'Come together' on fiscal deal already: Starbucks boss

WASHINGTON  (AFP) - Starbucks stirred the political pot on Wednesday by urging its baristas to write "come together" on its cups as a way to pressure United States (US) lawmakers to compromise on a deal to avert a year-end fiscal crisis.

Starbucks chief executive Howard Schultz said the American coffee giant was recommending its first-ever message on the side of tall, grande and venti (small, medium and large) drinks sold at its Washington stores as a way to help break the capital's gridlock on the so-called "fiscal cliff".

"As many of you know, our elected officials in Washington DC have been unable to come together and compromise to solve the tremendously important, time-sensitive issue to fix the national debt," Mr Schultz said in a letter posted on the Starbucks website.

"Rather than be bystanders, we have an opportunity - and I believe a responsibility - to use our company's scale for good by sending a respectful and optimistic message to our elected officials to come together and reach common ground on this important issue."