KIRO NEWSRADIO OPINION

Jake Skorheim has vindictive message for Starbucks CEO

Apr 26, 2025, 5:04 AM

Starbucks Sign...

A Starbucks Coffee sign on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Houston. (Photo: Ashley Landis, AP)

(Photo: Ashley Landis, AP)

Many people believe that tipping culture has gotten out of control.

Jake Skorheim, co-host of “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio, had a Thursday morning encounter at Starbucks that left him steaming. It started when he was cut off at the drive-thru.

“I’m across the way. This guy drives in. He sees me waiting there, and the Starbucks line starts moving, and he just swoops in. This is at the Lake Stevens Starbucks, he swoops in, and my blood, my blood just is already boiling, and I’m already very upset,” Jake shared.

When Jake got up to the window, he was given an option to tip before putting his card in, leading to his message for the Starbucks CEO:

“Brian Niccol, I have a message for you,” he said. “I like what you’re doing at Starbucks. I like that you’re revamping and you want it to be a family-friendly place where people can come in and just enjoy a good cup of coffee. I like that you’ve gotten rid of a bunch of the stupid stuff, like the olive oils and everything.

“Change the tipping culture. It’s gone too far before I even get my food. They’re shoving a thing in my face saying, how much extra money? Like, why would I tip $3 on $12 the stellar amount of service that you would have for me to do a 30% tip would have to be so over the top, but especially for somebody who’s literally just a middle person handing me my food. I’m watching this person. They’re not making anything, they’re not doing anything. They’re just handing me my food, a drip coffee. Genius. How did you do that? Three bucks? Ridiculous,” he continued.

What is Jake’s next move?

“I’m actually thinking about a Starbucks strike until they stop doing this,” Jake said. “I don’t know if I’m the only one who’s gonna do it, but I’m thinking about never going there again until they stop, like, begging for tips.”

Listen to the full conversation below:

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

KIRO Newsradio Opinion

transgender athlete charged wrestling...

John Curley Show

Principal, athletic coordinator charged after waiting 53 days to report wrestler’s sexual assault allegation against transgender athlete

Two coaches with Rogers High School were charged after failing to comply with Washington's mandatory reporting law after a high school female wrestler alleged a biological male sexually assaulted her during a match.

5 hours ago

primary ballot august...

Charlie Harger

Harger: My primary ballot is sitting on my microwave. If a politics nerd is cramming, the August primary isn’t working

We moved primaries from September to August in 2008 to give election officials more time to process mail-in ballots. That made logistical sense. For actually getting people to vote, it's a flop.

7 hours ago

tiny home village (1)...

John Curley Show

‘I’ve seen our drug crisis worsen’: KIRO host says people who refuse shelter should face consequences as Capitol Hill gets first tiny home village

As Capitol Hill is set to get its first tiny home village, KIRO fill-in host Angela Poe Russell and KIRO host Spike O'Neill both voiced their support.

19 hours ago

shoplifting washington retail theft...

Charlie Harger

Harger: Washington leads the nation in retail theft. Vancouver’s answer is to stop citing shoplifters. What could go wrong?

A study ranked us No. 1 among the states for retail theft impact. No. 1. Out of 50. The study found Washington had 48% more reported retail theft than our share of the national population would predict.

1 day ago

food safety wa disease...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘I’m not liking the way we’re trending’: Hosts debate growing their own food amid safety fears

Explore the growing trend of homegrown food in response to safety fears and the Cyclosporiasis outbreak.

2 days ago

WA income tax lawsuit mckenna millionaires fafsa...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

‘It’s confusing by nature’: Jake, Spike back lawsuit over misleading language on WA’s income tax repeal

Jake and Spike back lawsuit over WA's income tax repeal initiative's confusing language ahead of November ballot.

2 days ago

Jake Skorheim has vindictive message for Starbucks CEO