News Blog

2 min read

June 9, 2025

Back to Starbucks, Back to Us

Sarah H., Store Manager in Canada

I’ve been with Starbucks for over 17 years, and if there’s one thing that’s kept me here, it’s the people. The connections we build — with our partners, our customers, and each other — are what make this place feel like home. That’s why Leadership Experience (LE) is so special to me.

I went to my first LE in 2019, in Chicago. I didn’t know what to expect, but from the moment I got to the airport, I was surrounded by partners. We were strangers but instantly connected by the green apron. That first gathering — thousands of us in one space — was overwhelming in the best way. It was the first time I truly felt the scale of commitment to help us grow as people, not just as employees.

LE reminded me that I’m not just a store manager — I’m a partner too. It helped me see how I could show up differently for my team and my community. After LE19, we focused more on building relationships —with each other, with our customers, and with our neighborhood. That mindset carried us through the pandemic, when connection felt more important than ever.

Now, heading into LE25 in Las Vegas, I’m excited to reconnect with old friends, new peers and the heart of who we are. I’m looking forward to the stories, the coffee tastings and the shared moments that remind us why we do what we do. I know I’ll come back inspired, with fresh ideas and a renewed sense of purpose.

To any store manager attending for the first time: expect to feel seen. Expect to learn, to laugh, maybe even cry. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of what it means to lead at Starbucks—and how powerful it is when we rise together.

Because at the end of the day, LE isn’t just about leadership. It’s about coming back to who we are. Back to Starbucks. Back to us.

4 min read

June 4, 2025

Message from Brian: Organizational changes to accelerate Back to Starbucks

Starbucks chairman and chief executive officer, Brian Niccol, shared the following message with Starbucks partners (employee):

Partners,

As I shared during our last Quarterly Connect and, on the earnings call, our performance isn’t yet where we want it to be. We’re making the changes necessary to get back to Starbucks, and I’m encouraged by our progress. I feel the momentum in our coffeehouses, hear it from our partners and customers, and see it in the results of our pilots.

We’re on the right path, but we need to move faster. We’re making additional organizational changes to help bring teams closer together, strengthen leadership accountability and allow teams to move with even greater clarity and urgency.

Here are the changes:

Mike Grams will step into the role of chief operating officer. In addition to leading our North American coffeehouses, he will now oversee global coffeehouse development and global supply chain. Meredith Sandland, evp and chief development officer, and Sanjay Shah, evp and chief supply chain officer, will now report to Mike. I’m excited to bring these functions together and to see the impact of Meredith, Sanjay and Mike working more closely to elevate the design, build and operations of our coffeehouses and to deliver a world-class supply chain that empowers our green apron partners and delights our customers.
We’re bringing the Global Coffee and Sustainability team and the Global Brand team together. Coffee is at the heart of Starbucks, and this change will further cement coffee at the core of our menu, product innovation and marketing. It will also help us further embed sustainability in our products, packaging and operations. Michelle Burns, evp, Global Coffee and Sustainability will report to Tressie Lieberman, evp, global chief brand officer.
Deb Hall Lefevre, evp, chief technology officer, will now report to Cathy Smith, evp, chief financial officer. Delivering world class technology that enables our partners to craft high-quality beverages and spend more meaningful time with customers is a priority. It’s an important area of investment and I know that working together Deb and Cathy will help us accelerate this work.

Deb, Meredith, Michelle and Sanjay will continue to serve on our Executive Leadership Team (ELT), alongside my direct reports: Brady Brewer (ceo, International), Dominic Carr (evp, chief communications and corporate affairs officer), Mike Grams (chief operating officer), Sara Kelly (evp, chief partner officer), Brad Lerman (evp, chief legal officer), Tressie Lieberman (evp, global chief brand officer), Molly Liu (ceo, China), Cathy Smith (evp, chief financial officer).

Separately, Brad Lerman, evp, chief legal officer, and I have been talking about what makes sense for him and for our legal team and Brad will be leaving Starbucks in the coming months. We’re beginning a search for a new chief legal officer, and Brad will both assist with the search and continue to lead our legal team until a successor is in place. We’ll recognize Brad’s contributions to Starbucks before he leaves but for now, I’ll just say how much I appreciate everything he’s done and the wise counsel he offers me, the board and leaders across the company.

