Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Starbucks says 'nyet' to Russian smokers

|
|
 
  
A Starbucks logo is seen at a Starbucks shop in Sunnyvale, California April 9, 2010. UPI/Mohammad Kheirkhah 
License photo
Published: July 30, 2011 at 1:22 PM
Advertisement

MOSCOW, July 30 (UPI) -- U.S. coffee house chain Starbucks has said "nyet" to Russia when it comes to smoking in its shops, as it affects the taste of coffee.

"Coffee beans are very porous. They suck in the smoke, which affects the taste," marketing director for Starbucks Russia Lia Dovgun said, The Moscow Times reported Saturday.

The smoking ban, which is rare for a restaurant in Russia, has not stopped Starbucks from expanding in the country. Last month Starbucks opened its 50th restaurant in Russia.

The Times pointed out Starbucks has bent over backwards to fit into cultural niches. In China, it expanded its menu, because the Chinese prefer to eat while drinking coffee. In Greece, more cold drinks are offered, because of the hot weather.

In France, Belgian waffles are on the menu.

Carole Pucik, head of global communications for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said, "We're definitely not trying to change people's behaviors. We're offering something that's a different level of service: friendly service, very high-quality product and a comfortable place to relax."

Topics: Starbucks
© 2011 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
Protesters, police clash at NATO summit Notable deaths of 2012 2012 Billboard Music Awards
The 137th Preakness Stakes Annual Solar eclipse occurs in U.S. Chen Guangcheng arrives in the U.S.
Additional Business News Stories
1 of 29
FORT LAUDERDALE HOSTS FLEET WEEK
View Caption
Crew members of the USS Kearsarge, Bryane Ingram, Timothy Williams, Curtilious Ingram and Yosuf Hill (l to r) prepare for shore leave shortly after docking at Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on April 30, 2007. The Kearsarge and her crew will participate in Fleet Week USA as part of the McDonalds Air and Sea Show. (UPI Photo/Joe Marino-Bill Cantrell)
fark
Kids confusing detergent packs for candy ending up sick even quicker, yet have the whitest whites...
Legoland Florida sets Guinness world record for Dumbest Stunt Performed at a Theme Park Modeled...
Not really news: Woman kicked off plane. Fark: For wearing a T-shirt that said, "If I wanted the...
Mortician finds gunshot wound to the chest of a man that had been ruled to have died of natural...
Left babysitting 4-year-old while her mom, friend go to gym? Just tie her up in kitchen chair and...
Scientists pinpoint exact date of Christ's death. Resurrection still up for debate