We support the Dutch appeal of the Commission’s decision that claims we underpaid taxes to the Netherlands.

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We wish to set the record straight by demonstrating major miscalculations and factual errors in the Commission's analysis. We support OECD tax reform efforts and have historically paid on average a 33 percent effective global tax rate.

Starbucks Response to the Dutch Appeal of the European Commission Decision on the Netherlands - Starbucks Stories

Stories to inspire and nurture the human spirit

Starbucks Stories

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Starbucks Corporation

Starbucks Response to the Dutch Appeal of the European Commission Decision on the Netherlands

Starbucks shares the concerns expressed by the Netherlands government that there are significant errors in the decision, and we support the Dutch government's appeal efforts.

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2019/01/Starbucks_Logo_Hi-res.jpg

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2015/response-to-european-commission-state-aid-decision-on-the-netherlands/

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I’m writing to commend you and your colleagues for your recent efforts to “ban the box” and extend the fundamental American value of a “second chance” to millions of Americans. We hope your efforts to change federal policy can benefit from the experience and success we in the private sector have had in hiring policies that enable opportunities for our people and the communities they serve. 

In America, opportunities take many forms: Freedom. Education. The support of family and community. A job. Sometimes that opportunity is simply a second chance. Unfortunately, equal access to these and other advantages is not yet a reality for all Americans. 

Today, over 70 million Americans have a criminal history. For hard-working and well-intentioned individuals, a criminal history can make the opportunity to find a job and move forward almost impossible to achieve. 

This has an impact on all of us. Unemployment among past offenders increases the chances that they will commit another crime and thus become costly financial burdens to the state. According to a 2011 study of the formerly incarcerated, a lack of employment was the single most negative determinant of recidivism. Unemployment and recidivism also disproportionately affect minority communities, especially in major urban areas where nearly one in three adults has a criminal record. More broadly, our national economy suffers. In one landmark study, economists estimate that the nation’s gross domestic product in 2008 was between $57 and $65 billion lower as a consequence of excluding formerly incarcerated people from the workforce.

Lately, more public and private voices are calling for flexible hiring practices that would provide more Americans with a second chance. This includes the movement to “ban the box,” the term commonly used to refer to the practice of ensuring that employers do not ask a candidate about their criminal history on the initial job application. Ensuring that applicants are not judged on their criminal history alone allows millions of individuals the second opportunities they need to re-write their life stories and contribute to our society.

At Starbucks, we support the idea that there are smart, compassionate ways to try to provide more individuals a second chance. We do not inquire about criminal histories on initial job applications and we run background checks only after a conditional offer of employment. Our intent is to provide applicants with a criminal history the chance to be evaluated as a whole person by having their circumstances considered on a case-by-case basis, including the opportunity to present any information they choose to ensure we have a full picture of who they are before making a final hiring decision.

None of this is charity. We are simply giving people an opportunity—sometimes a second one—to prove themselves while helping to grow our company. Starbucks particular approach to hiring may not apply to every company. Each organization must find its own balance between safety, fairness and good business. More important than any specific process, however, is the potential we have to help restore humanity into the difficult process of applying for a job while harnessing the power of America’s diverse labor force. 

As an American who grew up in public housing, I understand firsthand that opportunities—for me, supportive parents, a college scholarship, investors who believe in me—are launch pads to achieving dreams. But the American Dream cannot be a one-shot deal. I also know that the past does not have to dictate the future. It’s the rare entrepreneur who has not failed as well as succeeded. The rare lawmaker who has not lost as well as won elections. The rare athlete who hasn’t missed more shots than she’s made. Indeed, this country has always been about invention as well as reinvention.

Equal access to opportunities, for those willing to work hard and play fair, continues to be the promise of our country. I support your efforts to call on our collective responsibility, as a nation, to help ensure that promise is kept.

Letter from Howard Schultz to U.S. Senator Cory Booker - Starbucks Stories

Letter from Howard Schultz to U.S. Senator Cory Booker

I’m writing to commend you and your colleagues for your recent efforts to “ban the box” and extend the fundamental American value of a “second chance” to millions of Americans.

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2015/letter-from-howard-schultz-to-senator-cory-booker/

What is the Starbucks College Achievement Plan?

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The Starbucks College Achievement Plan, first introduced in June 2014, is a first of its kind partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) that creates an opportunity for all eligible U.S. partners (employees) to earn their bachelor’s degree with full tuition coverage all the way to graduation at ASU’s top-ranked online degree program.

