NEW YORK — Starbucks, known for its piping hot coffee, is throwing itself in the middle of yet another heated national debate.

The world’s biggest coffee chain said Thursday that it will ask customers and businesses to sign a petition calling for an end to the partial government shutdown that has forced hundreds of thousands of federal workers off the job.

The petition, which will be available at all Starbucks 11,000 U.S. locations to sign beginning today, calls for reopening the government, paying debts on time and passing a long-term budget deal by the end of the year.

“It’s always risky when brands mix politics and business,” said Allen Adamson, managing director of the New York-based branding firm Landor Associates. “But the benefit for Starbucks likely outweighs the risk.”