📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

Starbucks CEO Launches Petition to End Government Shutdown Howard Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks, will give customers the opportunity to sign a petition calling for an end to the government shutdown.

By Lyneka Little

entrepreneur daily

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Ted S. Warren/AP Photo

Howard Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks, wants customers of the coffee chain to sign a petition to put government employees back to work.

On Thursday, the company announced plans to offer customers at its stores to sign a petition to halt the government shutdown.

"What has become clear to me over these past few days – aside from the continued dysfunction we see from our elected leaders – is the sad and striking realization that the American people have no platform with which to voice their frustration with Washington and the current stalemate that threatens our nation," Schultz wrote in a letter posted to the company website.

"The fact that the government's 'We the People' initiative website has shut down due to a lack of funding says everything about the irresponsible and untenable situation our political leadership has created across America," he continued.

Related: Starbucks' Free Coffee Promo Not Actually About Ending the Shutdown

The outspoken leader of the global coffee chain wrote that the petition will request that "congress reopen our government to serve the people, pay our debts on time to avoid another financial crisis, and pass a bipartisan and comprehensive long-term budget deal by the end of the year."

Customers can also visit http://www.cometogetherpetition.com/ to sign an online petition.

The CEO of Starbucks has been quite vocal in recent weeks. Earlier this week, Schultz penned an open letter calling for civility and leadership and encouraging discourse among politicians to "bring a solution to the current stalemate." In an effort to encourage people to work together, the popular coffee chain began offering a free cup of joe to anyone who buys a beverage for someone else.

Related: The 5 Restaurants Corporate Workers Expense the Most

Is a freelance writer in New York. She's written about personal finance and small business for such publications as The Wall Street Journal, MainStreet.com, Walletpop.com, People magazine. She also works as a freelance producer covering money at ABCNews.com. Little attended Howard University where she studied journalism. She loves drinking wine and tweeting, preferably at the same time. Follow Little on Twitter @Lyneka.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

These Coworkers-Turned-Friends Started a Side Hustle on Amazon — Now It's a 'Full Hustle' Earning Over $20 Million a Year: 'Jump in With Both Feet'

Achal Patel and Russell Gong met at a large consulting firm and "bonded over a shared vision to create a mission-led company."

Business News

These Are the 10 Most Profitable Cities for Airbnb Hosts, According to a New Report

Here's where Airbnb property owners and hosts are making the most money.

Side Hustle

How to Turn Your Hobby Into a Successful Business

A hobby, interest or charity project can turn into a money-making business if you know the right steps to take.

Productivity

Want to Be More Productive? Here's How Google Executives Structure Their Schedules

These five tactics from inside Google will help you focus and protect your time.

Starting a Business

This Couple Turned Their Startup Into a $150 Million Food Delivery Company. Here's What They Did Early On to Make It Happen.

Selling only online to your customers has many perks. But the founders of Little Spoon want you to know four things if you want to see accelerated growth.