS TO A SMALL OPERATN SEATTLE, WASHGTON, KNOWN THEN AS THE STARBUCKS COFFEE TEA AND SPICE COMPANY, THAN TO MACY'S. "EVERY MONTH, EVERY QUARTER, THE NUMBERS WERE GOG UP, EVEN THOUGH STARBUCKS JT HAD A FEW STOR," SCHULTZ LATER REMEMBERED. "AND I SAID, 'I GOTTA GO UP TO SEATTLE.'" HOWARD SCHULTZ STILL DISTCTLY REMEMBERS THE FIRST TIME HE WALKED TO THE ORIGAL STARBUCKS 1981. AT THAT TIME, STARBUCKS HAD ONLY BEEN AROUND FOR 10 YEARS AND DIDN'T EXIST OUTSI SEATTLE. THE PANY'S ORIGAL OWNERS, OLD LLEGE BUDDI JERRY BALDW AND GORDON BOWKER AND THEIR NEIGHBOR, ZEV SIEGL, HAD FOUND STARBUCKS 1971. THE THREE IENDS ALSO ME UP WH THE FFEE PANY'S UBIQUO MERMAID LOGO. "WHEN I WALKED THIS STORE FOR THE FIRST TIME—I KNOW THIS SOUNDS REALLY HOKEY—I KNEW I WAS HOME," SCHULTZ LATER REMEMBERED. "I N'T EXPLA . BUT I KNEW I WAS A SPECIAL PLACE, AND THE PRODUCT KD OF SPOKE TO ME." AT THAT TIME, HE ADD, "I HAD NEVER HAD A GOOD CUP OF FFEE. I MET THE FOUNRS OF THE PANY, AND REALLY HEARD FOR THE FIRST TIME THE STORY OF GREAT FFEE ... I JT SAID, 'GOD, THIS IS SOMETHG I'VE BEEN LOOKG FOR MY WHOLE PROFSNAL LIFE.'" LTLE DID SCHULTZ KNOW THEN HOW FORTUO HIS TRODUCTN TO THE PANY WOULD TLY BE, OR THAT HE WOULD HAVE AN TEGRAL PART CREATG THE MORN STARBUCKS.BIRTH OF THE MORN STARBUCKSA YEAR AFTER MEETG WH STARBUCKS' FOUNRS, 1982, HOWARD SCHULTZ WAS HIRED AS DIRECTOR OF RETAIL OPERATNS AND MARKETG FOR THE GROWG FFEE PANY, WHICH, AT THE TIME, ONLY SOLD FFEE BEANS, NOT FFEE DRKS. "MY IMPRSN OF HOWARD AT THAT TIME WAS THAT HE WAS A FABULO MUNITOR," -FOUNR ZEV SIEGL LATER REMEMBERED. "ONE TO ONE, HE STILL IS." EARLY ON, SCHULTZ SET ABOUT MAKG HIS MARK ON THE PANY WHILE MAKG STARBUCKS' MISSN HIS OWN. IN 1983, WHILE TRAVELG MILAN, ITALY, HE WAS STCK BY THE NUMBER OF FFEE BARS HE ENUNTERED. AN IA THEN OCCURRED TO HIM: STARBUCKS SHOULD SELL NOT JT FFEE BEANS BUT FFEE DRKS. "I SAW SOMETHG. NOT ONLY THE ROMANCE OF FFEE, BUT ... A SENSE OF MUNY. AND THE NNECTN THAT PEOPLE HAD TO FFEE—THE PLACE AND ONE ANOTHER," SCHULTZ RELLED. "AND AFTER A WEEK ITALY, I WAS SO NVCED WH SUCH UNBRIDLED ENTHIASM THAT I ULDN'T WA TO GET BACK TO SEATTLE TO TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT I HAD SEEN THE FUTURE." SCHULTZ'S ENTHIASM FOR OPENG FFEE BARS STARBUCKS STOR, HOWEVER, WASN'T SHARED BY THE PANY'S CREATORS. "WE SAID, 'OH NO, THAT'S NOT FOR ,'" SIEGL REMEMBERED. "THROUGHOUT THE '70S, WE SERVED FFEE OUR STORE. WE EVEN, AT ONE POT, HAD A NICE, BIG PRSO MACHE BEHD THE UNTER. BUT WE WERE THE BEAN BS." NEVERTHELS, SCHULTZ WAS PERSISTENT UNTIL, FALLY, THE OWNERS LET HIM TABLISH A FFEE BAR A NEW STORE THAT WAS OPENG SEATTLE. IT WAS AN STANT SUCCS, BRGG HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE PER DAY AND TRODUCG A WHOLE NEW LANGUAGE—THE LANGUAGE OF THE FFEEHOE—TO SEATTLE 1984. BUT THE SUCCS OF THE FFEE BAR MONSTRATED TO THE ORIGAL FOUNRS THAT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO GO THE DIRECTN SCHULTZ WANTED TO TAKE THEM. THEY DIDN'T WANT TO GET BIG. DISAPPOTED, SCHULTZ LEFT STARBUCKS 1985 TO OPEN A FFEE BAR CHA OF HIS OWN, IL GRNALE, WHICH QUICKLY GARNERED SUCCS. TWO YEARS LATER, WH THE HELP OF VTORS, SCHULTZ PURCHASED STARBUCKS, MERGG IL GRNALE WH THE SEATTLE PANY. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE BEME CEO AND CHAIRMAN OF STARBUCKS (KNOWN THEREAFTER AS THE STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY). SCHULTZ HAD TO NVCE VTORS THAT AMERINS WOULD ACTUALLY SHELL OUT HIGH PRIC FOR A BEVERAGE THAT THEY WERE ED TO GETTG FOR 50 CENTS. AT THE TIME, MOST AMERINS DIDN'T KNOW A HIGH-GRA FFEE BEAN OM A TEASPOON OF NFé STANT FFEE. IN FACT, FFEE NSUMPTN THE UNED STAT HAD BEEN GOG DOWN SCE 1962. IN 2000, SCHULTZ PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS RIGNG AS STARBUCKS' CEO. EIGHT YEARS LATER, HOWEVER, HE RETURNED TO HEAD THE PANY. IN A 2009 TERVIEW WH CBS, SCHULTZ SAID OF STARBUCKS' MISSN, "WE'RE NOT THE BS OF FILLG BELLI; WE'RE THE BS OF FILLG SOULS."CONTUED SUCCSIN 2006, HOWARD