Starbucks stops free iced coffee in Southeast

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Starbucks Corp. said on Tuesday it is
withdrawing an offer of free iced coffee to a limited number of
employees and their friends and families in the southeast
United States.

In a statement, Starbucks said the offer “has been
redistributed beyond the original intent and modified beyond
Starbucks’ control.”

The company said an e-mail offering a free Starbucks iced
coffee was sent to a limited group of employees in the
southeast on August 23 with instructions to forward it to
friends and family.

However, Starbucks said the offer was redistributed beyond
the original intent. Effective immediately, the offer will no
longer be valid at any Starbucks locations.

In July, Starbucks posted its weakest monthly same-store
sales increase since 2001, saying heavy demand for cold drinks
like Frappuccinos slowed service during busy morning hours,
prompting customers to go elsewhere for their daily jolt.