I'm a big fan of Starbucks as a customer. It isn't about the coffee for me (clearly!) so much as the whole experience, the "Third Place" concept. The design of the stores, the comfy chairs, the handfeel of the mugs, the quality of the free WiFi & power points, the opening hours, the lighting, the light jazz music that doesn't interfere with conversation.

If I found a local cafe that paid that much attention to the experience, I'd certainly apply there. But I find many small cafes focus only on the coffee product, but not how the customer feels about the product.