SCHULTZ WAS RANKED NO. 359 ON FORB MAGAZE'S "FORB 400" LIST, WHICH PRENTS THE 400 RICHT DIVIDUALS THE UNED STAT. IN 2013, HE WAS RANKED NO. 311 ON THE SAME LIST, AS WELL AS NO. 931 ON FORB'S LIST OF BILLNAIR AROUND THE GLOBE. TODAY, NO ONE PANY SELLS MORE FFEE DRKS TO MORE PEOPLE MORE PLAC THAN STARBUCKS. BY 2012, STARBUCKS HAD GROWN TO ENPASS MORE THAN 17,600 STOR 39 UNTRI AROUND THE WORLD, AND S MARKET PALIZATN WAS VALUED AT $35.6 BILLN. BY 2014, STARBUCKS HAD MORE THAN 21,000 STOR WORLDWI AND A MARKET P OF $60 BILLN. THE CREDIBLY POPULAR FFEE PANY REPORTEDLY OPENS TWO OR THREE NEW STOR EVERY DAY AND ATTRACTS AROUND 60 LN CTOMERS PER WEEK. ACRDG TO {-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN-THICKNS:0.0625REM;TEXT-RATN-LOR:HER;TEXT-UNRLE-OFFSET:0.25REM;LOR:#A00000;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;}{LOR:#595959;TEXT-RATN-LOR:BORR-LK-BODY-HOVER;}THE PANY'S WEBSE, STARBUCKS HAS BEEN "MTED TO ETHILLY SOURCG AND ROASTG THE HIGHT-QUALY ARABI FFEE THE WORLD" SCE 1971.SOCIAL CS: GAY MARRIAGE AND RACIAL SENSIVYIN MARCH 2013, SCHULTZ MA HEADL AND WON WI APPLSE AFTER MAKG A STATEMENT SUPPORT OF THE LEGALIZATN OF GAY MARRIAGE. AFTER A SHAREHOLR PLAED THAT STARBUCKS HAD LOST SAL DUE S SUPPORT FOR GAY MARRIAGE (THE PANY HAD ANNOUNCED S SUPPORT FOR A REFERENDUM TO LEGALIZE GAY UNN THE STATE OF WASHGTON), SCHULTZ RPOND, "NOT EVERY CISN IS AN ENOMIC CISN. DPE THE FACT THAT YOU RECE STATISTICS THAT ARE NARROW TIME, WE DID PROVI A 38 PERCENT SHAREHOLR RETURN OVER THE LAST YEAR. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY THGS YOU VT , BUT I WOULD SPECT NOT MANY THGS, PANI, PRODUCTS, VTMENTS HAVE RETURNED 38 PERCENT OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS."THE LENS WHICH WE ARE MAKG THAT CISN IS THROUGH THE LENS OF OUR PEOPLE," HE NTUED. "WE EMPLOY OVER 200,000 PEOPLE THIS PANY, AND WE WANT TO EMBRACE DIVERSY. OF ALL KDS. IF YOU FEEL, RPECTFULLY, THAT YOU N GET A HIGHER RETURN THAN THE 38 PERCENT YOU GOT LAST YEAR, 'S A EE UNTRY. YOU N SELL YOUR SHAR STARBUCKS AND BUY SHAR ANOTHER PANY."IN APRIL 2018, THE PANY ENUNTERED ANOTHER HOT-BUTTON ISSUE WHEN TWO AIN AMERIN MEN WERE ARRTED AT A PHILALPHIA LOTN FOR TRPASSG, AFTER NVENG AT THE STORE BUT NOT ORRG ANYTHG. SCHULTZ SUBSEQUENTLY SPEARHEAD A RACIAL-BIAS TRAG PROGRAM TO HELP ENSURE THAT SUCH AN UNFORTUNATE CINT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGA.RETIREMENT AND PRINTIAL SPECULATNIN EARLY JUNE 2018, HOWARD SCHULTZ ANNOUNCED THAT HE WOULD BE STEPPG DOWN AS CHAIRMAN OF STARBUCKS AT THE END OF THE MONTH. AT THE TIME, THE CHA HAD GROWN TO CLU MORE THAN 28,000 STOR 77 UNTRI.THE MOVE ADD FUEL TO THE MOR THAT THE SUCCSFUL BSMAN WAS NSIRG A N FOR PRINT 2020, AND SCHULTZ DID LTLE TO DIFFE THE SPECULATN. "FOR SOME TIME NOW, I HAVE BEEN EPLY NCERNED ABOUT OUR UNTRY — THE GROWG DIVISN AT HOME AND OUR STANDG THE WORLD," HE TOLD THE NEW YORK TIM, THOUGH HE ADD THAT HE WAS "A LONG WAY OM MAKG ANY CISNS ABOUT THE FUTURE."IN JANUARY 2019, SCHULTZ REVEALED THAT HE WAS PREPARG TO N FOR PRINT AS AN PENNT, THOUGH HE SAID HE WOULD FIRST TOUR THE UNTRY TO PROMOTE HIS NEW BOOK, FROM THE GROUND UP: A JOURNEY TO REIMAGE THE PROMISE OF AMERI, BEFORE CIDG WHETHER TO FORMALLY ENTER THE RACE.ALONG WH WEATHERG CRICISM FOR POTENTIALLY DRAWG VOT AWAY OM THE EVENTUAL DEMOCRATIC NOMEE, SCHULTZ SUFFERED A SETBACK WHEN BACK PA PROMPTED A SERI OF OPERATNS AND FORCED HIM OFF THE MPAIGN TRAIL. IN SEPTEMBER 2019, THE BSMAN ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS ABANDONG HIS BID FOR THE PRINCY."MY BELIEF THE NEED TO REFORM OUR TWO-PARTY SYSTEM HAS NOT WAVERED, BUT I HAVE NCLUD THAT AN PENNT MPAIGN FOR THE WHE HOE IS NOT HOW I N BT SERVE OUR UNTRY AT THIS TIME," SCHULTZ WROTE A LETTER POSTED TO HIS WEBSE. SCHULTZ HAS TWO CHILDREN, JORDAN AND ADDISON, WH HIS WIFE, SHERI (KERSCH) SCHULTZ. HE OWNS A HOME THE MADISON PARK SECTN OF SEATTLE, WASHGTON. {BORR:0;BORR-BOTTOM:TH SOLID BLACK;MARG:1.875REM 0;CLEAR:BOTH;}QUICK FACTS

