Starbucks Reports Record Q4 and Full Year Fiscal 2021 Results

Q4 Consolidated Net Revenues Up 31% to a Record $8.1 Billion

Q4 Comparable Store Sales Up 17% Globally; U.S. Up 22% with 11% Two-Year Growth

Q4 GAAP EPS $1.49; Non-GAAP EPS of $1.00 Driven by Strong U.S. Performance

Active Starbucks® Rewards Membership in the U.S. Approaches 25 million, Up 28% Year-Over-Year

Company Commits to $20 Billion of Share Repurchases and Dividends Over Next Three Years

Company Announces Historic Investments in its Partners (Employees), Bringing Average U.S. Retail Hourly Wage to Nearly $17/hr. by Summer 2022

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) today reported financial results for its 14-week fiscal fourth quarter ended October 3, 2021. GAAP results in fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 include items that are excluded from non-GAAP results. Please refer to the reconciliation of GAAP measures to non-GAAP measures at the end of this release for more information.

“Our strong finish to fiscal 2021, including record performance in the fourth quarter, demonstrates the resilience of Starbucks and reinforces the value of the bold strategic moves we have taken over the past two years. Through it all, we have thoughtfully navigated a strong recovery with an eye towards our future, all guided by our Mission and Values,” said Kevin Johnson, president and ceo.

“Today we announce we will be doubling-down on our investments in our partners, the heartbeat of our company. We know that when we exceed the expectations of our people, they in turn exceed the expectations of our customers - which creates value for all of our stakeholders - our partners, our customers, our communities and our shareholders. We anticipate that our strong business momentum, increased operating efficiency and continued global store expansion will fund these unprecedented investments while delivering yet another year of significant growth,” concluded Johnson.

Fiscal 2021 Re-segmentation

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, certain changes were made to the company's management team, and the operating segment reporting structure was realigned as a result. The company realigned the fully licensed Latin America and Caribbean markets from the Americas operating segment to the International operating segment. The Americas operating segment has been renamed the North America operating segment, comprised of company-operated and licensed stores in the U.S. and Canada. Fiscal 2020 segment information has been restated to conform with current period presentation.

There was no impact to consolidated net revenues, consolidated operating income or net earnings per share as a result of these changes.

Q4 Fiscal 2021 Highlights

• Global comparable store sales increased 17%, driven by a 15% increase in comparable transactions and a 2% increase in average ticket
  • North America comparable store sales increased 22%, primarily driven by an 18% increase in comparable transactions and a 3% increase in average ticket; U.S. comparable store sales increased 22%, driven by a 19% increase in comparable transactions and a 3% increase in average ticket
  • International comparable store sales increased 3%, driven by a 6% increase in comparable transactions, partially offset by a 2% decline in average ticket; China comparable store sales decreased 7%, driven by a 5% decline in average ticket and a 2% decline in transactions; International and China comparable store sales include adverse impacts of approximately 3% and 4%, respectively, from lapping prior-year value-added tax exemptions in China
• The company opened 538 net new stores in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, yielding 4% year-over-year unit growth, ending the period with a record 33,833 stores globally, of which 51% and 49% were company-operated and licensed, respectively
  • Stores in the U.S. and China comprised 62% of the company’s global portfolio at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, with 15,450 and 5,360 stores, respectively
• Consolidated net revenues of $8.1 billion grew 31% (22% on a 13-week basis⁽¹⁾) compared to the prior year, mainly driven by a 17% increase in comparable store sales primarily from lapping the unfavorable impact of business disruption in the prior year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and strength in U.S. company-operated store sales in the current year in addition to the impact of the extra week in Q4 fiscal 2021
• GAAP operating margin of 18.2% increased from 9.0% in the prior year primarily driven by sales leverage from business recovery and the lapping of COVID-19 related costs in the prior year as well as pricing in North America, partially offset by increased supply chain costs due to inflationary pressures; GAAP operating margin also benefited from lapping the higher restructuring activities in the prior year primarily associated with the North America Trade Area Transformation
  • Non-GAAP operating margin of 19.6% increased from 13.2% in the prior year
• GAAP earnings per share of $1.49 grew from $0.33 in the prior year including a $0.56 gain on the divestiture of our South Korea joint venture and $0.10 related to the extra week in Q4 fiscal 2021
  • Non-GAAP earnings per share of $1.00 grew from $0.51 in the prior year including $0.10 related to the extra week in Q4 fiscal 2021
• Starbucks® Rewards loyalty program 90-day active members in the U.S. increased to 24.8 million, up 28% year-over-year

