Starbucks Enhances Customer Experience Through Green Apron Service
COO Mike Grams detailed how Starbucks is becoming a more consistent, customer centric, coffeehouse-first operating company through Green Apron Service, which includes targeted investments in partners, equipment and technology. The company said, "Key initiatives include: Smart Queue to intelligently sequence cafe, mobile, drive thru and delivery orders, ensuring timely service across all channels; Leveraging artificial intelligence to support partners, including supply chain and scheduling tools; Next-generation espresso equipment like the proprietary Mastrena 3 to unlock additional growth. These initiatives continue to drive faster service while enabling partners to focus on coffee craft and customer connection. Peak throughput increased in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 to less than four minutes on average across cafe and drive-thru coffeehouses."
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Starbucks Reports Mixed Q1 Results Amid Turnaround Strategy
- Performance Recovery: Starbucks reported a net income of $293.3 million and earnings per share of $0.26 for Q1, down from $780.8 million and $0.69 a year earlier, indicating pressure from turnaround costs and rising coffee prices on profitability.
- Sales Growth: The company achieved a 6% increase in net sales to $9.92 billion, with global same-store sales rising 4%, surpassing market expectations of 2.3%, marking the first transaction growth in two years and indicating a trend of customer return.
- China Market Strategy: Starbucks announced a joint venture with Boyu Capital to operate its business in China, expected to close in Q2 of fiscal 2026, further solidifying its position in the world's second-largest market.
- Expansion Plans: Starbucks aims to open 600 to 650 new stores in fiscal 2026, despite closing approximately 400 U.S. locations last year, demonstrating the company's commitment to global market expansion.

Starbucks Reports Earnings Below Expectations, Yet Stock Price Increases.
- Quarterly Sales Performance: Starbucks reported quarterly sales that exceeded expectations.
- Earnings Report: Despite strong sales, the company's earnings fell short of projections due to ongoing investments aimed at a turnaround strategy.