Across our U.S. coffeehouses, the SSC and around the world we’ve driven significant change in the last few months. We’re getting back to Starbucks. I deeply appreciate all the work everyone is doing. We’re refocusing on the customer, supporting our green apron partners and acting like owners. We’re testing, learning and moving quickly. I’m confident these organizational changes will help us go even faster.

On we go,

Brian

1 min read

June 4, 2025

Announcing Starbucks Global Barista Championship

In celebration of Starbucks baristas who embody our commitment to community, connection and craft, for the first time in company history Starbucks will host the Starbucks Global Barista Championship in Las Vegas, June 9-11. This is a significant milestone in Starbucks company history – where our shared love for serving the world’s finest coffee will be center stage, brought to you by some of Starbucks most skilled baristas.

The Starbucks Global Barista Championship is the culmination of regional competitions spanning over a year where more than 84,000 baristas competed for the chance to participate in the global championship. The 12 contestants are the 2024 regional Barista Champions from China, Japan, EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America/Caribbean, as well as the six Barista Champions from each of the Starbucks Reserve Roasteries. During the competition, baristas will lead coffee tastings, craft beverages, share coffee knowledge and stories of connection as they compete to be crowned the first Starbucks Global Barista Champion.

Get to know the contestants and learn more about the three-day competition – including how to watch the event live.

2 min read

May 30, 2025

Starbucks Iced Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso is already the drink of the summer

Starbucks newest seasonal beverage, the Iced Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, is quickly becoming a breakout hit.

Launched in cafes on May 20, the drink has outperformed all previous seasonal Iced Shaken Espresso beverages launches by a staggering 44% – a notable milestone for a beverage platform that’s only been around since 2022.

“Summer and Starbucks go hand-in-hand,” said Tressie Lieberman, Starbucks global chief brand officer. “Our fans are crazy for the new Iced Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, so we are seeing success continuing to build for the platform with much more innovation possible.”

The beverage is made with Starbucks® Blonde Espresso which provides a light, smooth, and subtly sweet profile that pairs well with the new horchata syrup to create a fusion of warm cinnamon, sweet vanilla flavor and subtle nutty notes of toasted rice flavors shaken together with ice and topped with oatmilk. 

Starbucks Iced Shaken Oatmilk Espresso on a beige background

Ricky Gonzalez, one of the minds behind the new beverage, says the flavor is versatile. “The Iced Shaken Espresso combines the horchata flavor with our beautiful Starbucks ® Blonde Espresso, and the Horchata flavor is also delicious in a matcha latte or Frappuccino® blended beverage. There’s a lot of ways to enjoy this new flavor.” 

Starbucks is unveiling some of those new ways to explore the flavor via the “not-so-secret menu” broadcast channel on Instagram including Iced Matcha Latte (The recipe (for a venti) is Iced Matcha Latte, No Classic, 1 Pump of Vanilla Syrup, 4 Pumps of Horchata Syrup, Horchata Cream Cold Foam, Cinnamon Powder) and Iced Chai Latte (The recipe (for a grande) is Iced Chai Latte, 1 Pump Horchata, 3 Pumps Chai, Cinnamon Powder, Strawberry Cream Cold Foam) Fans can visit to Starbucks official Instagram profile and tap the link in the headline to order these beverages.

1 min read

May 28, 2025

Apply to be a Starbucks Global Coffee Creator

We’re looking for two coffee-obsessed storytellers to travel the world and capture the craft that goes into every cup of Starbucks coffee

Beginning May 28, the search for two Starbucks Global Coffee Creators is on! We’re looking for two talented content creators, one current Starbuck partner (employee) and one external candidate, who are passionate about Starbucks, coffee, culture and community.

Their job will be to capture their journeys to unique Starbucks locations around the world on social media – from Starbucks Hacienda Alsacia coffee farm in Costa Rica to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery Milano to the breathtaking coffeehouses in Tokyo. The creators will highlight the care and craft that goes into every cup of Starbucks coffee as well as the diverse Starbucks experiences in communities around the world.

