Part 6/13:
During the 2008 financial crisis, Schultz returned, emphasizing the importance of restoring Starbucks’ core identity as a third place. He famously shut down all U.S. stores for a day to retrain baristas and upgrade machines, and the company re-emphasized its commitment to quality and community. These measures paid off, and Starbucks once again appeared profitable and resilient, cementing its position as the leader in coffee.