Starbucks: Layoffs, changes on back burner

SEATTLE, March 3 (UPI) -- Seattle coffee retailer Starbucks will lay low for a little while, slowing down on menu changes, Chief Executive Officer Howard Schultz said Tuesday.

Shultz told the Seattle Times, "I don't think we'll see as many, no," when asked if the company planned on major announcements soon.

Shultz said that Starbucks, which has laid off 8,700 workers and closed 975 stores since he resumed his ceo position last year, would not be announcing further layoffs in the near future.

The company's latest menu changes started Tuesday with an instant coffee called Via on sale in Seattle and Chicago stores.

The retailer also began offering new deals on "combination meals" the newspaper said.

Shultz said Via was designed to appeal to customers in a hurry and not replace the slow-brewed variety.

"There's never been anything like this. If you are coming to Starbucks once a week or twice a week, you're going to want to take this with you," he said.