College education is a priority for Starbucks partners, but for many, there are barriers to success including rising tuition costs, which put college out of reach. And in fact, a postsecondary education has never been more important. We know there is demonstrated value in having a college degree – both the opportunity it affords and the measurable impact on earning potential throughout a lifetime. <a href="https://www.ed.gov/college">Per data from the Department of Education</a>:

College graduates with a bachelor's degree typically earn 66 percent more than those with only a high school diploma; they are also far less likely to face unemployment.

Over the course of a lifetime, the average worker with a bachelor's degree will earn approximately $1 million more than a worker without a postsecondary education.

By 2020, an estimated two-thirds of job openings will require postsecondary education or training.

This program also supports Starbucks ongoing commitment to creating pathways to meaningful employment for young people, specifically, <a href="https://news.starbucks.com/news/100k-opportunities-initiative-exceeds-hiring-goal">Opportunity Youth</a> – the population of 16- to 24-year-olds who are out of work and not in school.

What value does a college degree provide to Starbucks partners?

A postsecondary education has never been more important. In fact, according to the <a href="https://www.ed.gov/college">Department of Education</a>:

College graduates with a bachelor's degree typically earn 66 percent more than those with only a high school diploma; and are also far less likely to face unemployment.

At the same time, attaining a college degree has never been more difficult.

Over the past three decades, tuition at public four-year colleges has more than doubled, even after adjusting for inflation.

Between 1992 and 2012, the average amount owed by a typical student loan borrower who graduated with a bachelor's degree more than doubled to a total of nearly $27,000.

While half of Americans from high-income families hold a bachelor's degree by age 25, just 1 in 10 people from low-income families attain that level of education.

Regardless of income status, high-school graduates who enroll in college too often fail to finish: barely half will complete their degree in a reasonable time at four-year institutions; and at two-year schools it's only about a third.

Who is eligible to benefit from the Starbucks College Achievement Plan?

Partners based in the U.S. working an average of 20 hours per week at any company-operated store (including Teavana®&nbsp;and Evolution Fresh™) and who do not yet have a bachelor’s degree are eligible for this program.

In 2015, we added an additional benefit to the program, with an expansion that allowed partners who are serving or have served in the U.S. military to designate an additional family member to receive the benefits of the Starbucks College Achievement Plan.

Is there a minimum amount of time a partner needs to be on the job before being eligible for the program?

Partners can apply to ASU upon hire, but will need to become benefits-eligible prior to starting classes. To find out more about benefits eligibility please visit the career site and check out&nbsp;Your&nbsp;Special Blend.

How does the scholarship and reimbursement work?

Partners in the program receive an upfront College Achievement Plan Scholarship worth 42 percent of their tuition costs. This is funded by ASU and applied at the time they enroll in classes. Partners will also have access to financial aid grants and Starbucks will reimburse any remaining tuition and mandatory fees not covered at the end of each semester (two sessions). This means that eligible partners receive full tuition coverage as they work towards completing their degrees.

Why is the Starbucks College Achievement Plan structured this way financially?

The scholarship/reimbursement structure was jointly developed between ASU and Starbucks to incentivize graduation without introducing financial barriers to access. Both ASU and Starbucks wanted students to have a personal financial investment in their education to give them a stake in their progress toward graduation. At the same time, we wanted to make sure partners' day-to-day finances were not affected.&nbsp;

The 42 percent upfront scholarship and any need-based financial aid reduces out-of-pocket tuition at the outset so that most partners can cover it completely with student loans.

ASU notifies Starbucks every time a student completes a semester (two sessions) and Starbucks automatically reimburses partners for the full amount they paid out-of-pocket for that semester.

Starbucks partners incur no tuition debt if they progress and complete—the opposite incentive most students have today, and a powerful motivator.&nbsp;They are also encouraged to apply their reimbursement grants to the following semester’s tuition so that their out-of-pocket expenses are kept low and they can graduate&nbsp;without tuition debt.

What is the annual value of the Starbucks College Achievement Scholarship that ASU is offering?

The annual value of the Starbucks College Achievement Plan Scholarship varies based on the major and course load. ASU’s online degree courses range in cost from $490 to $633 per credit hour.

