Starbucks sees quarterly sales growth as CEO advances turnaround plan

Starbucks posted positive results for its fourth quarter as United States sales exceeded expectations, World Coffee Portal reported on 29 October 2026. Chief Executive Officer Brian Niccol told investors that the coffee chain is ahead of schedule to meet its 2028 fiscal targets, calling the Back to Starbucks turnaround strategy its core growth plan after a fifth consecutive quarter of positive trends. [1]

The company forecasts profit above expectations due to cost cuts and technology upgrades under Niccol, according to Pluang. New York Post reported that Niccol is introducing new ideas to improve customer service using artificial intelligence and other technologies. However, World Coffee Portal noted that revenues for the international business remain heavily weighed down by a stake sale in China. [1][2][4]

Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Starbucks was founded in 1971 at Pike Place Market as a coffee bean wholesaler before expanding into a global coffeehouse network. The company established a broad international presence, though it has faced labor unionization drives and operational shifts in recent years. [5][7]

Niccol joined Starbucks after previously serving as the chief executive of Chipotle for six years until September 2024, as FTMQ Food reported earlier. His current operational focus centres on store-level technology integration and operational efficiency to secure long-term financial targets. [1][2][4][8]