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Starbucks Corp.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 28 January 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 5 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Global comparable sales rose 4%: Global comparable store sales rose 4%, with comparable transactions up 3% and average ticket up 1%. North America and U.S. comparable sales each rose 4%. Source
  • Revenue rose 6% to $9.9 billion: Consolidated net revenues rose 6% to $9.9 billion, or 5% on a constant currency basis. Source
  • North America margin fell 480 basis points: North America operating income fell 27% to $867.0 million, with operating margin down to 11.9% from 16.7%, driven by labor investments for Back to Starbucks and inflation. Source
  • GAAP margin down 290 basis points: GAAP operating margin fell 290 basis points to 9.0%, mainly from labor investments and inflation. Non-GAAP operating margin fell 180 basis points to 10.1%. Source
  • First U.S. transaction growth in eight quarters: The company reported U.S. comparable transaction growth for the first time in eight quarters. U.S. comparable store sales rose 4%, with transactions up 3% and ticket up 1%. Source
  • Boyu Capital joint venture for China retail: Boyu Capital can acquire up to a 60% stake in Starbucks China retail operations. Starbucks keeps a 40% interest and continues to own and license the brand to the new entity. Source

“Our Q1 results demonstrate our 'Back to Starbucks' strategy is working and we believe we're ahead of schedule”

Brian Niccol, chairman and chief executive officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Global and U.S. comparable store sales and consolidated net revenues Sourcefiscal 2026 (growth relative to fiscal 2025 non-GAAP measures)3% or greater; net revenues growing at a similar rateNew
Non-GAAP earnings per share Sourcefiscal 2026$2.15 to $2.40New
GAAP diluted EPS (projected) Sourceyear ended September 27, 2026$1.74- 1.99New
Projected reconciling items to non-GAAP EPS (per share) Sourceyear ended September 27, 2026Restructuring and impairments 0.20; transaction costs 0.04; income tax impact from indefinite reinvestment assertions 0.23; income tax effect on non-GAAP adjustments (0.06)New
Net new coffeehouses Sourcefiscal 2026Approximately 600 to 650New

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Fiscal 2026 guidance was introduced for comparable sales, net revenues, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP EPS and net new coffeehouses. Source
  • New: The company announced in November an agreement to form a joint venture with Boyu Capital for China retail operations. Source
  • New: China retail assets and liabilities were classified as held for sale in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. Source
  • New: Anand Varadarajan was appointed chief technology officer, effective January 19, 2026. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Global comparable sales rose 4%: Global comparable store sales rose 4%, with comparable transactions up 3% and average ticket up 1%. North America and U.S. comparable sales each rose 4%. Source
  • Revenue rose 6% to $9.9 billion: Consolidated net revenues rose 6% to $9.9 billion, or 5% on a constant currency basis. Source
  • GAAP EPS fell 62%: GAAP diluted EPS was $0.26, down 62% from the prior year, with the tax rate and restructuring costs among the items that were excluded from non-GAAP results. Source
  • Non-GAAP EPS fell 19%: Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $0.56, down 19%, including on a constant currency basis. Source

Segments and regions

  • North America margin fell 480 basis points: North America operating income fell 27% to $867.0 million, with operating margin down to 11.9% from 16.7%, driven by labor investments for Back to Starbucks and inflation. Source
  • North America revenue rose 3%: North America net revenues rose 3% to $7.3 billion on a 4% comparable store sales increase, while the North America store count fell 1% to 18,360. Source
  • International margin expanded 100 basis points: International operating income rose 19% to $282.7 million, and operating margin rose to 13.7%, driven by sales leverage and lower store operating and depreciation costs after the China held-for-sale classification. Source
  • China comparable sales rose 7%: China comparable store sales rose 7%, led by a 5% rise in comparable transactions and a 2% rise in average ticket. Source
  • Channel Development revenue rose 20%: Channel Development net revenues rose 20% to $522.7 million, on Global Coffee Alliance revenue and higher global ready-to-drink revenue. Segment margin fell to 41.3% from 47.7%, citing mix shift and product costs. Source

“It's great to see the sales momentum driven by more customers choosing Starbucks more often, and this is just the beginning”

Brian Niccol, chairman and chief executive officer

Costs, margins and pricing

  • GAAP margin down 290 basis points: GAAP operating margin fell 290 basis points to 9.0%, mainly from labor investments and inflation. Non-GAAP operating margin fell 180 basis points to 10.1%. Source
  • Store operating cost ratio rose: Store operating expenses rose 8.3% to $4,552.3 million and were 55.6% of company-operated store revenues, against 54.0% a year earlier. Source
  • Coffee prices and tariffs add cost: Management attributed inflation in the quarter largely to elevated coffee pricing and tariffs, which affected margins in North America and International. Source
  • Effective tax rate rose to 61.7%: The GAAP effective tax rate was 61.7%, against 23.6%. The non-GAAP rate rose 320 basis points to 26.8%. Source
  • Excluded items reduce non-GAAP results: Restructuring and impairments of $88.1 million and transaction costs of $19.9 million were excluded, giving non-GAAP operating income of $998.8 million, down 11.0%. Source

