Starbucks' PR Crisis May Be Getting Worse

For a long time, Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX)has billed itself as a "third place" for customers -- a place aside from the home and workplace where they can feel welcome. However, that notion came under assault just weeks ago when two black men were arrested for "trespassing" in a Philadelphia Starbucks as they refused to order anything, though they were waiting for a friend in the cafe.

The two men were detained for nine hours, and the news sparked outrage and calls for boycotts against the coffee chain.