Based on an average amount of existing credits partners have as they enroll in the program, average contributions from financial aid and from ASU, as well as the average number of credits partners are expected to take each year, Starbucks expects to contribute approximately $3,000-$4,000 per year, per partner, to ensure full tuition coverage as they work towards achieving their degree.

What is Starbucks investment to have 25,000 partners graduate by 2025?

Starbucks is committed to helping at least 25,000 partners graduate by 2025. This equates to an expected investment from Starbucks of up to $250M or more.&nbsp;

How is this program different from other tuition reimbursement programs?

High-quality education: ASU is the largest and fastest-growing research university in the U.S. and invested early and deeply in online education. Online classes are taught by the same award-winning faculty as on-campus degree programs, and students are awarded identical diplomas. ASU’s courses are completely redesigned for effective online delivery and backed with the state-of-the-art educational technologies to track learning progress and personalize instruction. ASU’s results are impressive with U.S. News &amp; World Report ranking ASU in the top 10 “Best Online Bachelor's Programs” and number one on its “Most Innovative Schools” list.

Wide, unrestricted choice of majors: Partners can choose from over 60 undergraduate degree programs from psychology to electrical engineering. For those who want to pursue a career in Starbucks stores, ASU developed a concentration in Retail Management that is available to students who pursue a business degree. Partners can follow their passions in any direction.

No commitment after graduation: This program is open to any benefits-eligible partner working an average of 20 hours per week with no commitment to stay after graduation.

Excellent student services to help navigate college: A personal enrollment coach along with academic and financial aid counselors will help partners navigate the entire process of applying, choosing the right major, applying for financial aid and selecting the right classes to meet their academic goals.

Automatic reimbursement: There are no paperwork hurdles—reimbursement shows up automatically in partners’ paychecks if they remain benefits-eligible.

How long must partners stay with Starbucks or any of the family brands after graduation?

Partners have no obligation to stay employed at the company after graduation, though we are excited about the prospects for partners who choose to continue developing their careers with the company.&nbsp;

In developing this program, Starbucks wanted to work with a non-profit and, ideally, a public university that was known and respected by our partners and by other employers. We looked for an institution with the scale and experience to support a large volume of students and a broad choice of degrees. And most importantly, we sought a combination of excellent quality education and shared social values.

While some of the emerging online degree programs offered lower costs, Starbucks ambition was to make available to our partners a full range of “traditional” degree programs, taught by the same faculty and with the same rigor as on-campus degrees.&nbsp;We also wanted our college partner to offer the personalized attention and deep support that students need to get to graduation. We knew that approach would require a bigger investment, but felt that with the right partnership we could make it work.

ASU stood out because of their head start in quality online education at scale, thanks to ASU President Michael Crow's vision and early commitment—five years, 10,000 students, over 60 undergraduate degree programs and 20 graduate programs.

Add to that the quality of ASU's online degree programs: each course is fully redesigned to make the most of online learning modes, and ASU’s highly-engaged faculty are retrained for effective online teaching. ASU is a leader in employing innovative educational technology to deliver tailored academic support. They also invest in the student support services that are critical to reducing drop-out rates, and are ranked first in student services by US News &amp; World Report. The diplomas ASU awards to online students are identical to their on-campus degrees, and their session-to-session student retention rates and graduation rates are extremely good.

Lastly, ASU’s mission matched Starbucks values. For ASU, the move into online innovation is part of their 10-year mission to broaden college access, reach students who truly represent America's demographics, and deliver college education at a scale that transforms society. They saw Starbucks diverse partners as exactly the kind of people who could benefit from help with access to college, and were committed to a long-term partnership that would make that possible.

How was the Starbucks College Achievement Plan designed to help the company’s partners succeed?

In addition to the financial support we’re offering partners, we wanted to ensure they had the right level of personal support to get them across the finish line, including:

Steady yet flexible work for a supportive employer, combined with family health benefits, to broaden access for those for whom residential college is not an option today.

ASU’s wraparound student services tailored for first-in-family students.

Innovative reimbursement structure (combined with generous upfront help) to reward students for making timely progress toward their degrees.

A national cohort of face-to-face study groups, studying in Starbucks stores on high-speed Wi-Fi.

Pathway to Admission: Frequently Asked Questions

Pathway to Admission is an expansion of our Starbucks College Achievement Plan, created in partnership with ASU, which gives all eligible U.S. full- and part-time partners a second chance for higher education. Partners who are academically inadmissible to ASU can now work toward admission, all tuition free.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Through Pathways to Admission, partners receive a personalized path created just for them by ASU to work toward admission based on each their unique situation and academic history.

