Today, Starbucks hosted its 30th annual meeting of shareholders virtually. Mellody Hobson, Starbucks Board of Directors chair, joined Kevin Johnson, president and chief executive officer, for opening remarks following today’s news that Johnson made the personal decision to retire from Starbucks after 13 years of service.

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Following opening remarks, Johnson, joined by several members of the leadership team and green apron partners (employees) from around the world, went on to outline Starbucks continued investments and aspirations for people and the planet, and the company’s optimism for a future rooted in humanity, fueled by innovation, and architected by green apron partners.

Here are the important things to know about today’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders:

Starbucks announces leadership transition

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Earlier today, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2022/starbucks-announces-leadership-transition/">Starbucks announced that Kevin Johnson intends to retire</a> after a 13-year tenure at the company, including the last five years as ceo. Johnson will transition from his current role effective April 4, 2022 and will continue to serve as a Starbucks partner and special consultant to the company and Board of Directors through September. To ensure seamless stewardship of the company until a permanent successor is named, the Board has appointed Howard Schultz as interim chief executive officer, effective April 4, 2022.

Building on the rich heritage of the company, Johnson established the People Positive, Planet Positive and Profit Positive framework that seeks to create a better world for Starbucks partners, farmers, customers and the communities it serves. He expanded the company’s reach through the Global Coffee Alliance with Nestlé, which now operates in nearly 80 markets, and established and executed the Growth at Scale agenda that significantly increased shareholder value.

Helping customers and partners divert waste from the landfill

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Starbucks has spent the last few years testing, learning, and preparing to scale initiatives that help protect the planet as the company looks to a resource positive future. With a focus on waste reduction, Starbucks announced customers will be able to use their own personal reusable cup for every Starbucks visit in the U.S. and Canada – including in-store, in the drive-thru and via mobile order and pay – by the end of 2023. This is a big deal because currently, personal reusable cups are only accepted in-store. By 2025, Starbucks wants to create a cultural movement towards reusables by giving customers easy access to either a personal or a Starbucks-provided reusable cup for every visit.

And because Starbucks knows that putting items in the correct bin has a huge impact on diverting waste from the landfill, the company has also launched a waste and recycling app, developed by partners to navigate the ins-and-outs of recycling guidelines for their local store. Across Starbucks stores in the United States and Canada, there are over 440 unique ways to recycle, and previous to the app’s launch, over 8,000 of our stores were already doing some form of recycling. Learn more <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2022/starbucks-innovates-tests-and-learns-from-store-partners-to-achieve-waste-goals/">here</a>.

Recharge yourself and your car at Starbucks

Currently, Starbucks company-operated stores in the U.S. are powered with 100% renewable energy, and now we get to help power our customers cars with renewable energy. Beginning this summer, Volvo electric vehicle chargers, powered by ChargePoint, will be available at up to 15 Starbucks stores along a 1,350-mile route from the Colorado Rockies to the Starbucks Support Center (headquarters) in Seattle. We know infrastructure is the primary reason customers hesitate or decide not to purchase an electric vehicle. By providing charging infrastructure customers can count on, we are hoping to remove that barrier with the added benefit of being able to order your favorite Starbucks beverage while you wait. 

Supporting communities around the world and being a People Positive company

Starbucks is committed to being People Positive – a bold aspiration to enhance the well-being of one billion people who connect with Starbucks by 2030 – rooted in opportunity, inclusion, and community. Starbucks, in partnership with The Starbucks Foundation, has committed to a series of announcements to support the People Positive aspiration and strengthen communities around the world, including:

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As part of the company’s goal to enhance the well-being of all who connect with Starbucks the company plans to open or dedicate 1,000 Starbucks Community Stores by 2030, building on the 150 already open around the globe. These stores seek to uplift communities by offering locally relevant programs and experiences that directly impact the neighborhoods they serve. Starbucks community stores deliver economic opportunity through local hiring and artist collaborations, working with diverse contractors, and creating spaces for people to come together or support local veterans and military families.

A more inclusive and accessible Starbucks Experience

Announced <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2022/starbucks-paves-way-for-more-inclusive-and-accessible-experiences-in-stores-around-the-world/">earlier this week,</a> Starbucks has committed to implementing physical and digital experiences that meet an elevated standards of accessibility by 2030. These new standards will offer customers more ways to communicate (visually, audibly and tactically) and provide more tools to navigate physical store environments. To advance these standards, Starbucks is testing technology solutions in select store locations including speech-to-text technology that provides a visual display for partners and customers placing or picking up an order, as well as new in-store order boards that update customers when their order is ready.

