Editing Starbucks (section)

==== 2020s ====
On March 20, 2020, due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Starbucks closed all the café-only stores in the United States for two weeks. During that time, only drive-thru and delivery-only services were to function. According to the company representatives, all workers were to be paid for the next 30 days whether they went to work or stayed home.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-closing-locations-keeping-drive-thru-open-2020-3 | title=Starbucks is closing thousands of cafe-only stores across the US, keeping drive-thrus open and paying workers for 30 days whether they come to work or not | first=Kate | last=Taylor | work=[[Business Insider]] | date=March 20, 2020}}</ref> COVID-19 lockdowns caused Starbucks to suffer a general 10% sales decrease, and a 50% decrease in China where quarantine measures were especially strict.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-52465337 | last=Sherman | first=Natalie| title=Cars out, snacks in as virus impacts US profits | work=[[BBC News]] | date=April 28, 2020}}</ref>

In May 2020, the company asked for reduced rent from landlords due to the decrease in sales.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://marker.medium.com/the-case-for-shorting-starbucks-388a91e65421 | title=The Uncertain Future of Post-Pandemic Starbucks | last=LeVine |first=Steve | work=[[Medium (website)|Medium]] | date=July 28, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/14/starbucks-asks-for-a-break-on-rent-for-the-next-year.html | title=Starbucks asks for a break on rent for the next year | first=Amelia | last=Lucas | work=[[CNBC]] | date=May 14, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/money/starbucks-landlords-astounded-coronavirus-rent-reduction | title=Starbucks landlords 'astounded' by company's coronavirus rent reduction request | first=Cortney | last=Moore | work=[[FOX Business]] | date=May 28, 2020}}</ref>

In June 2020, during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States]], the company announced that it would close 400 of its locations in the US/Canada region over the subsequent 18 months as it moves from the coffee house concept to what it calls "convenience-led" formats with [[drive-through]] and [[curbside pickup]]. Starbucks announced that it planned to open 300 stores that will primarily focus on carryout and pickup orders.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/starbucks-is-closing-400-stores-in-the-next-18-months-061120.html |title=Starbucks is closing 400 stores in the next 18 months | first=Mark | last=Huffman | work=[[ConsumerAffairs]] | date=June 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/10/business/starbucks-closing-400-stores/index.html | title=Starbucks is closing 400 stores in the next 18 months | work=[[CNN]] | date=June 11, 2020}}</ref> The new stores will work with the Starbucks [[mobile app]] for prepayment by the customer before arrival to pick up the order. The layout of some stores will also be modified with a separate counter for picking up mobile orders.

In December 2020, Starbucks announced that it is planning to increase its store count to about 55,000 by 2030, up from roughly 33,000.<ref>{{Cite news | title=Starbucks plans to open about 22,000 stores in the next ten years | url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/09/business/starbucks-store-openings/index.html | first=Danielle | last=Wiener-Bronner | work=[[CNN]] | date=December 9, 2020}}</ref>

Bloomberg reported in July 2022 that the company was, through investment bank [[Houlihan Lokey]], exploring selling its stores in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kehnscherper |first1=Leonard |title=Starbucks Weighs Selling Its UK Operations, Times Reports |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-07-16/starbucks-weighs-selling-its-uk-operations-times-reports?sref=CIpmV6x8 |access-date=July 16, 2022 |work=Bloomberg.com |date=July 16, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

In August 2022, after months of suspension due to the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], Starbucks sold all its stores in Russia to the Russian rapper [[Timati]]. The stores were rebranded as "[https://stars-coffee.ru Stars Coffee]", and are very similar to the former stores. Starbucks said it had no comment on the new owner.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/restaurateur-rapper-duo-reopen-former-starbucks-coffee-shops-russia-2022-08-18/ | title=Russian duo hail Stars Coffee as successor brand to Starbucks | newspaper=Reuters | date=August 19, 2022 | last1=Marrow | first1=Alexander }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/stars-coffee-opens-in-russia-starbucks-replacement-rcna43962 | title=Stars Coffee, anyone? Starbucks substitute opening in Russia | website=[[NBC News]] | date=August 19, 2022 }}</ref>

On October 1, 2022, [[Howard Schultz]] stepped down as CEO, with Laxman Narasimhan becoming Starbucks's next CEO.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tyko |first=Herb Scribner, Kelly |date=September 1, 2022 |title=Starbucks announces new CEO amid growing unionization efforts |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/09/01/starbucks-ceo-laxman-narasimhan-howard-schultz |access-date=September 12, 2022 |website=Axios |language=en}}</ref>