Starbucks and ASU cover the cost of the Pathway courses, with partners only responsible for a $49 fee to verify their identity for each class.

Most partners will take 4-8 first-year university classes before becoming admission eligible to ASU, with the types and number of classes needed varying based on the partner’s academic history and intended major at ASU.

Pathway to Admission courses are taught by the same world-class ASU faculty who teach on its campuses, and offer the same high caliber of coursework.

If a course is passed with a “C” grade or better, partners have the option to convert that class for academic credit at ASU.

Once they complete the requirements of the Pathway to Admission program and are accepted at ASU, partners can then transition into SCAP, which offers 100 percent tuition coverage for every eligible U.S. Starbucks partner and a selection of over 60 degrees.

Why did Starbucks create the Pathway to Admission?

Our partners are interested in pursuing their college degree, but we found about 20 percent (~1 in 5 partners) who applied to Starbucks College Achievement Plan were not eligible for admission due to previous academic performances in high school or college. We know everyone has the capacity to grow, and we firmly believe we all deserve that opportunity, so we partnered with ASU to find a way to give partners a second chance to earn their way into admission.

Who is eligible for Pathway to Admission?

All U.S. based, benefits-eligible partners employed by Starbucks-owned businesses – regardless of role – who are not admissible to ASU and do not yet have a bachelor’s degree can participate in Pathway to Admission.

The only cost to partners is the $49 ID verification fee per course, which covers academic integrity services throughout the course (e.g., proctored exams, etc.). Partners who receive a "C” grade or better will receive a code at the end of the course should they choose to convert a class for college credit. The tuition cost is fully covered by Starbucks and ASU.

What is the rigor of the courses in Pathway to Admission?

Pathway to Admission is an accredited university experience, delivered online, offering first-year university courses designed to be broadly applicable to incoming students. Pathway to Admission courses are taught by the same world-class ASU faculty who teach on its campuses, and offer the same high caliber of coursework.

Pathway to Admission is based on ASU’s Global Freshman Academy (GFA), which is currently available to the public and is designed to offer learners an opportunity to take first-year university courses and convert for them academic credit at ASU.

Starbucks College Achievement Plan: Frequently Asked Questions - Starbucks Stories

Starbucks College Achievement Plan: Frequently Asked Questions

The Starbucks College Achievement Plan is a significant partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) that creates an opportunity for eligible Starbucks partners (employees) to finish a bachelor’s degree with full tuition reimbursement through ASU's top-ranked online degree program. Here's how it works:

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2015/starbucks-college-achievement-plan-frequently-asked-questions/

The quality and safety of our products is our top priority and we review our ingredients on an ongoing basis to ensure we exceed customer expectations. Starbucks continues to explore how to best provide customers the information they need to make informed decisions about their food and beverage choices.

We understand GMO labeling is of interest to some of our customers. We work closely with others across our industry to study the broader GMO issue and determine the best path forward. We are in compliance with all GMO labeling in the communities across the globe where we do business. As a company with stores and a product presence in every state in the U.S., we prefer a national solution. Starbucks is not part to any litigation nor lobbying pertaining to GMO labeling.

Starbucks Response to Questions and Litigation Regarding GMO Labeling

Starbucks is not a part of any lawsuit pertaining to GMO labeling nor have we provided funding for any campaign. And Starbucks is not aligned with Monsanto to stop food labeling or block Vermont State law.

The petition claiming that Starbucks is part of this litigation is completely false and we have asked the petitioners to correct their description of our position. 

As a company, with stores and a product presence in every state, we prefer a national solution.

Starbucks Response to Questions and Litigation Regarding GMO Labeling - Starbucks Stories

Starbucks Response to Questions and Litigation Regarding GMO Labeling

Starbucks is not a part of any lawsuit pertaining to GMO labeling nor have we provided funding for any campaign.

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2014/starbucks-response-to-questions-and-litigation-regarding-gmo-labeling/

Though our roots are in the United States, we are a global company with stores in 86 markets, including over 1,900* stores in 11* Middle Eastern and North African markets employing more than 19,000* green apron partners (employees). In markets where we do business, we are proud to be a part of the fabric of the local community – working directly with local business partners who operate our stores, employing thousands of local citizens, serving millions of customers and positively impacting many others through our support of local neighborhoods and cities.