These efforts build on other accessibility offerings, including free <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2021/starbucks-offers-aira-creating-accessible-experience-for-blind-and-low-vision-customers/">Aira</a> service for blind or low-vision customers, large-print and Braille menus at all stores in the U.S. and Canada, and the 11 Signing Stores that Starbucks operates globally, where baristas can connect to customers who are deaf or hard of hearing through sign language.

Introducing: Starbucks Clover Vertica Brewer

Starbucks has spent more than 50 years on a journey to perfect coffee and Starbucks is continuing its mission to innovate around coffee equipment and brewing. Starbucks will continue raising the bar on coffee by introducing our new proprietary single cup, on-demand brewer, Clover Vertica™, which reimagines the brewed coffee experience for partners (baristas) and customers by delivering a single cup of freshly brewed coffee with exquisite, beautifully pronounced flavors – in less than 30 seconds. The Clover Vertica™ brewer started rolling out this calendar year.

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Top things to know about Starbucks 2022 shareholders meeting - Starbucks Stories EMEA

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Top things to know about Starbucks 2022 shareholders meeting

Today, Starbucks hosted its 30th annual meeting of shareholders virtually. Mellody Hobson, Starbucks Board of Directors chair, joined Kevin Johnson, president and chief executive officer, for opening remarks following today’s news that Johnson made the personal decision to retire from Starbucks after 13 years of service. Following opening remarks, Johnson, joined by several members of the […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2022/top-things-to-know-about-starbucks-2022-shareholders-meeting/

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The first Starbucks Reserve Bar in Malta opens in the centre of Valletta, the country’s capital. Serving freshly roasted coffee shipped directly from the Starbucks Reserve Roastery Milano. The store is Starbucks seventh in the country.

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When Starbucks opened its first-ever store in Malta in 2019, it paid tribute to the Maltese culture both in the design of the spaces and through Starbucks food offering, embracing the uniqueness of the tradition and culture of Malta. The same criteria have been followed for the first arrival of Starbucks Reserve Bar in Valletta. Located in a traditional Maltese building, the store has been carefully designed to complement the existing architecture and finishes of the original building.

Local customers are invited to visit the store to enjoy Starbucks high-quality arabica coffee, prepared using the Black Eagle coffee machine. The state-of-the-art machine provides customers with advanced customisation options, such as adjusting the bean ratio, brewing time, and water temperature – all operated by highly skilled baristas.

Inspired by the Arriviamo Bar in the Milan Roastery and the tradition of the Italian aperitivo (early evening social cocktails paired with small bites), the store will also feature a mixology bar, serving an assortment of traditional and unique cocktails ranging from classics like Aperol Spritz to coffee-inspired creations.

Starbucks Milan Roastery became Starbucks first Roastery store in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa in 2018, offering customers the opportunity to discover the art and science of coffee. At the heart of Starbucks premium Reserve brand are the rare and exotic high-quality arabica coffees, ethically sourced from more than 30 countries around the world. These premium coffees will now be available to customers in Malta at Starbucks Mixology Reserve Bar.

Customers can experience a true articulation of creativity, as our handcrafted cocktails weave the skill of bartender and barista into a single art. In the hands of our mixologists, our rare and remarkable coffees inspire a boundary-breaking experience for the senses.

Malcolm Saliba, Starbucks® Director of Operations at db Group, said:&nbsp;“We are so excited to bring the Starbucks® Reserve Experience to Malta for the first time and become a part of the local community. It’s with great pride that we can share this rare selection of arabica coffees and are able to offer a new coffee experience with different brewing methods and hand-crafted cocktails.”

“The team will continue to closely follow the latest guidance from both the government and health authorities to keep everyone safe.”

Starbucks Malta opens first Reserve Bar - Starbucks Stories EMEA

The first Starbucks Reserve Bar in Malta opens in the centre of Valletta, the country’s capital. Serving freshly roasted coffee shipped directly from the Starbucks Reserve Roastery Milano. The store is Starbucks seventh in the country. When Starbucks opened its first-ever store in Malta in 2019, it paid tribute to the Maltese culture both in […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2022/starbucks-malta-opens-first-reserve-bar/

Starbucks Malta opens first Reserve Bar

Exclusively developed to optimise the flavour of oat dairy alternative, for 2022 Starbucks is ringing in the new year with a brand-new beverage innovation that’s all about the Oat.

Arriving in three bold and vibrant flavours – Strawberry &amp; Vanilla, Honey &amp; Hazelnut and Dark Cocoa &amp; Orange, each handcrafted coffee in the new range has oat dairy alternative at its core to enhance the distinctive flavour combination. Paired with Starbucks Blonde® Roast – a lighter roasted espresso with a smooth body and citrusy notes – the platform will see the addition of new dairy alternative beverages for future seasons as part of our ongoing work to expand our plant-based menu.

