Staffing
Starbucks pilots assistant manager role
October 22, 2025
Starbucks is making a significant investment in store-level leadership with a pilot program for a dedicated assistant store manager role in North America, Chief Partner Officer Sara Kelly said in a blog published Tuesday.
The move, described as a foundational step in the company's "Back to Starbucks" strategy, is expected to eventually place at least one ASM in nearly every company-operated coffeehouse across the U.S. and Canada by 2026.
The expansion is designed to double the leadership support in thousands of stores and create thousands of new career opportunities for existing employees, Kelly said.
Pilot underway in 3 states
The initial pilot is underway in select locations in California, Illinois and Texas, where 62 employees have taken on the new, full-time dedicated ASM position. The vast majority of these new hires — 90% — are existing shift supervisors and baristas, underscoring the company's focus on internal growth.
"When partners grow, Starbucks grows," Kelly wrote in her post, calling the ASM role a meaningful investment in the core of the business.
The company plans to use the ASM position to give store managers more support in daily operations, team coaching and improving the overall employee and customer experience.
Internal data supports the investment, showing that stores with stable leadership deliver stronger results. Industry data indicates that engaged teams are 17% more productive and 21% more profitable.
Clearer path to advancement
The new role is part of a commitment by Starbucks to fill 90% of its retail leadership roles internally within the next three years.
Early insights from the pilot, which ends in December, show the most engaged coffeehouses saw the strongest interest in the new ASM roles.
"When partners feel supported, they want to step into leadership opportunities," Kelly said.
Starbucks is using the pilot to shape its plans for training and scheduling before the national rollout begins in 2026. Leadership encouraged current baristas and shift supervisors to look for open ASM positions as the expansion starts next year.
