I love Starbucks coffee—it is quite difficult to find good European style coffee. Unfortunately, there are very few Starbucks competitors, and none of the competitors have the market coverage that Starbucks does. Peet’s, Seattle’s Best, and Java City all have comparable coffee—but have a limited number of locations. Furthermore, Starbucks bought out Seattle’s Best several years ago.
Most people who say they don’t like Starbucks coffee actually do not like dark roast coffee, which is Starbucks’ main product. Starbucks does make medium and light roast coffees, but people need to ask for it because they serve dark roast by default. I love dark roast coffee; to me, medium and light roasts have no flavor. Since Dunkin Donuts, McDonald’s, and the vast majority of other places that sell coffee sell medium or light roasts, I don’t get coffee there and do not consider them Starbucks’ competitors.
It is unfortunate that the CEO of Starbucks made the statement he did, even though he backed down right away and said that Starbucks respects all state and local laws on the subject. He needs a lesson on how to think before he says something like that that could alienate many of his customers.
Go down to N'awlins sometime and get some REAL coffee. The coffee importers and roasters there were cookin' coffee before Seattle was cleared from the forest. I have a good silent laugh whenever a Washingtonian brags about the "greatness" of Seattle coffee. Have some beignets while you're about it.