Alongside the arrival of the new Oat platform, 2022 also sees Starbucks announce that from 5 January, it will no longer charge extra for any of its five dairy alternatives in any of its 1,020 UK stores.

Starbucks UK proudly serves a broad offering of five dairy alternative options, including oat, soya, almond, coconut, and our exclusive <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/make-your-next-one-starbucks-original-nut-blend/">Starbucks Original™ Nut Blend</a>, specially crafted to pair with our espresso and deliver velvety foam with an oh so creamy flavour. With customisation at Starbucks core, this latest menu change will provide increased personalisation options and make it even easier for customers to choose whichever dairy alternative or milk they prefer, all year round.

Forming part of our wider ambition to become a <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/starbucks-announces-multi-decade-aspiration-to-become-resource-positive/">resource positive</a> company, Starbucks work to migrate to a more environmentally friendly menu includes last month’s announcement of a <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/starbucks-to-work-directly-with-farmers-to-help-reduce-emissions/">sustainable dairy sourcing programme with Arla Foods</a> to reduce the emissions from dairy.

Increasing menu options for customers, last year Starbucks also introduced a vegan alternative to whipped cream, the Vegan Whipped Topping, as well as a vegan reformulation of the Pumpkin Spice Latte in 2019.

All crafted with Starbucks Blonde® Roast – a lighter roasted espresso created by Starbucks master blenders and roasters with more than 50 years of roasting experience – which has a smooth body balanced with citrusy notes

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In the UK for 2022, Starbucks new vegan and veggie food options include the brand-new and exclusive Tu’NAH Sandwich, Starbucks® first plant-based fish alternative, as well as new plant-based afternoon treats such as the Pecan &amp; Caramel Brownie, Carrot Cake and Chocolate &amp; Caramel Muffin.

Available for a limited time, from the 5 January, at all Starbucks®&nbsp;stores and Drive&nbsp;Thrus&nbsp;across the UK, as well as on the Starbucks® UK App, and on Starbucks® Delivers via <a href="https://deliveroo.co.uk/brands/starbucks">Deliveroo</a>, <a href="https://www.just-eat.co.uk/takeaway/brands/starbucks?gclid=CjwKCAiAs92MBhAXEiwAXTi2559-u7iqZIm5c3xxhGDfObTJYX1j9lYyYRc3lNsdU_9EBf5-rtmlXRoCdcMQAvD_BwE&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds">Just Eat</a> and <a href="https://www.ubereats.com/gb/brand/starbucks?utm_source=AdWords_Brand&amp;utm_campaign=CM2058361-search-google-brand_184_-99_GB-National_e_web_acq_cpc_en-GB_SBX_BMM_%2Bstarbucks%20%2Bmenu%20%2Bubereats_kwd-1160100166734_485735190226_109533409850_b_c&amp;campaign_id=11298846134&amp;adg_id=109533409850&amp;fi_id=&amp;match=b&amp;net=g&amp;dev=c&amp;dev_m=&amp;ad_id=485735190226&amp;cre=485735190226&amp;kwid=kwd-1160100166734&amp;kw=%2Bstarbucks%20%2Bmenu%20%2Bubereats&amp;placement=&amp;tar=&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAs92MBhAXEiwAXTi255jdEKHo8PbLb8Nu1ArDR095KKoaT2phTVivBtorUsvRA3U5VqJDiRoCXGMQAvD_BwE&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds">Uber Eats</a> in over 560 stores across the UK.

New year, new platform: Starbucks UK introduces unique new Oat Latte platform – and makes all dairy alternatives free, all year round - Starbucks Stories EMEA

New year, new platform: Starbucks UK introduces unique new Oat Latte platform – and makes all dairy alternatives free, all year round

Exclusively developed to optimise the flavour of oat dairy alternative, for 2022 Starbucks is ringing in the new year with a brand-new beverage innovation that’s all about the Oat. Arriving in three bold and vibrant flavours – Strawberry &amp; Vanilla, Honey &amp; Hazelnut and Dark Cocoa &amp; Orange, each handcrafted coffee in the new range […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/dairy-alternatives-price-parity-uk/

Today, Starbucks announced it is offering free Tall beverages to all NHS staff, on Wednesday 15 December, to thank them for their work this year.

Available all day for one day only, NHS staff can order any handcrafted Tall beverage of their choice from Starbucks stores across Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) when they show their work identity card in store.