Full Year Fiscal 2021 Highlights

• Global comparable store sales increased 20%, primarily driven by a 10% increase in average ticket and a 9% increase in comparable transactions
  • North America comparable store sales increased 22%, primarily driven by a 13% increase in average ticket and a 7% increase in comparable transactions; U.S. comparable store sales increased 21%, driven by a 13% increase in average ticket and an 8% increase in comparable transactions
  • International comparable store sales were up 16%, driven by a 14% increase in comparable transactions and a 1% increase in average ticket; China comparable store sales increased 17%, driven by a 19% increase in comparable transactions and a 2% decrease in average ticket
• Consolidated net revenues of $29.1 billion increased 24% (21% on a 52-week basis) from the prior year mainly driven by a 20% increase in comparable store sales primarily from lapping the unfavorable impact of business disruption in the prior year due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• GAAP operating margin of 16.8%, up from 6.6% in the prior year primarily driven by sales leverage from business recovery and the lapping of COVID-19 related costs in the prior year as well as pricing in North America, partially offset by additional investments and growth in wages and benefits for store partners
  • Non-GAAP operating margin of 18.1%, up from 9.1% in the prior year
• GAAP earnings per share of $3.54 grew from $0.79 in the prior year including a $0.56 gain on the divestiture of our South Korea joint venture and $0.10 related to the 53rd week in fiscal 2021
  • Non-GAAP earnings per share of $3.24 grew from $1.17 in the prior year including $0.10 related to the 53rd week in fiscal 2021

Q4 North America Segment Results

Net revenues for the North America segment grew 37% (27% on a 13-week basis) over Q4 FY20 to $5.8 billion in Q4 FY21, primarily driven by a 22% increase in company-operated comparable store sales, driven primarily due to lapping the unfavorable impact of business disruption in the prior year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and incremental revenue from the extra week in Q4 fiscal 2021.

Operating income increased to $1.3 billion in Q4 FY21, up from $506.0 million in Q4 FY20. Operating margin of 21.8% expanded from 12.0% in the prior year, primarily driven by sales leverage from business recovery and the lapping of higher COVID-19 related costs in the prior year, in addition to the impact of pricing, partially offset by increased supply chain costs due to inflationary pressures. Operating margin also benefited from lower restructuring expenses primarily associated with the North America Trade Area Transformation.

Q4 International Segment Results

Net revenues for the International segment grew 27% (18% on a 13-week basis) over Q4 FY20 to $1.9 billion in Q4 FY21, driven by 1,287 net new store openings, or 8% store growth, over the past 12 months, incremental revenue from the extra week in Q4 fiscal 2021, higher product sales to and royalty revenues from our licensees, a 3% favorable impact from foreign currency translation and a 3% increase in comparable store sales, partially driven by the lapping of prior year COVID impacts.

Operating income increased to $377.4 million in Q4 FY21 compared to $181.7 million in Q4 FY20. Operating margin of 19.7% increased from 12.0% in the prior year, primarily driven by sales leverage due to lapping the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, favorability from temporary government subsidies, lapping store asset impairments in the prior year and labor efficiencies across company-operated markets.

Q4 Channel Development Segment Results

Net revenues for the Channel Development segment of $438.3 million in Q4 FY21 were 6% lower (10% lower on a 13-week basis) relative to Q4 FY20. The decline was primarily driven by a 20% unfavorable impact of Global Coffee Alliance transition-related activities, including a structural change in our single-serve business, partially offset by incremental revenue from the extra week in Q4 fiscal 2021 and growth in the Global Coffee Alliance and the International ready-to-drink businesses.

Operating income increased to $219.8 million in Q4 FY21, up from $197.9 million in Q4 FY20. Operating margin of 50.1% expanded from 42.7% in the prior year, primarily due to Global Coffee Alliance transition-related activities, including the structural change in our single-serve business partially offset by the impact of the extra week in Q4 fiscal 2021.

Fiscal 2022 Financial Targets

The company will introduce fiscal year 2022 financial targets during its Q4 FY21 earnings conference call starting today at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time. These items can be accessed on the company's Investor Relations website during and after the call. The company uses its website as a tool to disclose important information about the company and comply with its disclosure obligations under Regulation Fair Disclosure.

Company Updates

1. Yesterday, the company announced plans that it would deliver planned retail wage increases first announced in 2020 across the U.S. in fiscal 2022. This investment, combined with industry-leading benefit programs, supports Starbucks aspiration to remain an employer of choice that can attract and retain the high-quality talent needed to expand its U.S. store footprint. By January 2022, retail partners with two or more years of service will see up to a 5-10% increase in their pay, and in Summer 2022,  all hourly retail workers in the U.S. will make an average of nearly $17/ hr. with barista hourly rates ranging from $15 to $23/ hr. across the country.
   
   
   
   
2. In July, the company announced a new collaboration with Nestlé to bring Starbucks ready-to-drink coffee beverages to select markets across Southeast Asia, Oceania and Latin America. The companies will work to quickly bring these coffee beverages to consumers in 2022.
   
