David and Tom Gardner recently interviewed Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX) Chairman Howard Schultz on The Motley Fool Radio Show on NPR. This is the last of five parts.
TMF: We will close with our game, "Buy, Sell, or Hold." You have played it before. I am going to ask you about things happening in the world or the business world and ask you, "Howard, if they were stocks, buy, sell, or hold right now, and a sentence as to why. You ready?
Schultz: I am afraid of this game.
TMF: (Laughing.) We always have fun with it. Everybody is a little bit afraid. I am even afraid of it. Here is the first one up. It is something we have noticed in our local Starbucks. Buy, sell, or hold allowing Starbucks employees to put out a tip jar?
Schultz: I think you have got to buy that because that is a good thing for our people, and there is not a sense of entitlement to it. I think if customers want to reward our people, that is a good thing.
TMF: Seattle has a progressive reputation and [Ralph Nader] bills himself as a progressive candidate. Buy, sell, or hold the likelihood that Nader will have a significant impact on this year's presidential election?
Schultz: I think, unfortunately, that is a buy.
TMF: Buy, sell, or hold the future of the Martha Stewart brand.
Schultz: I think that is a hold. I think there are a lot of unanswered questions and I do know Martha and I wouldn't count her out.
TMF: You respect Martha?
Schultz: Yes, very much.
TMF: Coffee and coffee drink-vending machines are big in Japan but haven't yet caught on here. Buy, sell, or hold the possibility that we might see Starbucks vending machines?
Schultz: That is a buy.
TMF: From the man himself, I will take that seriously. Howard Schultz is the chairman of Starbucks. Howard, thank you very much for joining us once again on The Motley Fool Radio Show.
Schultz: It is always a pleasure. I appreciate it.
