News Blog

4 min read

September 25, 2025

Message from Brian: An important update

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

Partners,

I’m grateful for the work everyone is doing to put world-class customer service at the center of everything we do and focus on creating an elevated Starbucks experience for every customer, every time.

While we’re making good progress, there is much more to do to build a better, stronger, and more resilient Starbucks. As we approach the beginning of our new fiscal year, I’m sharing two decisions we’ve made in support of our Back to Starbucks plan. Both are grounded in putting our resources closest to the customer so we can create great coffeehouses, offer world-class customer service, and grow the business.

Changes to some of our coffeehouses

First, I shared earlier this year that we were carefully reviewing our North America coffeehouse portfolio through the additional lens of our Back to Starbucks plan. Our goal is for every coffeehouse to deliver a warm and welcoming space with a great atmosphere and a seat for every occasion.

During the review, we identified coffeehouses where we’re unable to create the physical environment our customers and partners expect, or where we don’t see a path to financial performance, and these locations will be closed.

Each year, we open and close coffeehouses for a variety of reasons, from financial performance to lease expirations. This is a more significant action that we understand will impact partners and customers. Our coffeehouses are centers of the community, and closing any location is difficult.

To put it into context: Since we’ve already opened numerous coffeehouses over the past year, our overall company-operated count in North America will decline by about 1% in fiscal year 2025 after accounting for both openings and closures.

We will end the fiscal year with nearly 18,300 total Starbucks locations – company operated and licensed – across the U.S. and Canada. In fiscal year 2026, we’ll grow the number of coffeehouses we operate as we continue to invest in our business. Over the next 12 months, we also plan to uplift more than 1,000 locations to introduce greater texture, warmth, and layered design.

Partners in coffeehouses scheduled to close will be notified this week. We’re working hard to offer transfers to nearby locations where possible and will move quickly to help partners understand what opportunities might be available to them.

For those we can’t immediately place, we’re focused on partner care including comprehensive severance packages. We also hope to welcome many of these partners back to Starbucks in the future as new coffeehouses open and the number of partners in each location grows.

Reducing non-retail partner roles

Second, we’re further reducing non-retail headcount and expenses. This includes the difficult decision to eliminate approximately 900 current non-retail partner roles and close many open positions.

As we build toward a better Starbucks, we’re investing in green apron partner hours, more partners in stores, exceptional customer service, elevated coffeehouse designs, and innovation to create the future. We will continue to carefully manage costs and stay focused on the key areas that drive long-term growth.

Non-retail partners whose roles are being eliminated will be notified tomorrow morning (Friday). We will offer generous severance and support packages including benefits extensions.

Unless your job specifically requires you to be on site in the office, we’re asking you to work from home today and tomorrow.

What’s next

These steps are to reinforce what we see is working and prioritize our resources against them. Early results from coffeehouse uplifts show customers visiting more often, staying longer, and sharing positive feedback. Where we’ve invested in more green apron partner hours so that there are more partners working at busy times, we saw improvements in transactions, sales, and service times, alongside happier, more engaged partners.

I know these decisions impact our partners and their families, and we did not make them lightly. I believe these steps are necessary to build a better, stronger, and more resilient Starbucks that deepens its impact on the world and creates more opportunities for our partners, suppliers, and the communities we serve.

To those partners who will be leaving, I want to say a profound thank you. To those continuing on our turnaround journey, I deeply appreciate your commitment to helping us get back to Starbucks.

Brian

2 min read

September 25, 2025

Seattle Is Our Hometown

Seattle isn’t just where Starbucks began, it’s where our story was written – cup by cup, conversation by conversation. From the cobblestones of Pike Place Market to the neighborhoods that shaped our culture, this city has been our compass. That’s why today’s news is especially difficult.

As part of getting Back to Starbucks, we’ve looked at every coffeehouse in North America to see if each can deliver the kind of experience our partners and customers deserve, and thrive long term. In some cases, across the U.S. and Canada, the answer was no. In our hometown, that means closing some locations, including our Seattle Roastery on Capitol Hill and Starbucks Reserve in SoDo.

