Operations

Starbucks closes fiscal 2026 with 7.9% North America comp gain

Photo: Starbucks

October 29, 2026

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Seattle-based Starbucks ended its fiscal year with a 7.2% increase in global comparable coffeehouse sales for the fourth quarter, with both average ticket and transactions rising.

In North America, comp sales rose 7.9% in the 13-week quarter ended Sept. 27. A 5% increase in average ticket and a 2.7% increase in comparable transactions drove the gain. U.S. comps rose 7.7%. The company said the ticket increase came mainly from product mix, more customers adding food to their orders, pricing and higher delivery sales.

North America segment revenue rose 6% to $7.3 billion. Segment operating margin climbed to 12.3% from 4.5% a year earlier, which the company attributed to lower restructuring costs and sales leverage.

The segment ended the quarter with 18,176 coffeehouses, down 1% from a year earlier. That count reflects 250 closures in the quarter under the company's "Back to Starbucks" restructuring plan.

Internationally, comp sales rose 0.9%. A 3.7% increase in average ticket was partly offset by a 2.8% drop in transactions.

Consolidated net revenues fell 4% to $9.1 billion in the quarter. The company said the decline was mainly due to converting its retail operations in China to a licensed joint venture model.

For the full fiscal year, global comp sales rose 6.2%, driven by a 3.2% increase in transactions and a 3% increase in average ticket. Revenues rose 2% to $37.9 billion.

"Back to Starbucks started as our turnaround plan. Now, it's our growth plan," Brian Niccol, chairman and CEO of Starbucks, said in a company press release.

"In fiscal 2026, we returned to comp growth, expanded margin and delivered stronger earnings, and we intend to build on that progress in fiscal 2027," Cathy Smith, chief financial officer, said in the release.

Starbucks opened 303 net new coffeehouses in the fourth quarter. It ended the period with 41,607 locations worldwide, 32% company-operated and 68% licensed. The 16,781 U.S. coffeehouses make up 40% of the global portfolio.

The company plans to resume share repurchases in fiscal 2027.