On March 23, 2023, Narasimhan told employees that he would work a half-day behind a store counter each month, and he trained as a barista to immerse himself in the brand and stay close to customers.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lucas |first=Amelia |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/23/new-starbucks-ceo-says-hell-work-a-shift-at-its-cafes-once-a-month.html |title=Starbucks CEO says he'll work a shift at the company's cafes once a month |work=[[CNBC]] |date=March 23, 2023 |access-date=March 24, 2023 }}</ref>

In June 2023, Starbucks was ordered to pay $25 million in punitive damages and $600,000 compensatory damages to a former regional manager. The court found that Starbucks fired her in 2018 because she was white.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Starbucks to pay $25 million to former manager [...] allegedly fired because of race |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/starbucks-ordered-to-pay-white-former-manager-fired-because-of-race-25-million/ |access-date=June 15, 2023 |website=CBS |date=June 14, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

In October 2023, the operator of all of the Starbucks locations in Brazil, SouthRock Capital, declared itself bankrupt. SouthRock will continue to operate Starbucks locations normally while closing a few underperforming ones and will restructure through the bankruptcy procedure.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/brazil-court-okays-bankruptcy-protection-for-tgi-fridays-starbucks-operator|title=Brazil court okays bankruptcy protection for TGI Fridays, Starbucks operator|date=December 12, 2023|access-date=December 14, 2023|website=Nasdaq|language=en}}</ref>

On August 13, 2024, Starbucks announced it was replacing then CEO Laxman Narasimhan with [[Brian Niccol]]. Niccol had served as the CEO of [[Chipotle Mexican Grill|Chipotle]] since 2018.

In January 2025, Starbucks ended its 'open-door policy', and requires customers to make a purchase in order to use restrooms and the seating area.<ref>{{cite web|last=Holpuch|first=Amanda|title=Starbucks Reverses Its Open-Door Policy for Bathroom Use and Lounging|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/business/starbucks-bathroom-purchase-policy.html|website=The New York Times|date=January 14, 2025|access-date=January 15, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Nitzberg|first=Alex|title=Starbucks reverses open bathroom policy|url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/retail/starbucks-reverses-open-bathroom-policy|website=FOX Business|date=January 14, 2025|access-date=January 15, 2025}}</ref>

In February 2025, Starbucks cut 30% of its menu in an effort to simplify its processes and reduce costs. The discontinued offerings were primarily less popular or more complex items, including some Frappuccino blended drinks, Royal English Breakfast Latte, and White Hot Chocolate.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meyersohn |first=Nathaniel |date=2025-02-24 |title=Starbucks is laying off workers and paring back the menu as it tries to turn the business around {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/24/business/starbucks-white-hot-chocolate-layoff-workers/index.html |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> 

