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Starbucks to Give Employees A Free Education Through ASU Online

Strabucks' expanded College Achievement Plan will offer semesterly reimbursement for four years at ASU online.

Starbucks announced it would be expanding its pre-existing College Achievement Program on Monday. The program will now offer a free four-year education for Starbucks' part-time and full-time employees. Before, the program only covered two years of college.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz says that he wants to do things that others haven't done before, and he thinks that this program will bring in more customers for the company. "Customers are going to make choices every single day not just on price but also with what companies have values to their own," Schultz said.

Brand expert Daniel Durbin believes this program will strengthen Starbuck's brand. "It’s a very smart move because it helps develop their brand as investing in their employees and being interested in their employees," he added.

And even smaller coffee shops support the program. Jessie Rubio, the owner of Smiles Cafe just off USC's campus, thinks the program is a great idea. He's also not worried about losing customers or employees from his own shop.

"To your every day consumer if you were to take a poll I don’t think there would be very many people who would say I’m here because it gives other people an education. I think they are going for the experience they offer," Rubio explained.

Smiles Cafe partners with many community groups around USC, and Rubio says they want their customers to feel like they are giving back to the surrounding community.

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