Starbucks Asks for a Year of Rent Relief for Its Corporate Stores | Eater

"A major multinational coffee retailer asked landlords of its roughly 9,000 company-owned U.S. stores for a year’s worth of rent forgiveness after earnings dropped sharply. An internal email framed the request as support for modified operations and adjustments to lease terms and base rent structures to help the business withstand uncertainty, and the company’s CFO said they are discussing what might be commercially reasonable lease concessions. The appeal has reportedly been met with backlash from many landlords, and critics argue the move looks tone-deaf coming from a multibillion-dollar corporation while independent restaurateurs continue to struggle to pay rent." - Jaya Saxena