We are proud of our Pri Alliance Partner Network group, which is one of the largt Employer Rource Groups for Lbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgenr (LGBT) employe the U. That support led the pany to beg the target of "Dump Starbucks" boytts stuted by anti-gay marriage groups such as the Natnal Organizatn for Marriage.

“Howard Schultz to Anti-Gay-Marriage Starbucks Shareholr.

“Washgton State’s Governor Signs Gay Marriage Law. “Starbucks CEO Doubl Down on Gay-Marriage Support.

STARBUCKS GAY MARRIAGE STANCE: CEO PUTS SMACKDOWN ON ANTI-MARRIAGE EQUALY SHAREHOLR

At Starbucks’ annual meetg Seattle on Wednday a shareholr plaed to the chief executive, Howard Schultz, that the pany had lost ctomers bee of s support for gay marriage.

STARBUCKS’ HOWARD SCHULTZ ON GAY MARRIAGE — PUBLICY STUNT OR POOR RISK MANAGEMENT?

Last year Starbucks announced s support for Washgton's state's referendum backg gay marriage, and rponse the Natnal Organizatn for Marriage lnched a boytt of the ffee cha. "In the first full quarter after this boytt was announced, our sal and our earngs, shall we say polely, were a b disappotg, " said the shareholr, Tom Strobhar, whom the Huffgton Post intifi at the founr of the anti-gay marriage Corporate Moraly Actn Center.

STARBUCKS CEO HOWARD SCHULTZ’S GRAN SUPPORT FOR GAY MARRIAGE

A Washgton Post poll this week found that support for gay marriage among Amerins has shot up to 58% favor and 36% agast, a plete turnaround ls than 10 years. Acrdg to the pany's webse, Starbucks has been "mted to ethilly sourcg and roastg the hight-qualy arabi ffee the world" sce Cs: Gay Marriage and Racial SensivyIn March 2013, Schultz ma headl and won wi applse after makg a statement support of the legalizatn of gay marriage.