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I'm starting to see the Seattle's Best Coffee machines (powered by Redbox, image[1]) replacing Starbucks stands inside grocery stores. The machines are way smal

I'm starting to see the Seattle's Best Coffee machines (powered by Redbox, image[1]) replacing Starbucks stands inside grocery stores. The machines are way smaller, cost less, and make more consistent coffee. They seem like the younger sister to the "Microsoft Starbucks" machine [2], which are apparently available to anyone buying 4 cases of beans per month. [1] https://lh3.ggpht.com/-0vJb6GbCYGs/Tn9dFJkPPUI/AAAAAAAAGtE/2_P60k8MNsw/s1600/IMG_0391.JPG https://lh3.ggpht.com/-0vJb6GbCYGs/Tn9dFJkPPUI/AAAAAAAAGtE/2... [2]https://blogs.msdn.com/cfs-filesystemfile.ashx/__key/communityserver-components-postattachments/00-01-13-40-71/MS-Starbucks.jpg https://blogs.msdn.com/cfs-filesystemfile.ashx/__key/communi...

damian2000 14y ago
Why is it Microsoft Starbucks? is it in the MS campus? Or running Windows?
- aaronbrethorst 14y ago
  I believe they were first introduced inside of Microsoft (in '05 or '06, I think). And it was a huge relief, too, let me tell you. They replaced these awful Farmer Brothers industrial-style coffee urns. You'd punch in your order (tall drip, decaf, etc.), and it would grind beans and brew your coffee all in about 20 seconds. They're quite spectacular.
  - stephengillie 14y ago
    They're a simply amazing blessing. You press 3 buttons (cup size, right or left coffee (right is always house blend), then "Start"), and a minute later you have delicious coffee. Anywhere on campus, any time of day or night. The machine does Short (8oz), or a Tall (12oz) which makes a beautiful latte in my 16oz cup with 4oz of milk.
mc32 14y ago
You probably already know this, but for those who don't Seattle's Best is a Starbucks company --they used to be the brand found in bookstores, when those were popular --now they seem to be the brand SBUX uses for in-store (substore) locations.
- seanmcdirmid 14y ago
  Seattle's Best started out as their own company that was then acquired by Starbucks in the 00's sometime. At around the time they were acquired, they became the cafe brand for Borders bookstore, and we all know how that worked out in the end :) B&N has always franchised Starbucks directly in their stores (or at least, for as long as I can remember).

damian2000 14y ago

Why is it Microsoft Starbucks? is it in the MS campus? Or running Windows?

aaronbrethorst 14y ago
I believe they were first introduced inside of Microsoft (in '05 or '06, I think). And it was a huge relief, too, let me tell you. They replaced these awful Farmer Brothers industrial-style coffee urns. You'd punch in your order (tall drip, decaf, etc.), and it would grind beans and brew your coffee all in about 20 seconds. They're quite spectacular.
- stephengillie 14y ago
  They're a simply amazing blessing. You press 3 buttons (cup size, right or left coffee (right is always house blend), then "Start"), and a minute later you have delicious coffee. Anywhere on campus, any time of day or night. The machine does Short (8oz), or a Tall (12oz) which makes a beautiful latte in my 16oz cup with 4oz of milk.

mc32 14y ago

You probably already know this, but for those who don't Seattle's Best is a Starbucks company --they used to be the brand found in bookstores, when those were popular --now they seem to be the brand SBUX uses for in-store (substore) locations.

seanmcdirmid 14y ago
Seattle's Best started out as their own company that was then acquired by Starbucks in the 00's sometime. At around the time they were acquired, they became the cafe brand for Borders bookstore, and we all know how that worked out in the end :) B&N has always franchised Starbucks directly in their stores (or at least, for as long as I can remember).