These decisions were not made lightly. We know these stores are more than places to grab coffee – they’re part of daily routines, meeting spots, and memory-makers. We’re providing comprehensive support for partners who are impacted.

Over time, we’ll invest in new coffeehouses and uplift existing ones. We’re doubling down on what makes a Starbucks coffeehouse special – a warm atmosphere, a welcoming seat, and a sense of belonging.

We’re also continuing to serve the Seattle community in ways that go beyond coffee:

Together with The Starbucks Foundation, we’ve supported organizations in Washington with millions of dollars contributed through grants, sponsorships, and in-kind support.
Through our FoodShare partnership with Northwest Harvest, we’ve donated more than 1.5 million meals to those in need.
This year alone, our partners have volunteered more than 16,000 hours with more than 700 local organizations, supported by Starbucks matching.
Our hometown partnerships – with the Seahawks, Mariners, Sounders, Reign, Storm, Kraken, UW, and more – continue to build connection and pride across the region.

We’re proud of our past, and focused on the future. A future where Starbucks is stronger, more resilient, and more deeply rooted in the communities we serve – including our hometown of Seattle. To our partners, customers, and neighbors: thank you for being part of this journey. We’re still here, still yours, and we’re just getting started.

2 min read

September 16, 2025

Starbucks champions the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Team USA as Official Coffee Partner

Tressie lieberman, global chief brand officer

Today marks an exciting milestone for Starbucks — one that celebrates community and dreaming big. I’m thrilled to share that Starbucks – for the first time ever – will be the Official Coffee Partner of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Team USA.

A year ago, we made a commitment to get Back to Starbucks, focusing on what has always set our company apart, being a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather. There is no better way to do that than by showing up where connection, community and inspiration thrive.

At the LA28 Games, we will offer thousands of athletes unique coffeehouse activations in the Olympic and Paralympic Village, designed to spark connection and community. Beyond the Village, we’ll be proudly serving Starbucks coffee at competition venues, volunteer hubs and other key locations—keeping athletes, fans and volunteers going from early morning training sessions to podium celebrations.

Starbucks will bring those moments to life through the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement even sooner than the LA28 Games. Through our partnership with Team USA and NBCUniversal, Starbucks will enable athlete storytelling during the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, with access to premium storytelling opportunities.

And our support for athletes goes beyond the Games. Through the Starbucks Elite Athlete Program, we’re thrilled to champion elite athletes, who are Starbucks partners, on their journey, both in and out of competition. That includes U.S. Paralympic gold medalist Rebecca Hart, who proudly represents Team USA and wears the green apron.

In many ways, the Olympics and Paralympics are the world’s third place, where people come together and find community, just as customers do every day in our coffeehouses around the world. This partnership is a representation of our mission to inspire and nurture the human spirit — one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time.

3 min read

September 16, 2025

Customer names and messages on orders

Updated: 9/17/25 3pm PDT

In response to online discussion about our policy for customer names on orders, we wanted to provide the facts and share some background.

Starbucks is a company built on human connection. Having a name, rather than a number, attached to a customer order has been a core part of the Starbucks coffeehouse experience for decades. Most customers use their own name. And when a customer wants to use a different name — including the name Charlie Kirk — when ordering their drink in our café, we aim to respect their preference.

Over the years, we have had instances where some people have tried to abuse the system. For example, they’ve provided something that isn’t a name at all, but rather a political slogan with the aim of having our barista shout it out as they hand off the finished drink. And in some cases, as their “name,” they have provided words that are sexually explicit or otherwise offensive.

We aim to be a community coffeehouse where everyone feels welcome, so we have previously provided guidance to our partners to respectfully ask the customer to use a different name when attempting to use political slogans or phrases in place of their name. We are clarifying with our team now that names, on their own, can be used by customers on their café order, as they wish.

We believe handwritten notes on our cups are a meaningful way for our baristas to connect with customers. We have clear policies that prohibit political slogans or negative messages to help preserve a welcoming environment. In the event we receive a report that a message doesn’t comply with our policy, we carefully review each case. We know that neither we, nor our customers, get it right every time.