The offer is part of an ongoing partnership between Starbucks and NHS Charities Together, which sees each Starbucks store across Great Britain paired with one of over 230 local NHS charities, to help support staff, patients, and communities across the UK. Support provided by NHS Charities Together includes counselling, helplines, and peer-to-peer support for staff, as well as projects that support the long-term recovery of the NHS, and reduce health inequalities in local communities.

Ellie Orton OBE, Chief Executive at NHS Charities Together, said, “We’re incredibly grateful for the continued support from Starbucks. Their free Tall beverage initiative and in-store fundraising enable employees and customers everywhere to show their appreciation and thanks to NHS workers and can make a vital difference. Winter is always an incredibly challenging time for the NHS – and this is one of the toughest ever – which is why ongoing public support is so important.”

Alex Rayner, general manager, Starbucks UK, said, “Starbucks is committed to strengthening the communities we serve in, and as part of our ongoing partnership with NHS Charities Together we wanted to say a huge festive thank you to the NHS staff that live and work in our communities.”

Starbucks has a long history of supporting the NHS, with ongoing activity including:

As part of wider community support for NHS Charities Together in the run-up to Christmas, Starbucks customers are also able to donate optional sums of £3, £5, or £10 via QR codes in-store throughout December.

On 15 December, NHS workers can choose any Tall beverage from the menu, from festive favourites* and espresso-based classics to iced beverages, all made with responsibly sourced, high-quality arabica coffee. With millions of customisation options available in-store, there’s a handcrafted beverage for everyone at Starbucks.

NHS workers are also encouraged to make the change by bringing in their own reusable cup to enjoy their free Tall beverage.

Starbucks store teams continue to closely follow the latest guidance from both the government and health authorities to keep everyone safe.

Starbucks UK says thank you to NHS workers this Christmas with free Tall beverage - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Starbucks UK says thank you to NHS workers this Christmas with free Tall beverage

At Starbucks, on Wednesday 15 December, all NHS workers can order a free Tall beverage of their choice by showing their NHS identity card, available at all Starbucks stores across Great Britain. The offer aims to thank NHS staff for their work across the country this year, and forms part of Starbucks’ ongoing partnership with […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/nhsct/

Saudi Arabia’s first to-go store becomes the 4000th&nbsp; to open in Europe, Middle East and Africa region

It may have a small footprint but this store, in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh, has a big presence, brimming with a beautiful interior and green apron partners ready to serve&nbsp;up customers'&nbsp;favourite coffees to-go.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia’s first takeaway-only Starbucks store, the Boulevard Riyadh, serves as a landmark moment for the region, highlighting all the ways in which Starbucks is adapting to meet the&nbsp;changing needs of customers to bring the&nbsp;Starbucks Experience&nbsp;to them&nbsp;wherever they are and however they want it,&nbsp;through ethically sourced coffee.

This express retail experience integrates Starbucks physical and digital customer touchpoints, combining the signature Starbucks store experience with quick and easy&nbsp;ordering in person and via Starbucks Delivers™. The streamlined experience allows customers to conveniently get their favorite Starbucks beverages and food on-the-go or&nbsp;brought to them.&nbsp;

Opening a variety of store formats that are relevant to customers and the local community enables Starbucks to unlock the brand and bring Starbucks welcoming ‘Third&nbsp;Place’ to more people and in more places. The past 18+ months have seen immense change as we continue to navigate the global pandemic, and Starbucks is accelerating&nbsp;store design and transformation plans to meet evolving consumer needs. Blending the signature Starbucks café environment with new on-the-go experiences, such as the&nbsp;one at Boulevard Riyadh, allows Starbucks to leverage and adapt stores to best serve customers and meet them where they are in their day.

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Located within The Boulevard Riyadh, in the North of the city, the new store is within an area best known for its shopping and socialising. Referred to locally as 'Times&nbsp;Square' due to its likeness to the New York namesake, the Boulevard is illuminated with vast LED panels stretching across the skyscrapers. These mesmerizing&nbsp;lights&nbsp;continue in store with illuminated circles on the ceiling, a representation of Starbucks thick and creamy Cold Foam, and the corrugated interior is a nod to&nbsp;Starbucks signature Cold Brew and Nitro Cold Brew – a true celebration of Starbucks iced coffee craft.&nbsp;

This year marks another landmark for Starbucks: 50 years since the first store opened in Seattle’s iconic Pike Place Market. This 50th&nbsp;anniversary year, Starbucks has been embracing its Mission and Values to lay the foundation for the next 50 years. A future based on the&nbsp;betterment of both its people and the planet.&nbsp;&nbsp;

2021 also marks 21 years since the opening of Saudi Arabia’s first Starbucks store. Starbucks in the Middle East is operated in partnership with the Alshaya Group, who hold the exclusive license for operating and developing the Starbucks brand across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), bringing the Starbucks Experience and Mission and Values to the local communities we serve. Opening the doors of EMEA’s 4000th store, Starbucks welcomes you.