=====American unionization efforts=====
{{main|Starbucks unions}}
[[File:Starbucks Workers Rally and March 01.jpg|thumb|Starbucks workers protesting in Seattle]]
Three of the company's stores in [[Buffalo, New York]] began an attempt to unionize in August 2021.<ref name=wsj_0921>{{cite news |last1=Haddon |first1=Heather |title=Starbucks Faces Rare Union Challenge in Upstate New York |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/starbucks-faces-rare-union-test-in-upstate-new-york-11632488098 |access-date=October 18, 2021 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=September 24, 2021}}</ref> Using [[Twitter]], the workers announced they had formed an organizing committee, Starbucks Workers United, to form a union affiliated with [[Workers United]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Scheiber |first1=Noam |title=Starbucks Faces Rare Union Challenge as Buffalo Workers Seek Vote |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/30/business/starbucks-coffee-buffalo-union.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/30/business/starbucks-coffee-buffalo-union.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited |access-date=October 18, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=August 30, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Two more stores joined the effort in September, however these petitions were later withdrawn to ensure a speedy process for the original three locations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Veronica |first1=Nick |title=Slamming 'union-busting effort,' 2 more Buffalo Starbucks locations join unprecedented push to unionize |url=https://www.wivb.com/news/starbucks-union-buffalo-workers-united-slamming-union-busting-effort-2-more-buffalo-starbucks-locations-join-unprecedented-push-to-unionize/ |access-date=October 18, 2021 |work=News 4 Buffalo |date=September 8, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bennett |first1=Faith |title=Starbucks Workers Are Organizing — and Management Is Worried |url=https://jacobinmag.com/2021/10/starbucks-workers-united-buffalo-union-drive-organizing-coffee-shop-industry-labor |work=jacobinmag.com |date=October 16, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Gurley|first=Lauren Kaori|date=October 13, 2021|title=Starbucks Temporarily Closes 2 Stores That Are Trying to Unionize|work=Vice|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/starbucks-temporarily-closes-two-stores-that-are-trying-to-unionize/|access-date=December 8, 2021}}</ref> During the union drive, the company sent other managers and executives, including its North America retail president, to Buffalo to engage with employees about operational issues and participate in their work. Employees were forced to attend [[captive audience meeting]]s that contained anti-union messages.<ref>{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Sainato |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/nov/23/starbucks-aggressive-anti-union-effort-new-york-stores-organize |title=Starbucks launches aggressive anti-union effort as upstate New York stores organize |website=[[The Guardian]] |date=November 23, 2021 |access-date=June 23, 2022 }}</ref> Starbucks temporarily closed some area stores for remodeling and added excessive staff to one of the stores preparing to vote. Workers said this reduced union support there, while Starbucks said the support was meant to compensate for increased sick leave during the pandemic as it had done elsewhere in the country.<ref name="symbolic">{{Cite news |last1=Scheiber |first1=Noam |date=December 9, 2021 |title=Starbucks workers at a Buffalo store unionize in a big symbolic win for labor |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/09/business/economy/buffalo-starbucks-union.html |url-status=live |access-date=December 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210082106/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/09/business/economy/buffalo-starbucks-union.html |archive-date=December 10, 2021}}</ref> On November 9 Workers United filed three more petitions for elections to represent workers at additional Buffalo area stores.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Scheiber|first=Noam|date=November 9, 2021|title=Starbucks workers at three more Buffalo-area stores file for union elections.|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/09/business/economy/starbucks-workers-union-elections-buffalo.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/09/business/economy/starbucks-workers-union-elections-buffalo.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited|access-date=December 8, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On November 10 the [[National Labor Relations Board]] mailed out votes for the elections at the original three locations.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Glynn|first=Matt|date=November 11, 2021 |title=Union vote ballots mailed to Starbucks workers |work=The Buffalo News |url=https://buffalonews.com/business/local/union-vote-ballots-mailed-to-starbucks-workers/article_71deaacc-4320-11ec-a3e5-67ac10b7e923.html |access-date=December 8, 2021}}</ref> Votes for the original three stores were counted on December 9.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Eidelson |first=Josh |date=December 7, 2021|title=Starbucks Bid to Halt Union Vote Count Is Rejected by Labor Board |work=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-07/starbucks-bid-to-halt-union-vote-count-rejected-by-labor-board |access-date=December 8, 2021}}</ref> Days before the vote count, the NLRB rejected arguments by Starbucks to halt the election.

Inspired by their colleagues in Buffalo, workers at a Starbucks store in Mesa, Arizona, petitioned the NLRB for a union election on November 18, 2021, to be represented by Workers United. The organizing at the Mesa location stemmed from, in part, a well-liked manager being terminated after whistle-blowing on Starbucks' anti-union plan.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Eidelson|first=Josh|date=November 18, 2021|title=Starbucks Unionizing Effort Expands to Arizona|work=Bloomberg|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-18/starbucks-workers-union-effort-expands-to-arizona-with-new-bid|access-date=December 8, 2021}}</ref>

Starbucks temporarily closed two stores participating in the union drive in October for renovations. The company claimed these closures were unrelated to the unionization efforts.<ref name="vice_1021">{{cite news |last1=Gurley |first1=Lauren Kaori |title=Starbucks Temporarily Closes 2 Stores That Are Trying to Unionize |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/starbucks-temporarily-closes-two-stores-that-are-trying-to-unionize/ |access-date=October 18, 2021 |work=Vice.com |language=en}}</ref> Starbucks began working with [[Littler Mendelson]], a self-described "union-busting firm", in October.<ref>{{cite news |title=Littler Labeled as a Union Busting Firm |url=https://www.littler.com/publication-press/press/littler-labeled-union-busting-firm |publisher=Littler |date=April 27, 2007 |access-date=September 9, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Law Firm Cashes In By Aiding Employers |url=https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Law-Firm-Cashes-In-By-Aiding-Employers-Littler-2979677.php |first=Jonathan |last=Marshall |website=SFGate |date=June 5, 1996 |access-date=September 9, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='It's Almost Comical:' Starbucks Is Blatantly Trying to Crush Its Union |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/its-almost-comical-starbucks-is-blatantly-trying-to-crush-its-union/ |first=Lauren |last=Gurley |website=Vice |date=September 8, 2021 |access-date=September 9, 2021}}</ref> Starbucks requested that the National Labor Relations Board include all Buffalo Starbucks locations in the union vote, however, the NLRB rejected this argument and declared store by store elections.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Duff |first1=Owen |date=October 16, 2021 |title=Starbucks May Be Hiding the Real Reason Behind Store Closures In New York |url=https://www.eatthis.com/news-starbucks-hiding-real-reason-behind-store-closures/ |access-date=October 19, 2021 |work=Eat This Not That |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Finally, on December 9, 2021, the workers at the Elmwood Avenue store became the first unionized Starbucks workers at a Starbucks owned location in the United States with a 19–8 vote. The Camp Road location voted 12–8 not to be in the union.<ref name="wsj_0921" /> Starbucks does have unionized locations in other countries.<ref name="wsj_0921" />

