Editing Starbucks (section)

== Criticisms and controversies ==
{{main|Criticism of Starbucks}}

=== Response to Russian invasion of Ukraine ===
Following the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], a number of companies have faced growing pressure to halt operations in Russia, but have not yet done so. This includes Starbucks. On March 4, Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson stated that the company has no business operations in Ukraine, but does have 130 licensed Starbucks locations in Russia that are wholly owned by a "licensed partner". While Johnson did not comment on their future, he condemned the Russian invasion and did say that the company "will donate any royalties we receive from our business operations in Russia to humanitarian relief efforts for Ukraine".<ref name=":14">{{Cite news |last=Creswell |first=Julie |date=March 5, 2022 |title=Fast-food chains and food producers stay open in Russia, and mostly quiet about Ukraine. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/05/world/europe/russia-food-ukraine.html |access-date=March 6, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=Ukraine invasion: Attention turns to McDonald's and crypto exchanges, yet to take a stand against Russia |url=https://news.sky.com/story/attention-turns-to-mcdonalds-and-cryptocurrency-exchanges-as-holdouts-in-russia-exodus-12557535 |access-date=March 6, 2022 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 5, 2022 |title=For many Washington state businesses, the war in Ukraine means tough choices about Russia |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/for-many-washington-state-businesses-the-war-in-ukraine-means-tough-choices/ |access-date=March 6, 2022 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Letter to Partners from Kevin Johnson on Ukraine |url=https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2022/letter-to-partners-from-kevin-johnson-on-ukraine/ |access-date=March 6, 2022 |website=Starbucks Stories |language=en-us}}</ref>

=== Racial controversies ===
Starbucks has been accused of racial bias and discrimination on several occasions. In 1994, Starbucks settled a lawsuit after two employees were dismissed because of their race, age, and sex. A black woman filed a suit after her direct supervisor, a regional vice president, said he would like to call her Toby, a slave name which was given to African [[Kunta Kinte]] in the TV miniseries ''[[Roots (1977 miniseries)|Roots]]''. Her co-worker spoke on her behalf, after which she was fired.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Starbucks Settles Discrimination Suit -- Employees Say They Were Fired Because Of Their Race, Age, Sex {{!}} The Seattle Times|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19940801&slug=1923225|access-date=May 10, 2021|website=archive.seattletimes.com}}</ref> In 2008, a former African American Starbucks engineer sued the company for discrimination after his supervisor failed to address racist bullying he was experiencing at the workplace, instead giving him extra work due to his complaining. Starbucks settled the suit in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Allison|first=Melissa|date=June 23, 2009|title=Starbucks pays $120,000 to settle racial discrimination lawsuit, but the check hasn't been cashed|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/local-business/starbucks-pays-120000-to-settle-racial-discrimination-lawsuit-but-the-check-hasnt-been-cashed/|access-date=May 10, 2021|website=The Seattle Times|language=en-US}}</ref> The [[Equal Employment Opportunity Commission]] has raised allegations against Starbucks for racial bias in its promotions, allegedly based on workforce data from 2007 to 2011 that showed that minority retail partners in the United States received fewer promotions than statistically expected.<ref>{{Cite web|date=March 31, 2021|title=Starbucks reaches agreement with EEOC over alleged bias in promotions|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/starbucks-reaches-agreement-with-eeoc-over-alleged-bias-in-promotions/|access-date=May 10, 2021|website=The Seattle Times|language=en-US}}</ref>

The 2015 Starbucks "Race Together" campaign, when baristas were instructed to write the phrase "Race Together" on customer's cups with the aim to start a national dialogue about race, was heavily criticized and received backlash.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shah|first=Khushbu|date=March 17, 2015|title=Can Starbucks Fix Racism With a Message on a Cup?|url=https://www.eater.com/2015/3/17/8231973/can-starbucks-fix-racism-with-a-message-on-a-cup|access-date=May 10, 2021|website=Eater|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=March 18, 2015|title=Starbucks' Move To Debate Race Brews Backlash|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/starbucks-race-backlash_n_6898324|access-date=May 10, 2021|website=HuffPost|language=en}}</ref> In 2020, employees were prohibited from wearing [[Black Lives Matter]] symbols or phrases on their clothing or accessories.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Beer|first=Tommy|title=Starbucks Bans Employees From Wearing Black Lives Matter Attire|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tommybeer/2020/06/11/starbucks-bans-employees-from-wearing-black-lives-matter-attire/|access-date=May 10, 2021|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref>