4000th Store Opens in EMEA - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Saudi Arabia’s first to-go store becomes the 4000th&nbsp; to open in Europe, Middle East and Africa region It may have a small footprint but this store, in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh, has a big presence, brimming with a beautiful interior and green apron partners ready to serve&nbsp;up customers&#8217;&nbsp;favourite coffees to-go.&nbsp; Saudi Arabia’s first takeaway-only Starbucks […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/4000th-store-opens-in-emea/

4000th Store Opens in EMEA

With dairy emissions accounting for 22% of Starbucks global carbon emissions, the coffee chain has partnered with farmer owned dairy cooperative Arla Foods to work on a three-year pilot to create an industry-leading sustainable sourcing blueprint. This blueprint will go on to support its dairy suppliers across Starbucks Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).

Arla’s farmer-owners are some of the most carbon-efficient dairy farmers in the world, already <a href="https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/4a483c/globalassets/sustainability/forward-thinking-dairy/arla-climate-checks-report.pdf">producing milk with around half the emissions of the global average</a>, making them the obvious choice to help Starbucks meet its aspiration to become resource positive.

The pilot will see Starbucks work directly with 14 Arla farmers in the UK to identify innovative new farming practices and industry-leading methods to significantly reduce the emissions associated with dairy production. Starbucks and the selected Arla farmers will focus on three key areas: environmental stewardship, animal health and welfare, and ensuring profitability for the farmers through the industry-leading Arla UK 360 farm standards programme.

The sourcing blueprint will be underscored by Arla’s sustainability research and development work, and independently validated by a third party, who will help support and advise on developing industry best practices.

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Alex Rayner, General Manager at Starbucks UK, said: “This partnership with Arla and the dairy farming community underpins our commitment to produce high quality and responsibly sourced products.

“Starbucks and Arla share a commitment to upholding the highest standards in agriculture. As a farmer-owned business, Arla’s approach – including their cooperative principles – make them the right partner for us.

“Purchasing sustainable dairy is integral to our work expanding our environmentally friendly menu options while enhancing the Starbucks Experience. Customising beverages has and always will be at the heart of Starbucks, and this programme will help ensure that best practice carbon reduction strategies are being implemented across our entire milk and dairy alternative selection."

The 9,400 dairy farmers that own Arla Foods have been working to produce more sustainable dairy for over two decades. At the heart of its production methods are emissions reductions, actions that boost natural cycles, and a commitment to some of the highest standards of animal welfare. These on-farm methods go on to produce some of Britain’s best-loved dairy products such as Lurpak and Arla Cravendale.

Speaking on the announcement, Graham Wilkinson, Group Senior Agriculture Director at Arla Foods comments, “It is a huge testament to the sustainable farming practice of our owners that Starbucks has chosen Arla to support its sustainable sourcing development work. Our carbon net-zero ambition recognises the importance of both lowering emissions and providing a helping hand to nature, but it is hugely important that Starbucks has also acknowledged the importance of taking a farmer-first approach to deliver this.

“I hope it also provides reassurance to Starbucks customers to know that behind every cup is a combined effort to support farmers to run profitable and sustainable dairy farms.”

Mark Glanvill is one of the Dairy farmers who has been selected to be part of the programme. He farms in the Southwest of England with 280 cows on a farm that has been passed down through generations of his family since 1816. Mark works to keep his carbon footprint as low as possible, with a particular focus on limiting the feed brought on farm, using natural fertilisers and reducing chemical usage wherever possible. Like most Arla farmers, he calculates his carbon footprint annually to identify ongoing areas where he can continue reducing his emissions.

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Starbucks will also be working with scientists from <a href="https://www.nature.org/en-us/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.nature.org/en-us/">Th</a><a href="https://www.nature.org/en-us/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.nature.org/en-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">e Nature Conservancy</a>, a global, and environmental stewardship non-profit who will support the partnership.

Forming work to meet Starbucks’ ongoing commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030 globally and become a <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/starbucks-announces-multi-decade-aspiration-to-become-resource-positive/">resource positive</a> company, this collaboration with Arla also serves to help meet Arla’s science-based targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent per kilo of milk over the next decade and to reach carbon net-zero by 2050.

