Starbucks Reports Q4 and Full Fiscal Year 2025 Results

Business Wire 29-Oct-2025 4:05 PM

Company Delivers Global Comparable Store Sales Growth for the First Time in Seven Quarters

"Back to Starbucks" Strategy Building Momentum with Flat U.S. Comparable Store Sales in Q4 and September Turning Positive

Q4 Consolidated Net Revenues Up 5% to $9.6 Billion

Q4 GAAP EPS $0.12, Non-GAAP EPS $0.52

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) today reported financial results for its 13-week fiscal fourth quarter and 52-week fiscal year ended September 28, 2025. GAAP results in fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024 include items that are excluded from non-GAAP results. Please refer to the reconciliation of GAAP measures to non-GAAP measures at the end of this release for more information.

Q4 Fiscal Year 2025 Highlights

• Global comparable store sales increased 1%, primarily driven by a 1% increase in comparable transactions
  • North America and U.S. comparable store sales were flat, driven by a 1% increase in average ticket, offset by a 1% decline in comparable transactions;
  • International comparable store sales increased 3%, driven by a 6% increase in comparable transactions, partially offset by a 3% decline in average ticket; China comparable store sales increased 2%, driven by a 9% increase in comparable transactions, partially offset by a 7% decline in average ticket
• The company had 107 net store closures in Q4, ending the period with 40,990 stores. This included 627 stores closed as part of our restructuring plan announced on September 25, 2025, of which over 90% were in North America.
  • At the end of Q4, stores in the U.S. and China comprised 61% of the company's global portfolio, with 16,864 and 8,011 stores in the U.S. and China, respectively
• Consolidated net revenues increased 5%, including on a constant currency basis, to $9.6 billion
• GAAP operating margin contracted 1,150 basis points year-over-year to 2.9%, primarily due to restructuring costs associated with the closure of coffeehouses (stores) and simplification of our support organization, inflation, investments in support of "Back to Starbucks", which were largely in labor hours, and deleverage.
  • Non-GAAP operating margin contracted 500 basis points year-over-year, including on a constant currency basis, to 9.4%
• Effective tax rate of 18.8% compared to 23.8% in the prior year. The decrease was primarily driven by lower pre-tax earnings and the proportionate impacts from certain permanent differences and discrete items.
• GAAP earnings per share of $0.12 declined 85% over prior year
  • Non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.52 declined 35% over prior year, or 34% on a constant currency basis

Full Fiscal Year 2025 Highlights

• Global comparable store sales declined 1%, driven by a 2% decline in comparable transactions, partially offset by a 1% increase in average ticket
  • North America and U.S. comparable store sales declined 2%, driven by a 4% decline in comparable transactions, partially offset by a 2% increase in average ticket;
  • International comparable store sales were flat, driven by a 2% increase in comparable transactions, offset by a 2% decline in average ticket; China comparable store sales declined 1%, driven by a 5% decline in average ticket, partially offset by a 4% increase in comparable transactions
• Consolidated net revenues increased 3%, including on a constant currency basis, to $37.2 billion
• GAAP operating margin contracted 710 basis points year-over-year to 7.9%, primarily due to restructuring costs associated with the closure of coffeehouses and simplification of our support organization, deleverage, investments in support of "Back to Starbucks," which were largely in labor hours, and inflation.
  • Non-GAAP operating margin contracted 510 basis points year-over-year to 9.9%, or contracted 500 basis points on a constant currency basis.
• Effective tax rate of 25.9% compared to 24.3% in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to the discrete impact of changes in indefinite reinvestment assertions for certain foreign entities in Q3, partially offset by the discrete impact of a tax status change for a certain foreign entity in Q1.
• GAAP earnings per share of $1.63 declined 51% over prior year
  • Non-GAAP earnings per share of $2.13 declined 36% over prior year, or a 35% decline on a constant currency basis

"We're a year into our ‘Back to Starbucks' strategy, and it's clear that our turnaround is taking hold," commented Brian Niccol, chairman and chief executive officer. "Our return to global comp growth and the momentum we're building give me confidence we're on the right path to deliver the very best of Starbucks for our customers, partners and shareholders."