We also know the markers we use to write on cups are accessible to anyone. And therefore, notes can be easily added to a cup by others after the drink has been handed off by our baristas.

We’ve reviewed recent social media posts alleging that critical comments were written on Starbucks cups. Our investigation, which included a review of timestamped in-store video footage, confirms that in the cases shared so far, the comments were not written by a Starbucks partner. They appear to have been added after the beverage was handed off, likely by someone else.

Hundreds of thousands of Starbucks partners in tens of thousands of coffeehouses work hard every day to take care of millions of customers who come through our doors. And in millions of interactions every day, our dedicated baristas get it right. But in any instance where there may be a misunderstanding or where we don’t meet the mark, we’ll work to learn what happened and address any issues quickly.

We are committed to creating a welcoming space where every customer can enjoy a great cup of coffee served by a friendly barista. And we hope our customers visit us with the same positive intent. Thank you for being a part of the Starbucks community.

An Update from Starbucks

9/16/25 8pm PDT

In response to some conversations on social media Starbucks shared the following:

There are no restrictions on customers using Charlie Kirk’s name on their order, and we are following up with our team.

3 min read

September 11, 2025

5 things to know about the new Starbucks in the iconic Bernabéu Stadium

Passion for coffee, passion for Madrid — that’s the heart of the new Starbucks® Bernabéu, a flagship store unlike anything Spain has seen before. This immersive coffee destination, which opened on Aug. 14, is set inside the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home to the football club Real Madrid, and offers a sensory experience that blends coffee artistry, local culture and architectural innovation.

A modern interior featuring a wide staircase with wooden steps and a sleek railing. The space has warm lighting, plants, and a coffee bar in the background.

A modern interior space featuring a curved wall with artistic designs, wooden furniture, and greenery. Soft lighting enhances the ambiance.

Here are five things you should know about this extraordinary new space:

 #1 It’s Spain’s first Starbucks flagship store — and it’s huge

With almost 10,000 square feet spread across two floors, this is Starbucks Spain’s first-ever flagship store, operated by Alsea. It’s designed to be a premium experience, offering exclusive products and events not available anywhere else in the country. From mixology stations to immersive coffee journeys, this store is a destination in itself.

#2  It’s an immersive experience

Upon entering, guests are greeted by a digital arch that transforms the journey of coffee, from bean to cup, into a captivating immersive work of art. It sets the tone for the experience ahead: one rooted in tradition yet elevated through innovation.

The 3D installation is more than a tribute to coffee: it is also a tribute to Madrid. The iconic elements of the city appear through wisps of steam and digital brushstrokes, celebrating the light, rhythm and soul of Madrid. It’s a love letter to the city that is now home to this one-of-a-kind Starbucks.

Creativity is also celebrated in the abstract, layered sculpture that hangs from the store’s atrium, a creative interpretation of the Starbucks Siren by Madrid-based artist Cristina Mejías.

 #3 Our partners take center stage

We continue to bet on talent and customer experience with the incorporation of 65 new coffee specialists in our flagship store who will serve Real Madrid fans and share their coffee expertise with the world.

Several of the Starbucks Bernabéu partners are Coffee Masters who have competed in international championships or grown their knowledge visiting coffee farms through the Starbucks Origin Experience. These Coffee Masters lead personalized sessions and exclusive events, turning every visit into a deeper journey into the world of coffee.

#4 You can explore coffee mixology

One of the store’s standout features is a dedicated mixology area, where coffee meets creativity. Guests can explore the art and science of cocktail creation, blending coffee with imaginative ingredients to craft unique drinks. It’s a bold step into coffee innovation, designed to surprise and delight.

 #5 It offers unmatched views of Bernabéu Stadium

Whether you’re sipping a Reserve coffee or relaxing in one of the thoughtfully designed seating zones, the views of the stadium are unforgettable. The upper level includes lounge areas, a tasting room and a mural celebrating Madrid’s floral beauty — all framed by the energy of one of the world’s most iconic sports arenas.