Starbucks to work directly with farmers to help reduce emissions - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Starbucks to work directly with farmers to help reduce emissions

From January 2022, Arla and Starbucks will develop and pilot a new sustainable dairy sourcing blueprint for Starbucks, designed to help reduce the coffee chains carbon emissions from dairy At the end of the three-year pilot, Starbucks hopes to scale the blueprint to support Starbucks dairy suppliers across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The […]

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As we crown a new EMEA Barista Champion, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/lebanons-cynthia-khattar-crowned-barista-champion-2021/">Cynthia Khattar from Lebanon</a>, we took a trip to South Africa to catch up with the partner passing Cynthia the golden pitcher and purple apron: <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2019/south-africa-scoops-the-title-of-2019-emea-barista-champion/">Teddy Nzama</a>.

Teddy scooped the title of best barista across Europe, the Middle East and Africa in 2019 and held the title for nearly 24 months. 

What was Teddy's life like before Starbucks, how did he become a champion, and what has been happening since? This is Teddy's journey...

Behind the Green Apron

Behind the Green Apron Archives - Starbucks Stories EMEA

https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/behind-the-green-apron/

Teddy's Journey - Starbucks Stories EMEA

The Life of a Champion As we crown a new EMEA Barista Champion, Cynthia Khattar from Lebanon, we took a trip to South Africa to catch up with the partner passing Cynthia the golden pitcher and purple apron: Teddy Nzama. Teddy scooped the title of best barista across Europe, the Middle East and Africa in […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/teddys-journey-barista-champion/

Teddy’s Journey

It might have been raining in England, but at Starbucks iconic Tower Place store in London, there was still plenty to smile about, as partners from 26 countries across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa competed in the finals to become this year’s 2021 EMEA Barista Champion.

Streaming in real-time online for the very first time assessible to over 40,000 partners from across the region, the day kicked off with presenter Simon Thomas and Duncan Moir, president of EMEA, live from London, welcoming each of the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/meet-your-top-16-finalists-for-the-emea-barista-championship-2021/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/meet-your-top-16-finalists-for-the-emea-barista-championship-2021/" target="_blank">16 finalists</a> from their homes across the region, from Russia to France, South Africa to Denmark.

Broadcast for the very first time, in our 50th anniversary year, audiences got a real-time behind-the-scenes peek into the magic behind the screen, as Simon Thomas squeezed through high-tech camera set-ups to take viewers through a tour of the newly refurbished store, its state-of-the-art <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/new-reserve-bar-in-londons-tower-place/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/new-reserve-bar-in-londons-tower-place/" target="_blank">Reserve bar</a>, and specialty erected green screen.

Before judging began, Simon was put through his paces with his very own coffee tasting, led by Robert Lynch, Lois and Natalie, in which Simon took “his first-ever slurp on TV”.

And then it was time for the battle to begin, as 16 candidates were whittled down to just four finalists through a grueling Latte Art Throwdown head-to-head, in which viewers at home, across all our 43 markets, voted for their favourite.

Finally, we were down to the final four: Italy, Lebanon, Austria, and South Africa, leading judges from across the business to make the nerve-wracking final call on this year’s winner… Cynthia Khattar from Lebanon!

Panning to her store in Mansourieh near Beirut, Cynthia’s partners rushed on-screen to celebrate, a three-year partner with Alshaya whose passion for coffee began when she watched her barista trainer pour a latte art finish, inspiring years of practice, research, and refining, and now see her crowned Barista Champion 2021.&nbsp;

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The accolade no doubt comes as welcome news to Lebanon, where <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2020/starbucks-foundation-and-alshaya-group-donate-to-lebanon-disaster-relief-efforts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">just over a year ago </a>partners in the country’s capital Beirut experienced one of the world’s largest-ever non-nuclear explosions.

As part of her win, Cynthia will receive her very own coffee named after her, made at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Milan, in its own limited edition bag design.

A stellar victory for a deserved champ, we can’t wait to see what Cynthia does next… but if one thing’s for sure, it will likely involve the copious amount of coffee.

We leave you with some extended highlights from the EMEA Barista Championship 2021:

Lights, Camera, Action: Lebanon’s Cynthia Khattar crowned Barista Champion 2021, live from Central London - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Lights, Camera, Action: Lebanon’s Cynthia Khattar crowned Barista Champion 2021, live from Central London

Updated: 22 November 2021 It might have been raining in England, but at Starbucks iconic Tower Place store in London, there was still plenty to smile about, as partners from 26 countries across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa competed in the finals to become this year’s 2021 EMEA Barista Champion. Streaming in real-time online […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/lebanons-cynthia-khattar-crowned-barista-champion-2021/

October marks Black History Month – an annual opportunity to celebrate the history, achievements and contributions of those with black heritage. This year, we celebrate Black History Month under the notion of “Keep Going” towards racial equity and progression.