"Q4 was a milestone quarter in getting ‘Back to Starbucks', having delivered global comp growth for the first time in seven quarters," commented Cathy Smith, chief financial officer. "We know this continues to be a multi-year turnaround. We remain focused on driving our topline while managing the costs that are within our control to deliver durable, sustainable growth and long-term shareholder value."

Q4 North America Segment Results

Net revenues for the North America segment increased 3% over Q4 FY24 to $6.9 billion in Q4 FY25, primarily driven by net new company-operated store growth of 4% over the past 12 months, prior to the restructuring closures late in the quarter. This increase was partially offset by a decline in our licensed store business.

Operating income decreased to $308.5 million in Q4 FY25 compared to $1.3 billion in Q4 FY24. Operating margin of 4.5% contracted from 18.7% in the prior year, primarily due to restructuring costs associated with the closure of coffeehouses and simplification of our support organization, deleverage, investments in support of "Back to Starbucks", which were largely in labor hours, and inflation.

Q4 International Segment Results

Net revenues for the International segment increased 9% over Q4 FY24 to $2.1 billion in Q4 FY25, primarily due to net new company-operated store growth of 5% over the past 12 months, and a 3% increase in comparable store sales, driven by a 6% increase in comparable transactions, partially offset by a 3% decline in average ticket. Also contributing was incremental net revenue from the acquisition of a U.K. licensed business partner and an increase in our licensed store business revenue.

Operating income decreased to $223.2 million in Q4 FY25 compared to $282.9 million in Q4 FY24. Operating margin of 10.8% contracted from 14.9% in the prior year, primarily driven by costs associated with the closure of coffeehouses and simplification of our support organization and increased promotional activity.

Q4 Channel Development Segment Results

Net revenues for the Channel Development segment increased 17% over Q4 FY24 to $542.6 million in Q4 FY25, primarily due to an increase in revenue in the Global Coffee Alliance.

Operating income increased to $265.2 million in Q4 FY25 compared to $264.7 million in Q4 FY24. Operating margin of 48.9% contracted from 56.9% in the prior year, primarily driven by a decline in our North American Coffee Partnership joint venture income and mix shift, partially offset by favorable global product costs.

Company Update

1. In September, we announced a restructuring plan involving the closure of coffeehouses, and the further transformation of our support organization, as part of the Company's "Back to Starbucks" strategy. We assessed our existing store portfolio with respect to both whether coffeehouses had a viable path to offering the physical environment consistent with the brand and a clear path to financial performance. We closed the coffeehouses that did not meet these criteria.
2. In October, the company announced Pilar Ramos as executive vice president and chief legal officer of Starbucks, effective early November 2025.
3. In September, the company opened the first Spain flagship store inside Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The opening in Madrid's global destination is a symbol of community connections and offers an immersive coffee experience.
4. In September, the company announced that Starbucks is the official coffee partner of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Team USA.
5. The Board declared a cash dividend of $0.62 per share, payable on November 28, 2025, to shareholders of record on November 14, 2025. The company had 62 consecutive quarters of dividend payouts with CAGR of 18% over that time period, demonstrating the company's commitment to consistent value creation for shareholders.

Conference Call

Starbucks will hold a conference call today at 1:15 p.m. Pacific Time to discuss its results. It will be hosted by Brian Niccol, chairman and ceo, and Cathy Smith, cfo. The call will be webcast and can be accessed on the company's Investor Relations website at http://investor.starbucks.com. A replay of the webcast will be available until end of day Friday, December 12, 2025.

The company uses its website as a tool to disclose important information about the company and comply with its disclosure obligations under Regulation Fair Disclosure.