Our 400,000 partners around the globe have diverse views about a wide range of topics. Regardless of that spectrum of beliefs, Starbucks has been and remains a non-political organization. Neither Starbucks nor the company’s former chairman, president and ceo Howard Schultz provide financial support to the Israeli government and/or the Israeli Army in any way.

What we do believe in, and remain focused on, is staying true to our company’s long-standing heritage – simply connecting with our partners and customers over a cup of high-quality coffee and offering the best experience possible to them – regardless of geographical location.

Is it true that Starbucks or Howard Schultz provides financial support to Israel?

No. This is absolutely untrue. Rumors that Starbucks or Howard provides financial support to the Israeli government and/or the Israeli Army are unequivocally false. Starbucks is a publicly held company and as such, is required to disclose any corporate giving each year through a proxy statement.

Has Starbucks ever sent any of its profits to the Israeli government and/or Israeli army?

Is it true that Starbucks closed its stores in Israel for political reasons?

No. We do not make business decisions based on political issues. We decided to dissolve our partnership in Israel in 2003 due to the on-going operational challenges that we experienced in that market. After many months of discussion with our partner we came to this amicable decision. While this was a difficult decision for both companies, we believe it remains the right decision for our businesses.

Do you have plans to re-open should the opportunity arise?

We decided to dissolve our partnership in Israel in 2003 due to the on-going operational challenges that we experienced in that market.

When and where the business case makes sense and we see a fit for the Starbucks brand in a market we will work closely with a local partner to assess the feasibility of offering our brand to that community. We will therefore continue to assess all opportunities on this basis. At present, we will continue to grow our business in the Middle East as we have been very gratified by the strong reception of the brand in the region. We continue to work closely with our business partner, Alshaya Group, in developing our plans for the region.

Do you work with a Middle East partner to operate Starbucks stores?

Through a licensing agreement with trading partner and licensee MH Alshaya Co. WLL, a private Kuwait family business, Starbucks has operated in the Middle East since 1999. Today Alshaya Group, which is recognized as one of the leading and most influential brand franchise enterprises in the region, operates more than 1,900* Starbucks stores spanning from North Africa through the Middle East and Turkey, to Central Asia.

We are extremely fortunate and proud to have forged a successful partnership for over 20 years with Alshaya Group and look forward to building on this success.

In which Middle Eastern and North African markets do you operate?

We partner with Alshaya Group to operate Starbucks stores in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and United Arab Emirates in the Middle East and North Africa region. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to work with so many communities, and we are committed to providing the Starbucks Experience while respecting the local customs and cultures of each market we are a part of. We are also committed to hiring locally, providing jobs to thousands of local citizens in the markets where we operate.

Facts about Starbucks in the Middle East - Starbucks Stories

Our 400,000 partners around the globe have diverse views about a wide range of topics. Regardless of that spectrum of beliefs, Starbucks has been and remains a non-political organization. We do not support any political or religious cause. Learn more about Starbucks in the Middle East.

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2014/facts-about-starbucks-in-the-middle-east/

Facts about Starbucks in the Middle East

As we seek to scale our tea expertise to support our global tea ambition, we have decided to move our Teavana headquarters, which currently employs 99 partners, from Atlanta to Seattle in order to more effectively leverage the talent and capabilities across our global business. 

Announcing the move, Annie Young-Scrivner, executive vice president and president, Teavana, said: “What first drew us to Teavana was the Company’s unmatched knowledge and authority around all things tea. This coupled with broader, more immediate access to the diverse talent and unique capabilities across the Seattle-based Support Center, will enhance our ability to innovate in the tea category, up-level the customer experience and deliver growth for this critical business to the Company.”

The transition of Teavana headquarters to Seattle from Atlanta will begin October 2014 and, based on the type of work, the impact to the specific role and associated timeline will vary.

We value the heritage of the Teavana brand and the success our Atlanta-based partners have brought to it. We are working closely with all the partners in our Atlanta Teavana office to ensure each partner is supported, whether they relocate to Seattle, transition to another role at Starbucks or their position will be eliminated and they need support in seeking new opportunities outside of the Company.

In the nearly two years since Starbucks acquired Teavana, we’ve made tremendous progress against our plans to integrate, develop and expand the tea industry and the Teavana retail platform through Teavana Tea Bars.