The aim of this month is to keep uplifting, educating, inspiring, and supporting the community to push forward by celebrating black positive contributions, challenging our thoughts, and enhancing our cultural awareness.

The Black Partner Network has created artwork that represents the marches and social movements that have occurred in the battle for equity and justice. Notice the intricate dots in different shades, this represents the many people that have come together to advocate, educate, and support the black community.

This Black History Month, we welcome you to get to know and honour the individual identities and perspectives of some of our black partners. Join us in meeting a few of our EMEA retail partners who celebrate their journeys and share the importance of this month!

Tell us a bit about your role in the business and how long you’ve been a partner?

I am proud to have been a partner for 12 years, managing a leading some of our high-volume stores. It has been an honour and a privilege to work with many amazing partners from diverse backgrounds – which is one of the things I love most about my job.

Why is black history month important to you and what excites you the most about it?

A continued engagement with our heritage is important as it helps us understand the present. It’s exciting to appreciate and celebrate achievements and how far we have all come.

What does equality mean to you?

Equality to me is where everyone has the same opportunity to make the most of their lives and talents irrespective of who they are.

I began my career with Starbucks as a barista and have been a partner for 5 years.

Why is black history month important to you and what excites you the most about it?

It’s important because at school we did not have the opportunity to learn about black history, and I believe that there is a big opportunity to educate all generations. We must speak about it to keep the history alive and there is still a lot more to learn on black history, heritage, and culture. Many things excite me about this month, but I am particularly interested in all the strong women, such as Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks, who were brave enough to fight against racial segregation. All those brave women played a part in making the world a better place for everybody, regardless of their skin colour.

Equality to me is about having the opportunity to reach your true potential whatever race, age, or gender you are.

I began my Starbucks journey in 2017. To me, being a shift supervisor is about more than a set of skills and qualifications, I believe attitude and willingness to learn are equally as important. I am aware that I can't do everything alone; I trust my team and continue to motivate them to be the best they can be.

It’s important because black history, achievements, and struggles are rarely spoken about or celebrated and so young black people like me, were left unaware of what others that look like them can become or achieve. Black communities, culture, and identities are different and one month does not allow for many untold stories and perspectives. It does, however, encourage important conversations to begin on institutional racism, racial injustice, and black joy.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Enjoy all the little moments as growing up isn’t as fun as you think! Make mistakes, learn, and don’t repeat. Lastly, you’re original so why be a copy?

I’ve been privileged to be a Starbucks partner for 11 years, beginning as a barista. Following graduation from university, I decided to grow and develop at Starbucks because I felt a great sense of belonging. For me, my Starbucks experience has been one that has really lived up to our mission statement and commitment to diversity. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the partners that have crossed my path on this journey. We really are an incredible group of people!

It’s important because it’s an opportunity to celebrate true diversity. It’s also a brilliant way to showcase how far we have come as a society in ensuring freedom and equality for all. Whilst we are not yet a truly equal society, it is refreshing to see the great strides in the right direction.

Equality for me is about ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to rise and fall, succeed or fail based on their ability and the content of their character alone. Equality looks like a multi-racial workforce, government, and school system. A society where people of all backgrounds are fully represented in all spheres of life, as CEOs, company directors, middle management, and entrepreneurs across all sectors of the economy.

Starbucks partners share how they celebrate Black History Month - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Starbucks partners share how they celebrate Black History Month

October marks Black History Month – an annual opportunity to celebrate the history, achievements and contributions of those with black heritage. This year, we celebrate Black History Month under the notion of “Keep Going” towards racial equity and progression. The aim of this month is to keep uplifting, educating, inspiring, and supporting the community to […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/starbucks-partners-share-how-they-celebrate-black-history-month/

Meet <a href="https://ibbytarafdar.com/">Ibrahim Tarafdar</a> – Ibby for short – who’s a young graphic designer and barista based in Cardiff, Wales. A loyal customer turned partner (employee), Ibby joined Starbucks in 2010, the same year he started studying graphic communication at college.

Ibby who was born and raised in the UK and is the eldest of five children in his family. His parents immigrated from Bangladesh, which meant at home he did not use English as his first language and while this was an initial barrier, it became something he learnt to quickly overcome.

“When I went to school, I was good at art and reading, which were two skills needed to pursue my passion for Graphic Communication.”

