SBUX · Earnings call · 2026Q3T · Full report

Strategic Initiatives

STARBUCKS CORP · 2026-10-29 · Importance 54 · Surprise 74

Management is positioning Back to Starbucks as a growth plan, prioritizing coffeehouse execution, menu relevance, digital capabilities, disciplined expansion, and partner development. Starbucks expects international net new openings to accelerate by nearly 50% in fiscal 2027 versus fiscal 2026 and sees long-term potential to grow its international footprint from more than 23,000 coffeehouses to nearly 40,000, including the potential to double its presence in China and India. In North America, management sees opportunity for around 5,000 additional coffeehouses over time and expects fewer company-operated openings in fiscal 2027 while rebuilding the development pipeline. The company will begin integrating delivery into its app in Q2 fiscal 2027 and plans fiscal-2027 testing of AI models in drive-throughs to support order entry, throughput, and service speed.

Key facts