SBUX · Earnings call · 2026Q3T · Full report

Afternoon Daypart Growth

STARBUCKS CORP · 2026-10-29 · Importance 31 · Surprise 32 · In source text

Management said food and pastry upgrades have produced a pickup in afternoon attachment, while caffeine-free Refreshers are driving growth in the afternoon despite Energy skewing more toward mornings. Starbucks plans to highlight its caffeine-free Refresher offering and develop a tea platform incorporating health and wellness. Total store transactions were up versus a year earlier across all dayparts, and afternoon Matcha is a more than $1 billion platform growing substantially year over year. Cold beverages, often customized with cold foam, are also contributing to afternoon demand.

Key facts

• Starbucks identified protein and Energy Refreshers as examples of product platforms, and plans food platforms using its bites business for afternoon occasions.
• Starbucks plans work this fiscal year to highlight its caffeine-free Refresher program for the afternoon.
• Starbucks expects the afternoon peak to start at one hour, stretch to two hours, and ideally reach three hours.
• Upgrades to Starbucks' food and pastry case have driven an increase in afternoon food attachment.
• Starbucks' Energy beverages have skewed more toward the morning, while caffeine-free Refreshers are driving growth in the afternoon.
• Starbucks TSDs are up versus a year ago, across all dayparts.
• Starbucks Matcha beverages are increasingly ordered with cold foam and are sought after more often in the afternoon.
• Starbucks' cold beverage innovation has connected with customers, and cold beverages with cold foam are having a positive impact in the afternoon.

Impact estimates