We are also expanding and deepening the presence of high-quality Teavana branded teas within Starbucks stores in order to leverage tea as a driver of additional customer occasions, create wide recognition for the Teavana brand and add another layer of growth within Starbucks stores.

Teavana Headquarters Moves to Seattle - Starbucks Stories

As we seek to scale our tea expertise to support our global tea ambition, we have decided to move our Teavana headquarters, which currently employs 99 partners, from Atlanta to Seattle in order to more effectively leverage the talent and capabilities across our global business.

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2014/teavana-headquarters-moves-to-seattle/

Teavana Headquarters Moves to Seattle

We are set to move the regional headquarters of our Europe, Middle East and Africa business from Amsterdam to London, effective end of 2014.

This move will concentrate a modest number of senior executives in our operation in London, some of whom are currently based in Amsterdam.

By making this move, our senior leaders will be better able to oversee the UK market in which over half of our European stores -- with more than 7,500 employees (we call them partners) -- are located.

Announcing the move, Kris Engskov, President, Starbucks EMEA said: “Closer proximity to our biggest market will be critical to our success as we grow our business across Europe and the globe.”

Since Starbucks opened its first stores in Europe in 1998, we have grown to over 2,000 stores in 35 countries. Today, our largest and fastest growing European market is the UK. As the coffee industry has grown, the UK and London specifically has become one of the most competitive coffee markets in the world.

In the UK alone, we plan to open over 100 retail stores across the country this year, creating 1,000 new, permanent jobs. We expect continued growth in other European markets as well. This move will mean we pay more tax in the UK.

We will continue to employ over 200 partners in our Amsterdam hub to support our EMEA business. On this site we roast and distribute all of the coffee for the whole of Europe, and that will not change with the European Head Office move.

Starbucks moves European Head Office to London - Starbucks Stories

Starbucks moves European Head Office to London

Starbucks will move the regional headquarters of its Europe, Middle East and Africa business from Amsterdam to London, effective end of 2014.

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2014/starbucks-moves-european-head-office-to-london/

By: Joe Thornton, Starbucks division senior vice president

Recently, a customer visited a Starbucks store with his service animal in Houston and had an experience that is inconsistent with our service animal policy, our company values, and the welcoming and friendly environment we strive to create for all of our customers. Starbucks always welcomes service animals to our stores, and we want every customer who spends time in our stores to enjoy their visit. 

We take this situation very seriously, and following this customer’s experience, we spoke with him to hear his concerns and sincerely apologized. We have also spoken with the store partner (employee) who caused this negative experience and are using this as a coaching opportunity for the future. 

At Starbucks, we are committed to educating our partners about our service animal policy and to ensuring that they follow it. When partners are first hired, they receive policy materials, we periodically retrain partners on the policy, and we issue reminders to all of our partners on an annual basis. 

We will continue these efforts to engage with our partners on this topic to ensure they are educated on our policy and that our customers’ experiences exceed their expectations and are reflective of our mission and core values.

Starbucks and Service Animals - Starbucks Stories

Starbucks always welcomes service animals to our stores, and we want every customer who spends time in our stores to enjoy their visit.

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2014/starbucks-and-service-animals/

Starbucks and Service Animals

We understand there is some confusion regarding a potential Starbucks kiosk at the San Jose Convention Center. We want to set the record straight on a rumor, which states that Starbucks has requested an exemption from the San Jose living wage policy. It’s particularly important for us to correct this misinformation because it is not reflective of how we do business. Starbucks never requested such an exemption with the City of San Jose. San Jose is an important market for Starbucks, and although we asked for more information about this location, we decided to pursue other opportunities in the area after reviewing the site.

Starbucks is rooted in the notion that the best way to ensure our success is to take care of our people. In fact, since the earliest days of the company, we offered stock options and health care to eligible part-time workers – a commitment which continues to this day and that most other retailers don’t offer. In addition to these important benefits, Starbucks partners (how we refer to our employees) receive a comprehensive compensation package that includes a competitive wage, eligibility for merit increases every six months, tuition reimbursement, free coffee and a 30 percent in-store discount on beverages, food and merchandise. 

Our partners have, and always will be, at the heart of everything we do. More than four decades in business, we continue our commitment to be at the forefront of doing all that we can to invest in our people.

Setting the Record Straight: Starbucks Never Requested Living Wage Exemption - Starbucks Stories

Setting the Record Straight: Starbucks Never Requested Living Wage Exemption

We understand there is some confusion regarding a potential Starbucks kiosk at the San Jose Convention Center.