Individual Starbucks cafes have faced criticism over incidents of racial bias, leading the company to close 8,000 cafes for a day in 2018 for [[sensitivity training|racial bias training]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hyken |first1=Shep |title=Starbucks Closes 8,000 Stores For Racial Bias Training -- Is It Enough? |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/shephyken/2018/06/01/starbucks-closes-8000-stores-for-racial-bias-training-is-it-enough/ |work=[[Forbes]] |date=June 1, 2018 |language=en}}</ref> In 2014, a [[Milwaukee]] Starbucks employee called the police when they noticed a black man sleeping in a park, which resulted in the police officer [[Killing of Dontre Hamilton|killing the man]] by shooting him 14 times, prompting protests.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 17, 2018|title='They didn't care:' Call from Starbucks employee prompted response that led to Dontre Hamilton's death|url=https://www.fox6now.com/news/they-didnt-care-call-from-starbucks-employee-prompted-response-that-led-to-dontre-hamiltons-death|access-date=May 10, 2021|website=FOX 6 Now Milwaukee|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2018, two black men were arrested and escorted out of a [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]] Starbucks after the staff called the police because they refused to leave. The video of the incident quickly became viral and sparked widespread outrage.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Madej|first1=Patricia|last2=DiStefano|first2=Joseph N.|last3=Adelman|first3=Jacob|title=Black men's arrests at Philadelphia Starbucks prompt city probes amid national outcry|url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/starbucks-philadelphia-police-viral-video-investigation-race-20180414.html|access-date=May 10, 2021|website=www.inquirer.com|date=April 14, 2018 |language=en}}</ref> In another 2018 incident, a black man was denied the code for the restroom for not being a customer, even though at the same time a white man was given that code before ordering anything.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 16, 2018|title='Is It My Skin Color?' Black Man Asks in Viral Video After Apparently Being Denied Restroom Access at Torrance Starbucks|url=https://ktla.com/news/local-news/is-it-my-skin-color-black-man-asks-in-viral-video-after-apparently-being-denied-restroom-access-at-torrance-starbucks/|access-date=May 10, 2021|website=KTLA|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2021, a Starbucks in Ireland was fined €12,000 after an Irish Thai customer received her order with a racist drawing on the cup.<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 19, 2021|title=Starbucks in Dublin fined over racist drawing on customer's cup|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/starbucks-dublin-ireland-fine-racist-drawing-customer-cup/|access-date=May 10, 2021|website=Politico|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Union busting===
In 2022, over a period of a few months, Starbucks terminated more than 85 workers in the U.S. who had been involved in organizing worker unions against unfair labor practices. The workers had also accused Starbucks of creating a culture of fear and surveillance in the store.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sainato |first1=Michael |title=Starbucks creating 'culture of fear' as it fires dozens involved in union efforts |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/aug/25/starbucks-union-employees-fired |access-date=August 25, 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=August 25, 2022}}</ref>

In November 2022, the chain announced it would close a location in Seattle that was the first to unionize. It said the closure was due to safety concerns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wiener-Bronner |first=Danielle |date=November 22, 2022 |title=Starbucks closes location that was the first to unionize in Seattle |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/22/business/starbucks-closure-union/index.html |access-date=November 23, 2022 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

On December 18, 2022, workers at over 100 stores across the U.S. undertook a three-day strike in response to alleged union busting and to demand better working conditions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kent |first=Jackie |date=December 19, 2022 |title=Seattle Starbucks workers join nationwide strike |url=https://komonews.com/news/local/seattle-starbucks-strike-union-workers-employee-nationwide-country-america-us-capitol-hill-picket-line-roastery-howard-schultz-coffee |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=KOMO News |language=en}}</ref>