About Starbucks

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with more than 40,000 stores worldwide, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at about.starbucks.com or www.starbucks.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein and in our investor conference call related to these results and progress towards our "Back to Starbucks" plan are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. Generally, these statements can be identified by the use of words such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "feel," "forecast," "intend," "may," "outlook," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "seek," "should," "will," "would," and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors (many beyond our control) that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our historical experience or from our current expectations or projections. Our forward-looking statements, and the risks and uncertainties related thereto, include, but are not limited to, those described under the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the company's most recently filed periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and in other filings with the SEC, as well as, among others:

• our ability to preserve, grow, and leverage our brands;
• the impact of our brand, marketing, promotional, advertising and pricing strategies, platforms, reformulations, innovations, or customer experience initiatives or investments;
• the costs and risks associated with, and the successful and timely execution and effects of, our existing and any future business opportunities, expansions, initiatives, strategies, investments, and plans, including our "Back to Starbucks"(and restructuring) plan;
• the costs and risks associated with, and the successful execution and effects of, strategic changes to our ownership and operating structure, including as a result of acquisitions, divestitures, other strategic transactions or entry into joint ventures;
• our ability to align our investment efforts with our strategic goals;
• evolving consumer preferences, demand, consumption, or spending behavior, reduction in discretionary spending and price increases, and our ability to anticipate or react to these changes;
• the ability of our business partners, suppliers, and third-party providers to fulfill their responsibilities and commitments and our reliance on certain key business partners and suppliers;
• the potential negative effects of food or beverage-safety incidents or product recalls, and any perceived association with such incidents;
• our ability to open new stores and efficiently maintain the attractiveness of our existing stores and manage related costs;
• our heavy reliance on the financial performance of our North America operating segment and our dependence on the performance and growth of certain international markets;
• our ability to operate and successfully expand our footprint in international markets, which is influenced by factors distinct from our North America operating segment;
• inherent risks of operating a global business, including changing conditions in our markets, local factors affecting store openings, protectionist trade or foreign investment policies, such as tariffs and import/export regulations, economic or trade sanctions, compliance with local laws and other regulations, and local labor policies and conditions, including labor strikes and work stoppages;
• higher costs, lower quality, or unavailability of coffee, dairy, cocoa, energy, water, raw materials, or product ingredients and related volatility;
• the ability of our supply chain to meet current or future business needs and our ability to scale and improve our forecasting, planning, production, and logistics management;
• the potential impact on our supply chain and operations of adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, or significant increases in logistics costs;
• a worsening in the terms and conditions upon which we engage with our manufacturers and source suppliers;
• the impact of unfavorable macro-economic conditions and other factors, including economic slowdowns or recessions, rising real estate costs, supply chain disruptions, climate change and extreme weather events, inflection and interest rate fluctuations, government shutdowns, labor unrest, geopolitical instability, disruptions in credit markets and foreign current exchange rate volatility;
• failure to meet market expectations for our financial performance or any announced guidance and the impact thereof;
• failure to attract or retain key executive or partner talent;
• changes in the availability and cost of labor, including any union organizing efforts and our responses to such efforts;
• the impact of, and our ability to respond to, substantial competition from new entrants, consolidations by competitors, and other competitive activities, such as pricing actions (including price reductions, promotions, discounting, couponing, or free goods), marketing, category expansion, product introductions, or entry or expansion in our geographic markets;
• potential impacts of climate change;
• evolving corporate governance and public disclosure regulations and expectations;
• the potential impact of activist shareholder actions or tactics;
• failure to comply with applicable laws and complex and changing legal and regulatory requirements, including in privacy and data protection;
• the impact or likelihood of significant legal disputes and proceedings or government investigations;
• the unauthorized access, use, theft, or destruction of our data, or of our proprietary or confidential information and the impact thereof;
• potential negative effects of, and our ability to respond to, a material failure, inadequacy, or interruption of our information technology systems or those of our third-party business partners or service providers, or failure to comply with data protection laws; and
• our ability to adequately protect our intellectual property or adequately ensure that we are not infringing the intellectual property of others.

In addition, many of the foregoing risks and uncertainties are, or could be, exacerbated by any worsening of the global business and economic environment. A forward-looking statement is neither a prediction nor a guarantee of future events or circumstances, and those future events or circumstances may not occur. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. We are under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Key Metrics

We believe the company's financial results and long-term growth model will continue to be driven by new store openings, comparable store sales growth and operating margin management. We believe these key operating metrics are useful to investors because management uses these metrics to assess the growth of our business and the effectiveness of our marketing and operational strategies.

Supplemental Information

The following supplemental information is provided for historical and comparative purposes.