Starbucks Raises 2026 Outlook as Turnaround Strategy Boosts Sales and Earnings

Starbucks (SBUX) has lifted its full-year fiscal 2026 guidance, signaling growing confidence in its ongoing turnaround strategy under CEO Brian Niccol. The global coffee giant now expects comparable-store sales growth of at least 5% worldwide and in the U.S., alongside projected adjusted earnings per share ranging from $2.25 to $2.45.

The upgraded outlook follows a strong second-quarter performance, where Starbucks reported a 6.2% increase in global same-store sales. This growth was driven by a 3.8% rise in customer transactions and a 2.3% increase in average spending per visit, reflecting improved customer engagement and pricing strength.

Starbucks’ turnaround plan, led by Niccol, centers on enhancing in-store efficiency through a simplified menu and shorter wait times. These operational improvements have helped attract more customers back to its core U.S. market. Additionally, the company introduced its “Back to Starbucks” initiative, which includes better employee compensation and efforts to improve staff retention and consistency across stores. These changes come amid ongoing labor discussions with unionized baristas in parts of the U.S.

Financially, Starbucks exceeded expectations in the second quarter. Consolidated net revenue climbed 9% year-over-year to $9.5 billion, beating analyst estimates of $9.12 billion. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.50, surpassing forecasts by $0.08. Meanwhile, the company’s operating margin improved to 9.4%, marking a 120 basis-point increase compared to the previous year.

CEO Brian Niccol noted that the latest quarter represents a turning point for Starbucks, with the company delivering both revenue and profit growth. He emphasized that the ongoing strategy aims to create a better customer experience while driving long-term value for shareholders.

Starbucks stock showed mixed movement, closing slightly lower at $97.28 before rising more than 5% in after-hours trading, reflecting investor optimism about the company’s future growth trajectory.