Demand, products and customers

  • First U.S. transaction growth in eight quarters: The company reported U.S. comparable transaction growth for the first time in eight quarters. U.S. comparable store sales rose 4%, with transactions up 3% and ticket up 1%. Source
  • Average ticket rose outside the U.S.: Average ticket rose 1% in North America and the U.S., and 2% in International and China, where comparable transactions also rose. Source
  • Licensed store revenue fell in North America: North America licensed store revenue fell 8.5% to $643.2 million. Total licensed store revenue was $1,130.4 million, down 0.5%. Source
  • Other revenue rose 25.1%: Other revenue was $596.7 million, up from $476.8 million a year earlier. Source

“With our 'Back to Starbucks' initiatives gaining traction, we have clear line of sight to translating topline strength into sustainable earnings growth that positions us for long-term profitable growth”

Cathy Smith, chief financial officer

Store portfolio and restructuring

  • 128 net new stores opened: The company opened 128 net new stores, ending the quarter at 41,118 stores, 52% company-operated and 48% licensed. Source
  • 165 stores closed under restructuring: Restructuring closures were 162 stores in International, 83 in China and 3 in North America. The total is 165 stores closed under the Back to Starbucks restructuring plan. Source
  • U.S. and China hold 61% of stores: Stores in the U.S. and China comprised 61% of the global portfolio, with 16,911 U.S. stores and 8,011 China stores at quarter end. Source

Cash, dividends and capital

  • Operating cash flow declined: Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,597.7 million, against $2,072.0 million in the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Capital expenditure fell to $323.7 million: Additions to property, plant and equipment were $323.7 million, down from $692.9 million in the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Quarterly dividend of $0.62 declared: The Board declared a $0.62 per share cash dividend, payable February 27, 2026, to holders of record on February 13, 2026. This is the 63rd consecutive quarter of dividend payouts. Source
  • Assets and liabilities held for sale: The balance sheet shows $4,716.6 million of assets and $1,754.6 million of liabilities held for sale, against nil at September 28, 2025. Source

Strategy and China joint venture

  • Boyu Capital joint venture for China retail: Boyu Capital can acquire up to a 60% stake in Starbucks China retail operations. Starbucks keeps a 40% interest and continues to own and license the brand to the new entity. Source
  • Held-for-sale accounting lowers depreciation: Classifying China assets as held for sale stopped their depreciation and right-of-use amortization. This reduced depreciation, amortization and store operating expenses, and transaction costs of $19.9 million were excluded. Source

Leadership and corporate events

  • New chief technology officer appointed: Anand Varadarajan was appointed chief technology officer, effective January 19, 2026. Source
  • Investor Day set for January 29: The company planned a 2026 Investor Day on January 29, with presentations and a question-and-answer session with the executive leadership team. Source
  • Results call hosted by CEO and CFO: The conference call was held at 8:00 a.m. Eastern on the day of the release and hosted by Brian Niccol and Cathy Smith. Source

Coming up, as management said on 28 January 2026

  • Boyu Capital deal expected to close: Management expects the transaction with Boyu Capital to close in the Spring, subject to regulatory approvals. Source
  • Investor Day on January 29: The 2026 Investor Day will be held in person and virtually on January 29, 2026, with presentations and a question-and-answer session. Source
  • Dividend payable February 27: The $0.62 per share dividend is payable February 27, 2026, to holders of record on February 13, 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Comparable store sales (global) Source4%
Comparable store sales (U.S.) Source4%
Comparable store sales (China) Source7%
Traffic (comparable transactions, global) Source3%
Average ticket (global) Source1%
Inventory Source$2,114.4 million at December 28, 2025 (from $2,185.6 million at September 28, 2025)
Store openings (net) Source128 net new stores; 41,118 stores at quarter end
Store closings (restructuring) Source165 stores

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Labor investments for Back to Starbucks contributed to the decline in North America operating margin. Source
  • External: Inflationary pressures from tariffs and elevated coffee pricing raised costs in North America. Source
  • Financial: The GAAP effective tax rate increased because of the discrete impact of changing indefinite reinvestment assertions tied to the China held-for-sale classification. Source
  • Regulatory: Closing of the China joint venture with Boyu Capital depends on regulatory approvals. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Management said it believes the Back to Starbucks strategy is ahead of schedule. Source
  • Not stated: The company expects the Boyu Capital transaction to close in the Spring, subject to regulatory approvals. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.