Starbucks Posts First Same-Store Growth in Seven Quarters

Starbucks reported its first global same-store sales gain in seven quarters, with global comps up 1% for the quarter ended Sept. 28—flat in the U.S. and about +3% internationally. Revenue rose roughly 5–5.5% to about $9.6 billion, but net income plunged about 85% to roughly $133 million and adjusted EPS of $0.52 missed estimates after the company absorbed roughly $1 billion in restructuring charges tied to 627 store closures and about 900 corporate job cuts. Management said its Back to Starbucks turnaround—closing underperforming stores, simplifying menus, boosting staffing, retraining baristas and adding new menu items—is beginning to take hold but will be a multi‑year effort, and it is delaying fuller guidance until January. Executives warned that rising coffee-bean costs, tariffs and climate-related supply disruptions are squeezing margins and said they expect U.S. comps to build over the year while cautioning recoveries will not be linear. The results drew a mixed market reaction and come amid ongoing restructuring and labor/union pressure.