I remember when I was in Italy 2-3 yeras ago. I think that this concept do not work well in Italy. Italian people drink espresso near a counter. If you want sit down you pay something like fee (coretto) so ordynary Italian folks drink only espresso at couter. The concept of a coffeehouse (where people could sit) was establish more in Vienna. This is smothing completely strange for italian people. I think that this Starbucks concept do not make big impact in Italy (McDonalds case)