With 222 stores across Iberia and nearly 2,800 partners, Starbucks continues to grow its footprint and deepen its roots in Spain. The Bernabéu flagship store marks a bold new chapter — one where coffee, art and Madrid come together in a truly unforgettable way.

2 min read

September 8, 2025

Message from Brian: Green Apron Service, one month in

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

Partners,

Last week, we celebrated a record-breaking Fall launch. Today, I want to recognize another milestone. We’re one month into the nationwide rollout of Green Apron Service, and the momentum is building in our coffeehouses.

We built Green Apron Service with our green apron partners, and it’s grounded in what you told us you need and what works. It includes more store level ownership, more partner hours, larger rosters, Smart Queue technology, five key moments and coffeehouse walks. It’s already helping us deliver better throughput in the morning and through the balance of day, while creating more time for customer connection and service. 

Customers are noticing the difference in every way they access Starbucks — in cafes, in the drive thru and via mobile orders. Partners are telling us it’s making their jobs more focused and more fulfilling. It’s the Starbucks experience at its best, and we are on our way to reclaiming being the world’s greatest customer experience. 

Since launching our “Back to Starbucks” plan, we have walked the talk. We’ve doubled paid parental leave, committed to filling 90% of retail leadership roles internally, expanded Assistant Store Manager roles and invested $500 million in additional partner hours with Green Apron Service. These investments are driving record-low turnover, record-high shift completion, more consistent hours for partners and a growing number of partners recommending Starbucks as a great place to work. 

Thanks for all you do. Together, we’re building a culture of excellence, customer service and opportunity that makes Starbucks the best job in retail. Let’s keep the green wave going.

On we go,

Brian

4 min read

September 2, 2025

Starbucks Goes all in on Protein: Announces Arrival of New Protein Lattes and Protein Cold Foam to the Menu on Sept. 29

Customers will soon be able to add approximately 15–36 grams of protein per grande beverage to their Starbucks visit

New protein beverages drive Back to Starbucks menu modernization strategy

Starting Sept. 29, Starbucks coffeehouses in the U.S. and Canada will offer Protein Cold Foam alongside new line of Protein Lattes made with Protein-boosted Milk delivering approximately 15 to 36 grams of protein per grande (16 ounce) beverage. These new protein beverages are part of the company’s strategy to drive innovation and modernize its menu.

“As we continue to get back to Starbucks, we’re focused on modernizing our menu with innovative, relevant, and hype-worthy products that will resonate with our customers,” said Tressie Lieberman, Starbucks global chief brand officer. “Our new protein beverages tap into the growing consumer demand for protein in an innovative, premium and delicious way that only Starbucks can deliver.”

According to the 2025 IFIC Food & Health Survey, 70% of Americans say they are trying to consume protein. For the fifth straight year, protein is the nutrient that most Americans say they are trying to consume, with 8 in 10 Americans prioritizing adding protein to their diet daily.

Starbucks new Protein Cold Foams and Lattes will be available at the end of September. They will come in a variety of flavors, including sugar-free and unsweetened choices and are designed to support customers looking to add protein to their order.

Starbucks® Protein Cold Foam

Tapping into the popularity of cold foam, which grew 23% year-over-year and is used in 1 out of every 7 beverages, customers will be able to order Protein Cold Foam — which adds about 15 grams of protein per grande to any cold beverage.

Starbucks cold foam is a creamy, frothy topping that adds texture and flavor to any cold coffee, tea or Refreshers, creating a delicious, layered drink. Starbucks Protein Cold Foam will come in a variety of flavors including a new banana flavor, vanilla, sugar-free vanilla, chocolate, matcha, salted caramel and brown sugar, as well as plain Protein Cold Foam. Seasonal flavors include pumpkin and pecan.

In addition to the Protein Cold Foam flavors being available on Sept. 29, iced beverages with Protein Cold Foam will be added to the permanent menu, delivering approximately 19–26 grams protein per grande beverage.

In July, Starbucks started testing protein beverages through the Starting 5 innovation program — a program that tests products in five coffeehouses and gathers feedback from baristas and customers before rolling out to more stores. Protein Cold Foams are the first breakthrough innovation built and tested with the Starting 5 approach.