=== Pride/LGBTQ+ ===
{{Main|2023 Starbucks strike}}
In June 2023, Starbucks attracted controversy for allegedly not allowing workers at some locations in 22 states to put up Pride Month decorations. It came during an ongoing public furor over the direction of LGBTQ+ rights in the US, with other major corporations, like [[Target Corporation|Target]] and [[AB InBev|AB-InBev]], which manufactures [[Bud Light]], also receiving heightened criticism and scrutiny. A strike at some stores was announced as a result.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sainato |first=Michael |date=June 14, 2023 |title=Starbucks Pride decorations removed because of new policy, US workers say |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jun/14/starbucks-workers-pride-month-no-decorations-policy |access-date=June 23, 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Kate |date=June 23, 2023 |title=Starbucks union says workers at more than 150 stores will strike over Pride decor |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/23/starbucks-union-says-workers-will-strike-over-pride-decor.html |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref>

=== Boycott amidst the 2023 Gaza war ===
[[File:Pro-Palestine Demonstration in Exeter Feb 10 2024 Boycott Starbucks.jpg|thumb|right|[[Gaza war protests|Pro-Palestinian protest]] outside Starbucks in [[Exeter, England]] on February 10, 2024]]{{Further information|Criticism of Starbucks#Allegations of support for Israel and boycott}}
In late 2023, Starbucks [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions|faced boycotts]] following the company's decision to sue the [[Starbucks Workers United]] (SWU) union for making a social media post stating "Solidarity with [[Palestine]]" shortly after the October 7 [[Hamas]]-led [[October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel|attack]] on [[Israel]].<ref name=":5">{{cite news |last1=Tenbarge |first1=Kat |title=Social media fuels boycotts against McDonald's and Starbucks over Israel-Hamas war |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/social-media-fuels-boycotts-mcdonalds-starbucks-israel-hamas-war-rcna125121 |access-date=December 26, 2023 |work=NBC News |date=December 1, 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{cite news |last1=Durbin |first1=Dee-Ann |title=Starbucks, Workers United union sue each other in standoff over pro-Palestinian social media post |url=https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-workers-united-union-lawsuit-israel-palestinian-f212a994fef67f122854a4df7e5d13f5 |access-date=December 26, 2023 |work=AP News |date=October 18, 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mohamud |first1=Amal |title=Why people are boycotting Starbucks in solidarity with Palestine |url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/why-people-are-boycotting-starbucks-in-solidarity-with-palestine-1.6666378 |access-date=December 26, 2023 |work=Edmonton |date=November 29, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> Starbucks alleged that the post harmed its reputation, and sued for trademark infringement for the use of the Starbucks name and a related logo. The SWU made a filing in response, requesting the continued use of the name and logo, and alleging defamation from Starbucks that it endorsed violence or terrorism. According to SWU President Lynne Fox the post was written by a single person, shortly deleted, and not authorized by other members of the SWU.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> CEO [[Laxman Narasimhan]] wrote a year-ending letter addressed to employees, writing: "Our stance is clear. We stand for humanity."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tenore |first1=Haley |title=Starbucks CEO says people on social media misrepresented what the coffee chain stands for and led to stores being vandalized |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-ceo-responds-boycott-calls-store-vandalism-israel-palestine-backlash-2023-12 |access-date=December 26, 2023 |work=Business Insider |date=December 22, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sherman |first1=Natalie |title=Starbucks blames 'misrepresentation' after Israel Gaza protests |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-67777506 |access-date=December 26, 2023 |work=BBC |date=December 20, 2023}}</ref>

=== Other controversies ===
In 2025, a court ordered Starbucks to pay $50 million to a driver who suffered burns after an unsecured hot drink spilled on him.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dorgan |first=Michael |date=March 15, 2025 |title=Starbucks ordered to pay $50M to customer burned by hot drink |url=https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/starbucks-ordered-pay-50m-customer-burned-hot-drink |access-date=March 17, 2025 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref>