All 7,100 company owned Starbucks stores in the U.S. are closing from 5:30 to 8:30PM Tuesday for training on espresso machines, according to media reports.
The Art of Espresso training was announced in the blog of Starbucks founder Howard Schultz.
Schultz recently returned as CEO to try to right the struggling company with a return to roots as it faces increasing competition from fast-food restaurants’ entrance into specialty coffees.
One of those competitors trying to muscle its way into the specialty coffee field is Dunkin’ Donuts, which is offering small lattes, cappuccinos and espressos for 99 cents from 1-10 p.m. on Tuesday.