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2014/setting-the-record-straight-starbucks-never-requested-living-wage-exemption/

SEATTLE (December 12, 2013) - Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX) issued the following statement from its chairman, president and ceo Howard Schultz commending the U.S. House of Representatives for passing a bipartisan, two-year federal budget today.

“I want to commend our elected leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives for putting aside their partisan differences and achieving an important, while not perfect, budget agreement. This deal provides important stability to our economy at a critical time for all Americans, and avoids another disastrous shut-down or default.

“Citizens simply cannot afford a repeat of the past, and this action restores some needed confidence in our future. The bipartisan leadership of U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI) demonstrates what is possible when we come together with civility and for a common purpose to serve the greater good of the country. The Senate should follow their lead and pass this budget.”

This fall nearly two million Americans signed a petition posted in Starbucks stores across the U.S. and on the company’s website urging Congress and the White House to reach a deal to resolve the U.S. budget crisis.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz Commends House of Representatives on Budget Approval - Starbucks Stories

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz Commends House of Representatives on Budget Approval

Starbucks issued a statement from its chairman, president and ceo Howard Schultz commending the U.S. House of Representatives for passing a bipartisan, two-year federal budget today.

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2013/starbucks-ceo-howard-schultz-commends-house-of-representatives-on-budget-ap/

Read the letter from Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman, president and ceo, to America's business leaders asking them to continue discussing ways to foster a culture of responsible self-government.

I write today with a sense of relief that our political leaders are governing again. Yet, it pains me to think of the millions of Americans whose voices will never be heard – whose lives were fractured by this senseless lack of responsibility. While we do not yet have the long-term plan that our economy and country needs, this is an important step forward. There is no doubt that the upcoming decisions and votes about long-term budget issues are complex and difficult ones for the President and Members of Congress.

It should be abundantly clear that a majority of Americans of varying political persuasions want our elected officials to continue to come together and make the hard decisions ahead in a spirit of civility and common purpose. Reasonable minds can disagree, but responsible leaders must still govern for the American people.

As to our responsibility as business leaders and citizens, I continue to believe we cannot be bystanders about our collective future. We are going to have to become more engaged so that Washington doesn’t fall back into this kind of unnecessary crisis every few months. 

I appreciate the dialogue we have had and I hope we can continue to discuss ways to foster a culture of responsible self-government. The response to our Come Together petition drive – nearly two million partners (employees) and customers signed it – has inspired me to think more about what we can do at Starbucks to continue to use our scale for good. 

Together, let’s continue to pursue a more perfect union.

Continuing to Pursue a More Perfect Union - Starbucks Stories

Continuing to Pursue a More Perfect Union

Read the letter from Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman, president and ceo, to America's business leaders asking them to continue discussing ways to foster a culture of responsible self-government.

https://storiesadmin.starbucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Petition_Thank_You.jpg

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2013/continuing-to-pursue-a-more-perfect-union/

Read the letter from Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman, president and ceo, to America's business leaders asking them to sign a petition urging our elected leaders to come together for the collective good.

I am grateful to all of you for the outpouring of support and ideas regarding how we can best solve the current crisis of leadership in which we are now embroiled. 

What has become clear to me over these past few days – aside from the continued dysfunction we see from our elected leaders – is the sad and striking realization that the American people have no platform with which to voice their frustration with Washington and the current stalemate that threatens our nation. The fact that the government’s “We the People” initiative website has shut down due to a lack of funding says everything about the irresponsible and untenable situation our political leadership has created across America.

This is one area where we can help put our country back on the right track. Using our collective scale for good, this Friday Starbucks and others will distribute a petition (<a href="http://www.cometogetherpetition.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.ComeTogetherPetition.com</a>) asking Congress and the White House to:

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Starbucks will offer up its thousands of stores across the nation to give the millions of customers who come through our stores every week, and thousands of partners (employees) who serve them, an opportunity to have their voices heard by signing our petition. Please join us in doing what you – and your companies – can to give the American people the voice they currently lack, and are desperately crying out for. And in the process, you can help to restore faith and trust in our government through your civil words and deeds.

Watch Howard speak about this petition and the importance of coming together to make our voices heard:

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The come together petition is available in participating Starbucks stores in the US:

If We Come Together, Our Voices Will Be Heard - Starbucks Stories

If We Come Together, Our Voices Will Be Heard

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