These are paid, full-time, 12-month roles, with travel costs for the creator covered and travel support provided by Delta Air Lines and Marriott Bonvoy. 

2 min read

May 12, 2025

How Starbucks is building the most valuable college benefit in retail

Sara Kelly, chief partner officer

More than 1,100 Starbucks partners are graduating from Arizona State University (ASU) today through the Starbucks College Achievement Plan (SCAP). I have the honor of cheering them on in Tempe, AZ this morning — and celebrating thousands more across the country as they turn their dreams into degrees.

While most employer education benefits cap out at $5,250 a year, limit degree options, or require years of service after earning the degree, SCAP stands apart – offering 100% upfront tuition coverage for a first-time bachelor’s degree online at Arizona State University, with no strings attached. Partners can apply from day one, even when they work part-time, and choose from over 150 degree options. For those who need extra support, ASU provides academic advisors, enrollment coaches, and even pathways for those who don’t initially qualify.

Not only is SCAP one of the most valuable college benefits, but widely used too.

16,000+ graduates and 26,000+ currently participating

13% of our U.S. workforce is participating — 6x Fortune 500 average

Participation is up 60% in the last five years

Nearly 90% of U.S. stores have at least one SCAP scholar

SCAP partners are promoted at higher rates than their peers — building careers at Starbucks and beyond

70% report landing a job they weren’t previously qualified for

This isn’t just a benefit – it’s an investment in our collective future. From competitive pay and benefits like SCAP, company stock and industry-leading paid parental leave benefits, to our goal to hire 90% of retail leadership roles from within, we’re making Starbucks the unrivaled best job in retail. Because when partners feel supported and valued, they bring that care and connection to every cup they serve.

To our graduates: your hard work, resilience, and ambition inspire us all. Congratulations — and here’s to the next chapter!

1 min read

April 29, 2025

Early momentum on our “Back to Starbucks” strategy, with customers at the core

Earlier today, we announced Starbucks Q2 FY25 earnings results. You can hear directly from our chairman and ceo, Brian Niccol, here and see our full results here.

Seven months into our “Back to Starbucks” journey, we’ve moved quickly to put our customers at the center of all we do and the momentum we’re seeing gives us confidence in the path ahead. We have the right leaders and the right strategy in place. We’re testing and learning at speed and seeing changes that let us know we’re making the right investments to unlock opportunities ahead.

Our partners are leading a green wave of hospitality, with a customer-focused culture. These moments of connection, combined with the improvements we’ve made to enhance the coffeehouse experience, are giving customers a reason to sit and stay.

We’re improving speed-of-service, throughput, and connection with the right staffing and deployment. And our new marketing is resonating with customers.

This progress is a testament to the power of the Starbucks brand and our green apron partners who are leading our comeback.

Here are key highlights in case you missed it:

Infographic highlighting improvements in customer experience and partner satisfaction at Starbucks, with statistics on service time and order efficiency.

2 min read

April 25, 2025

Our ongoing commitment to fair bargaining

Our commitment is to ensuring Starbucks is the best place to work for every partner (employee) and is the unrivaled best job in retail.

This week, despite nearly 200 hours of negotiations and more than 130 proposals exchanged, Workers United made the decision to present an incomplete framework for single-store contracts to their delegates to vote on, effectively undermining our collective progress. The union’s actions, unfortunately, only cause further delay in reaching a mutual agreement on the path forward.

At Starbucks, we offer equity grants to retail partners, and we were the first major retailer to provide health benefits for full and part-time work and covers 100% of tuition for partners pursuing a four-year degree. We recently invested over $3 billion in the partner experience, including wages and benefits. The average pay for hourly partners is now over $19, and with benefits, it is worth over $30 per hour.

No other retailer offers such a comprehensive package. Starbucks is the industry leader in terms of total pay and benefits which far exceed retail industry norms. At Starbucks, our store labor costs as a percentage of sales are notably higher than others in the industry, because we have consistently invested in pay and benefits over many years. Any agreement we reach needs to reflect the reality that we already provide the best job in retail.