Starbucks® Protein Lattes

Crafted with Protein-boosted Milk, Starbucks Protein Lattes will deliver approximately 27 to 36 grams of protein per grande beverage while maintaining the rich, bold flavor and smooth texture customers know and love. Starbucks will add a variety of Protein Lattes to the permanent menu starting Sept. 29.

Unlocking protein customization

For extra protein, customers will soon be able to customize with protein-boosted 2% milk on any beverage where milk is part of the recipe like Lattes, Iced Shaken Espresso and Coconut Milk Refreshers. When Protein-boosted Milk is customized for a hot or iced latte, it delivers an extra 12–16 grams of protein per grande. With no added sugar or compromise on flavor, Starbucks Protein-boosted Milk will be crafted fresh daily by Starbucks baristas, blending creamy 2% milk with unflavored protein powder.

Starbucks is committed to serving high-quality beverages and food made without high fructose corn syrup, artificial dyes, flavors or artificial trans-fats with a continued focus on putting customers and flavor first. Protein Cold Foams and Lattes are the latest products developed as part of Starbucks plan to deliver a modern and relevant beverage and food menu. Last month, Starbucks expanded the test of cold brew and matcha beverages made with coconut water and, earlier this year, eliminated sugar from its matcha powder, as well as removed the extra charge for non-dairy milk customizations in November 2024. Learn more here.

2 min read

September 1, 2025

Message from Brian: Thank you for a record-breaking week!

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

Partners,

On Wednesday, I shared that Tuesday’s Fall launch was our strongest Tuesday sales day ever. I’m thrilled to say that you continued that momentum through the week, helping us deliver a record-breaking sales week across our U.S. company-operated stores and an incredibly strong week in Canada, too.

A barista in a green apron holds a Starbucks cup with a pumpkin drawing, smiling in a cozy café setting with brick walls.

Our success is a direct result of your hard work, your relentless focus on excellence and your commitment to craft, quality and exceptional customer service. With Green Apron Service, we’ve invested significantly more partner hours in our coffeehouses. And you are making great use of those additional hours, adding more partners to shifts where they are needed most.

Every coffeehouse I visited this week was buzzing with energy. And I’ve heard fantastic feedback from customers and partners that they see and feel the difference. Your passion is showing up in every cup and every interaction.

To our green apron partners and coffeehouse leaders, thank you for showing up with pride and delivering exceptional Green Apron Service. And to our support teams across the company, thank you for everything you did behind the scenes to help make this week possible.

It’s inspiring to see what we can accomplish together. Let’s keep the momentum going.

On we go,

Brian

3 min read

August 22, 2025

Rebuilding together: Palisades Starbucks reopens six months after the Southern California wildfires

Mark Ebb, regional director, southern california

When disaster strikes, it doesn’t just disrupt daily life — it reshapes communities.

With more than 10,000 Starbucks coffeehouses across the U.S., our partners (employees) and neighborhoods are often at the heart of these moments. And in Southern California, the wildfires that swept through our region in January were no exception.

As a regional director, my role goes far beyond operations. It’s about showing up in times like these, and leading with urgency, compassion and purpose. Most important, it’s about ensuring our partners and communities receive the support they deserve.

A purpose-driven approach

In the wake of the fires, nearly two dozen Starbucks partners lost their homes and close to 500 were displaced or evacuated. One of our beloved community coffeehouses was left nearly unrecognizable. But what happened next was nothing short of extraordinary.

Our partners stepped up. Baristas served free coffee and food to first responders, including providing more than 2,500 cups, on us, to those who visited our coffeehouses. District managers and regional leaders worked one-on-one with partners, helping them navigate challenges with support from catastrophe pay and Caring Unites Partners (CUP) Fund grants.

Companywide, Starbucks partners rallied together — donating over $90,000 through the CUP Fund to nearly 200 fellow partners in need. The Starbucks Foundation committed more than $1 million to over 50 local and national nonprofit organizations. And as a Gold Sponsor of the FireAid Benefit Concert, Starbucks contributed another $1 million to support recovery efforts. Our customers joined us in solidarity, donating more than $450,000 to the Red Cross at the register across our U.S. coffeehouses.