As a creative individual, Ibby recalls his first impression of Starbucks was the iconic Siren, a mythological creature at the centre of our cups, always ensuring the bold colour green is front-and-centre.

American culture and lifestyle have always been a big fascination for Ibby. Upon graduating from university in 2014, he decided to work on his own business, balancing life as a Starbucks barista at the same time. Ibby’s career break came when he designed the brand logo for world champion boxer, Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, who is signed to Floyd Mayweather. This high-profile project has given him great exposure, and people started reaching out to him through email and social media from all over the U.S., which has proved key to his continued success. However, one thing that has kept Ibby grounded throughout is his local Starbucks community.

“Starbucks has always given me that platform to connect with people from all walks of life. This is important for me as it resonates personally, but it is also in our Mission and Values ‘“to create a culture of warmth and belonging where everyone is welcome’.”

Throughout his 10 years at Starbucks, connection remains one of his favourite aspects of the role. He recalls that Starbucks is all about: “creating moments of connection with customers who sometimes only visit when I’m working and still remember my name after all these years.”

Ibby also talks about connection with his fellow partners (employees), “working together with partners has helped me understand how to be a team player and work collaboratively to deliver the Starbucks Experience.”

Over the years, he feels his connection has grown towards his local community, who he enjoys working with his role in store. He has been invited to schools and universities and does a lot of public speaking, and one thing he always mention is Starbucks, given it is such a prominent part of his life.

“'Believe in your dreams and dream big. And then after you’ve done that, dream bigger’ (Howard Schultz quote) – This is something I have been able to accomplish. I really do feel that Starbucks allowed me to achieve my dreams.”

“When you hear my story, it instantly gives you hope that our Mission and Values really go beyond the four walls of the store, they are life-long values. There is an abundance of knowledge and wisdom that every partner can learn from; not only my story, but the hundreds of people we serve daily.”

Since 1971, Starbucks has been a different kind of company. Our mission has been to inspire and nurture the human spirit. Starbucks believes in making a positive difference for partners, customers, and society around our three core areas – inclusion, opportunity, and community – to create a warm, welcoming experience for all who visit our stores, and a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable work experience at every level within Starbucks.

Meet Ibby – Starbucks barista designing an inspiring future - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Meet Ibby – Starbucks barista designing an inspiring future

Meet Ibrahim Tarafdar – Ibby for short – who’s a young graphic designer and barista based in Cardiff, Wales. A loyal customer turned partner (employee), Ibby joined Starbucks in 2010, the same year he started studying graphic communication at college. Ibby who was born and raised in the UK and is the eldest of five […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/meet-ibby-starbucks-barista-designing-an-inspiring-future/

It’s time to hit refresh this summer - and Starbucks Refresha® range does just that, with the arrival of three refreshingly fruity flavours in Starbucks stores across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Joining the menu are two berry-flavoured options: the Pink Coconut Starbucks Refresha® Drink and Strawberry Açaí Starbucks Refresha® Drink, as well as the Cool Lime Starbucks Refresha® Drink, all developed to add a fruity burst to your day.

Hand-crafted with real fruit pieces, the drinks have been designed to offer ultimate hydration, with all the same personalisation, taste, and innovation you expect from the Starbucks Experience.

Pink Coconut Starbucks Refresha® Drink: Perfectly pastel pink in hue and ready to revitalise your afternoon, its a bold combination of strawberry flavours and creamy coconut dairy alternative, paired with real strawberry pieces for a drink that’s practically pink in every way.

Strawberry Açaí Starbucks Refresha® Drink: Is strawberry your go-to summer staple? For ultimate summer refreshment, its unique flavour of açaí gives depth to the drink, before being topped with real strawberries for a fruity blast.

Cool Lime Starbucks Refresha® Drink: Say hello to a zingy and zesty blend of lime and citrus, shaken over ice and garnished with a slice of lime.

Real fruit, real cold, and of course, really delicious, availability at Starbucks stores across the region will depend on local market, while stocks last.

Coffee & Craft

Coffee &amp; Craft Archives - Starbucks Stories EMEA

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Starbucks introduces new deliciously pink and zesty beverages for summer Refresha® range - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Starbucks introduces new deliciously pink and zesty beverages for summer Refresha® range

It’s time to hit refresh this summer &#8211; and Starbucks Refresha® range does just that, with the arrival of three refreshingly fruity flavours in Starbucks stores across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Joining the menu are two berry-flavoured options: the Pink Coconut Starbucks Refresha® Drink and Strawberry Açaí Starbucks Refresha® Drink, as well as […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/new-deliciously-pink-zesty-beverages-summer-refresha-range/