On December 13, workers at two Boston area locations petitioned the NLRB for union elections to be unionize with Workers United. The workers cited the win in Buffalo as inspiration for organizing. Workers in at least one location had most cards signed within a day.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Eidelson|first=Josh|date=December 13, 2021|title=Starbucks Workers Push to Unionize in Boston Area After N.Y. Win|work=Bloomberg|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-14/starbucks-workers-push-to-unionize-in-boston-area-after-n-y-win|access-date=December 13, 2021}}</ref>

In February 2022, Starbucks fired seven workers in [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]] who had led the unionization effort and temporarily closed the store.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-60312013|title=Starbucks fires organisers as union threat grows|access-date=February 9, 2022|date=February 8, 2022|work=[[BBC]]}}</ref>

In August 2022, the National Labor Relations Board accused the company of illegally discriminating against unionized workers by refusing them wage and benefit increases and requesting restitution. It also asked that the CEO at the time, Howard Schultz, or a board official read a notice about this purportedly unlawful move.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Scheiber |first=Noam |date=August 25, 2022 |title=Starbucks Illegally Denied Raises to Union Members, Labor Board Says |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/25/business/economy/starbucks-union-howard-schultz-nlrb.html |access-date=August 26, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

As of August 2022, unions were certified at 211 locations in the US.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Haddon |first=Heather |date=August 31, 2022 |title=Starbucks Is Rethinking Almost Everything, Including How to Make Frappuccinos |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/starbucks-howard-schultz-change-frappuccinos-11661888871 |access-date=September 1, 2022 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}</ref>

On November 17, 2022, Starbucks’ annual Red Cup Day and one of the busiest days for employees, over 100 locations had employees go on strike. The workers were seeking higher staffing levels, better wages, and consistent schedules.<ref>{{cite news |last=Durbin |first=Dee-Ann |url=https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-strike-walkout-red-cup-day-386896c728bc4a66d1aa51aa002fb1ba |title=Starbucks workers strike at more than 100 US stores |work=[[Associated Press]] |date=November 17, 2022 |access-date=November 17, 2022 }}</ref>

Most unionization efforts are made through SBWU (Starbucks Workers United). There are over 9,000 American locations, but since the first unionized location in New York in 2021, less than 3% have voted to unionize. SBWU and Starbucks have yet to successfully negotiate a contract. Starbucks claims in a letter and on its website that the Workers United has delayed bargaining, has illegally broadcast bargaining sessions, refused to meet in person, and that Starbucks has reported more than 22 unfair labor practice charges to the NLRB (National Labor Relations Board).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Starbucks says it wants union bargaining to begin |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/26/starbucks-says-it-wants-union-bargaining-to-begin.html |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=CNBC |date=September 26, 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Starbucks says union broke rules by recording talks in 5 places |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-starbucks-union-20221026-uwnjd62ucjhllevnlftllivfki-story.html |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=Chicago Tribune|date=October 26, 2022 }}</ref> By March 2023, the NLRB found no merit in Starbucks's complaints and instead ruled that it was Starbucks who refused to bargain.<ref name="unions March 2023 Vox">{{cite news |url=https://www.vox.com/technology/2023/3/28/23659846/starbucks-ceo-howard-schultz-senate-union-busting |website=Vox |title=Starbucks won't admit to breaking the law by union busting |date=March 29, 2023 |access-date=March 31, 2023 |last=Molla |first=Rani}}</ref>

On June 23, 2023, Starbucks workers at unionized stores went on strike over the company's stance on in-store [[LGBT pride]] decorations.<ref>{{cite news |last=Saric |first=Ivana |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/06/23/starbucks-union-strike-pride-decorations |title=More than 150 Starbucks stores to strike over Pride decor, union says |work=[[Axios (website)|Axios]] |date=June 23, 2023 |access-date=June 23, 2023 }}</ref>