Starbucks Corp. announced plans to close 600 stores this year, affecting 12,000 employees, or 7% of it’s total work force. The tough economy is hitting the company hard, as people are not splurging on expensive coffee drinks like they once were. MSN has more on the story here, and here.

The nice people at Jack In The Box have contacted me with details and press releases about two new products available this week.

First is the Iced Coffee — Made from a blend of French roast coffee, 2 percent milk and ice, Jack’s new Iced Coffee comes in three rich and delicious flavors - Original, Vanilla and Caramel. “Our new Iced Coffee is a great way to chill out on hot summer days” said Teka O’Rourke, director of menu marketing and promotions at Jack in the Box Inc. “And thanks to our convenient drive-thru, you won’t have to leave the comfort of your air-conditioned car to get one.”

Jack’s new Iced Coffee is available now, in both 16 and 24 ounce servings for the suggested prices, excluding tax, of $1.69 and $1.89, respectively, at all participating Jack in the Box restaurants.

Next is the new Kona Coffee Shake — A rich and creamy confection of real vanilla ice cream blended with the flavor of Kona coffee topped with a dollop of whipped topping and a maraschino cherry. “Jack in the Box is known as an innovator when it comes to shakes, and our new Kona Coffee version lives up to that tradition” said Teka O’Rourke, director of menu marketing and promotions at Jack in the Box Inc. “It has a sophisticated flavor that will appeal to shake and coffee fans alike.”

Jack’s new Kona Coffee Shake is available now, in both 16 and 24 ounce servings for the suggested prices, excluding tax, of $2.49 and $2.99, respectively.

The nice folks at Dunkin Donuts have contacted me about a new promotion featuring Free Iced-Coffee. Here’s the details: “Dunkin’s Donuts, the world’s largest coffee and baked goods chain, is celebrating FREE ICED COFFEE DAY from 10a.m. to 10p.m. on Thursday, May 15th. Customers can walk into any participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant throughout the country and receive a free 16 oz. cup of Dunkin’ Donuts’ premium regular, Berry Berry Iced Coffee, which combines the seasonal tastes of blueberry and raspberry with Dunkin’ Donuts’ award-winning coffee, or many other delicious flavors.

On Free Iced Coffee Day, Dunkin’ Donuts is honoring those who serve by donating $80,000 to the National Police Athletic League (NPAL) to support its Youth Leadership Program. The NPAL program supports more than 2 million underprivileged youth through education, sports and leadership opportunities, and stresses community service and peer leadership in more than 350 chapters across the country.”

Editor’s Note: For those not paying attention, this is the same day that McDonald’s is giving away Free Chicken Sandwiches, so if you time things correctly you can easily have two freebies in one day. God Bless America!