- As large franchises are entering big cities, local businesses are being pushed out. In an effort to change this, a consulting firm is offering people $1,000 to buy coffee from local establishments for one month.
- But there's a catch: participants aren't allowed to get coffee from Starbucks and other large franchises.
- Partakers are also expected to track "important elements of their experiences such as cost, quality, customer service, and average wait time" on their social media networks.
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There is no doubt that over the years, small businesses have become increasingly under threat. Whether it's your local barbers, dry cleaners or coffee shop, our fast-paced lifestyles are also contributing to a shift in our consumer habits.
And the franchises keep rolling into big cities. Coffee chains, in particular, are on the rise, including well-known companies such as Starbucks, Tim Horton's, The Coffee Bean, Gloria Jean's Coffee and Dunkin' Donuts.
The globally recognized Starbucks is the best example of a franchise gone big. According to Statista, the coffee company has over 14,000 in the US alone — even outnumbering McDonald's chains in the country.
Read more: 5 sneaky ways Starbucks gets you to spend more money
In an effort to combat the chain-store reaction, an American consulting firm that focuses on small business, Business.org, is now offering $1,000 to anyone who is willing to buy coffee at only local establishments for a month and then share their experiences online. There's only one simple requirement: avoid Starbucks and other big coffee chains.
Business.org is looking for "self-professed Starbucks junkies" who will be tasked with visiting at least eight local coffee shops in a month, where they will track "important elements of their experiences such as cost, quality, customer service, and average wait time" on their social media networks.
The objective is to get people to drink more coffee in local shops and to support the local economy.
The $1,000 will be distributed in two installments: the first 25% will be paid in advance (which you can then use to subsidize these coffees), and at the end of the month, the remaining money will be sent.
To apply, you need to fill in a questionnaire with demographic location and reasons as to why you would be the ideal candidate, and it's only open to those eligible to work in the United States. Applications close on September 30.
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