Starbucks computer glitch gave some people free drinks

Starbucks stores across the country were hit by a computer glitch Friday and some stores responded by giving away free drinks until the system was fixed.

A supervisor in a New York City Starbucks on Spring Street said they can’t ring up sales or accept credit cards. He declined to be identified.

A barista in a San Francisco Starbucks said they were closed because of the computer problem.

Delighted Starbucks fans were tweeting that some stores were giving away freebies until the computer problem could be fixed.

“Starbucks systems are down so I got my drink for free. Seems like all Starbucks are doing this. Be sure to tip the barista!” tweeted octopuscandy who lives in Los Angeles.

“the machines at Starbucks are down so they’re giving away free drinks. #you’rewelcome,” tweeted nicolemariko14 in Washington.

mackenziecrotty said the problem extended to Edmonton, Canada, tweeting, “apparently the servers at starbucks are down across canada so i just got free coffee.”

Starbucks did not immediately respond to calls and emails.

The computer glitch came on a day that Starbucks robust sales. The coffee chain said Friday that sales and profits for its fiscal second-quarter that were up nearly 20% from a year ago and ahead of Wall Street’s forecasts.