This was a powerful example of how we use our scale for good — intentionally, and when it matters most. In times of crisis—whether natural or man-made — our responses are purpose-driven from all levels. Our coffeehouses become hubs of connection, and our partners give support to their communities with compassion and resilience.

It’s truly heartwarming to welcome the neighborhood back with open arms. There’s something so special about seeing the community come together over coffee. I can’t wait to keep the momentum going.”
– Hannah, shift supervisor.

A new chapter begins in Palisades

Now, more than six months later, we’re proud to celebrate a new beginning. Our Palisades Highland Plaza Starbucks has now officially reopened its doors. Our mighty crew of eight is bringing back the third place to our beloved community. This moment is more than a reopening, it’s a sign that we are on the path of rebuilding together.

Coffeehouse leader Jayla shared, “My cup is so full. This last week has been overwhelming in such a positive way. The way the community has shown up is fantastic, and I can’t wait to see what’s possible in the next three to six months.”

A space to reconnect

A group of eight people stands together in a coffee shop, wearing green aprons. The interior features wooden accents, plants, and artwork.

This new Palisades coffeehouse embodies the feeling we are looking to bring to the rest of our coffeehouses nationwide. There is more seating, soft chairs, community tables, live plants and a dark and cozy color palette — all of which, together, create a warm and welcoming coffeehouse for our Palisades customers to sit and stay a while.

Whether through in-kind donations, volunteerism, or simply offering a place to gather, the Palisades Starbucks is committed to strengthening its community — one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time.

2 min read

August 21, 2025

Starbucks expands test of Coco Matcha and Coco Cold Brew starting Aug. 21

Test will expand to more than 400 stores across in New York City, greater Los Angeles and Chicago, and several Midwest Cities*  

Starting August 21, Starbucks is expanding the test of Coco Matcha and Coco Cold Brew to more than 400 stores across New York City, greater Los Angeles and Chicago, as well as select cities in the Midwest.  

The new Coco Matcha and Coco Cold Brew––which layers creamy matcha foam or silky cold brew foam atop refreshing coconut water––are the latest products we are testing as part of our plan to accelerate health and wellness innovation.   

Coco Matcha: Features hydrating coconut water over ice, topped with a creamy layer of unsweetened Matcha Cold Foam. The subtle, tropical sweetness from the coconut water brings delicious flavor to the matcha for a new, layered twist on refreshment. A grande contains 230 calories and 11 grams of sugar. 
Coco Cold Brew: Features hydrating coconut water over ice, crowned with silky cold brew foam. The subtle, tropical sweetness from the coconut water pairs perfectly with the cold brew foam for a new, layered twist on refreshment. A grande contains 70 calories and 9 grams of sugar.

Two tall glasses of beverages are displayed. The left glass contains a green drink with a frothy top, while the right glass features a layered iced coffee with a creamy brown foam on top. Both drinks are served over ice against a soft green background.

The beverages were first tested in New York City this past July through our ‘Starting 5’ innovation program, which tests new ideas in five coffeehouses to gather real-time feedback from customers and baristas before rolling out to more stores.  

The regional test will allow us to continue testing the beverages and gathering feedback from customers and partners (employees). We look forward to learning from our customers and partners on this test and don’t have additional details to share on the future expansion of the products. 

Starbucks has a long-standing commitment to high-quality beverages and food and empowers customers to make informed nutritional decisions, with transparency on ingredients, calories, and more. Plus, we keep it simple—no high fructose corn syrup, artificial dyes, flavors, or artificial trans-fats. Earlier this year we eliminated sugar from our matcha powder, as well as removed the extra charge for non-dairy milk customizations in Nov. 2024. In the fall we will launch new protein cold foams. Learn more here. 

*Cedar Rapids, IA; St. Louis, MO; Springfield, IL; South Bend, IN; Madison and Milwaukee, WI

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Changes to some of our coffeehouses

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