Starbucks remains optimistic that, through productive compromise and respectful dialogue, we can finalize a contract that is fair and equitable. A strong and successful Starbucks is in the interest of every partner.

2 min read

April 24, 2025

Reaffirming Starbucks dedication to ethically sourced coffee

Michelle Burns, evp global coffee & sustainability

Our pledge to farming communities through C.A.F.E. Practices

Starbucks has a long-standing commitment to ethical sourcing and the well-being of coffee farmers and workers. A recent complaint concerning coffee sourcing from Brazil’s coffee cooperatives calls that commitment into question – a matter you can imagine we don’t take lightly.

For me, and I’m sure for many partners, this feels personal. And it is. Because we continually strive for our ethical sourcing program to be best-in-class. And because the tradition of great coffee is what has set us apart for more than 50 years. Our commitment to build a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future for coffee is unwavering.

The claims asserted in the complaint about Starbucks are without merit, and we plan to vigorously defend our company. More specifically, the reporting mischaracterizes and misunderstands Starbucks coffee supply chain.

Here is what you need to know

At Starbucks, we have visibility into our coffee supply chain, which means we know which farms around the world supply the coffee we love. In this case, we know we purchase coffee from only a small fraction of the more than 19,000 coffee farms that are members of the cooperative referenced in the complaint. That is because only a small fraction of those farms are Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices verified, and we only buy from farms that have this verification.

Over time, and with intention, we have audited farms, assessed outcomes, and continuously enhanced our auditing standards and practices to be among the toughest in the industry.

C.A.F.E. Practices is a verification program, not a one-time certification system. When Starbucks is notified of alleged violations of our ethical sourcing standards, we take immediate and appropriate action, which may include terminating our relationship with that supplier.

We will continue to maintain our commitments in regions where we source coffee across the globe – even when it’s hard – because it is the right thing to do.

Read more about our approach to ethically sourcing coffee here.

Michelle Burns
evp, global coffee & sustainability  

2 min read

April 22, 2025

Celebrating our progress this Earth Month

Marika McCauley Sine, chief sustainability officer

When you fill your cup at Starbucks, you’re not just getting the world’s finest coffee – you’re contributing to a more sustainable future. Here’s a look at how our efforts are helping protect our planet:

Sustainable coffee innovation: Our network of 10 Farmer Support Centers around the world are testing and scaling innovative practices like eco-mills that conserve water, smart composting that reduces waste, and distributing millions of climate resilient coffee seedlings. These actions help farmers increase productivity and profitability, while building their climate resilience. They’re a critical part of how we are working to secure the future of coffee for all, starting at the first 10 feet.

A more sustainable coffeehouse experience: More customers and partners (employees) are enjoying ceramic mugs, glasses and reusable personal cups, and this year, we are on track to verify 10,000 stores for meeting rigorous sustainability standards. These stores save us over $60 million in operating costs annually with 30% water savings and 30% energy reduction. This year, we’re also recognizing five of these stores for their unique and dedicated efforts – congratulations to the many partners (employees) driving this success!

General Booth & Nimmo, Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Inside of General Booth and Nimmo Starbucks store

Ahau Tulum, Mexico

Inside of Ahau Tulum Starbucks Store in Mexico

Kampot ‘Fish Market,’ Cambodia

Inside of Kampot Fish Market Starbucks store in Cambodia with efficient fixtures

Kyoto Kuze Store, Japan

Inside of Kyoto Kuze Starbucks Store in Japan

Shanghai Disney Resort, China

Good stewards in our communities: Our environmental actions make a difference at scale in our communities. Whether through our 10-year track record of using 100% renewable electricity across all our US and Canada stores, availability of onsite or nearby EV chargers at more than 1,000 of our coffeehouses, or boosting recycling access for our cups through the NextGen Consortium, our actions catalyze broader positive impact. An inspiring recent example is our support for the first major, successful community-wide trial of reusable cups in Petaluma, California.

Thank you to our partners around the world for your passion, hard work, and dedication. Together, let’s keep learning and taking action to make an even more positive impact on our communities and planet.

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