   
   
   
3. In July, the company, in partnership with Caribbean Coffee Traders Limited, announced the arrival of the first Starbucks store in Barbados. Customers can enjoy the iconic Starbucks coffeehouse experience alongside Starbucks^® signature handcrafted beverages prepared by passionate baristas and locally-sourced menu options, including sandwiches, wraps and juices.
   
   
   
   
4. In January 2020, the company set an ambitious goal to conserve or replenish 50% of water used in green coffee production in our direct operations by 2030, as part of the company’s multi-decade commitment to become a resource positive company. In August, the company expanded this goal to include global operations, agricultural supply chain and packaging, increasing the projected water conserved or replenished and addressing some of the biggest impacts on the company's water footprint. In addition, the company will also prioritize action in high-risk basins to support watershed health and actively address ecosystem resilience and water equity.
   
   
   
   
5. In August, the company announced the opening of its first Farmer Support Center in Brazil, its tenth globally. Located in Varginha, Minas Gerais state, the new Farmer Support Center extends Starbucks presence in a key coffee producing region and aims to provide valuable resources to local coffee communities as part of the company’s commitment to source coffee responsibly, for the betterment of people and the planet.
   
   
   
   
6. In August, the company announced the promotion of Leo Tsoi to chief executive officer of Starbucks China. Serving as Starbucks China’s chief operating officer and president of Starbucks Retail for the last five years, Mr. Tsoi has led efforts to grow Starbucks footprint across the Chinese mainland to 5,300 stores across more than 200 cities today.
   
   
   
   
7. In September, the company sold its 50% ownership interest in Starbucks Coffee Korea Co., Ltd. Joint venture partner, E-Mart Inc., acquired an additional 17.5% interest and Apfin Investment Pte Ltd, an affiliate of GIC Private Limited, which is a Singapore sovereign wealth fund, acquired the remaining 32.5%. The sale had a combined price of $1.175 billion.
   
   
   
   
8. The Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.49 per share, payable on November 26, 2021, to shareholders of record as of November 12, 2021.
   
   
   
   
9. The company announced a new commitment of returning $20 billion to shareholders over the next three years through share repurchases and dividends.

Conference Call

Starbucks will hold a conference call today at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time, which will be hosted by Kevin Johnson, president and ceo, and Rachel Ruggeri, cfo. The call will be webcast and can be accessed at http://investor.starbucks.com. A replay of the webcast will be available until end of day Friday, November 26, 2021.

About Starbucks

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with more than 33,800 stores worldwide, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at stories.starbucks.com or www.starbucks.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein and in our investor conference call related to these results are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the applicable securities laws and regulations. Generally, these statements can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “remain,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These statements include statements relating to: our increased labor investments; our business outlook, projections and guidance; operations and financial results; our sustainability goals and initiatives; the recovery of our business; and our ability to drive long-term growth. These forward-looking statements do not represent historical data, are based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information and are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties. Actual future results and trends may differ materially depending on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: the actual impact of our increased labor investments on our operations and financial results; further spread of COVID-19 and its variants; regulatory measures or voluntary actions that may be put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19, including vaccine mandates and restrictions on business operations or social distancing requirements and the duration and efficacy of such restrictions and the world-wide distribution and acceptance of vaccines; the potential for a resurgence of COVID-19 infections in a given geographic region after it has hit its “peak”; fluctuations in U.S. and international economies and currencies; our ability to preserve, grow and leverage our brands; the ability of our business partners and third-party providers to fulfill their responsibilities and commitments; potential negative effects of incidents involving food or beverage-borne illnesses, tampering, adulteration, contamination or mislabeling; potential negative effects of material breaches of our information technology systems to the extent we experience a material breach; material failures of our information technology systems; costs associated with, and the successful execution of, the company’s initiatives and plans, including the successful expansion of our Global Coffee Alliance with Nestlé; our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms; the acceptance of the company’s products by our customers, evolving consumer preferences and tastes and the availability of consumer financing; changes in the availability and cost of labor; significant increased logistic costs, including but not limited to inflationary pressures; the impact of competition; inherent risks of operating a global business; the prices and availability of coffee, dairy and other raw materials; the effect of legal proceedings; and the effects of changes in tax laws and related guidance and regulations that may be implemented and other risks detailed in the company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” sections of Starbucks Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2020 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 27, 2021. The company assumes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.

Two-year Comparable Store Sales

The two-year comparable store sales metric discussed in today's investor conference call is calculated as ((1 + % change in comparable store sales in FY20) * (1 + % change in comparable store sales in FY21)) - 1. Refer to footnote 1 in the Segment Results and Supplemental Information sections in this press release for definitions of change in comparable store sales.

Key Metrics

The company's financial results and long-term growth model will continue to be driven by new store openings, comparable store sales and operating margin management. These key operating metrics are important indicators for the growth of the business and the effectiveness of the company's marketing and operational strategies.

Segment Results (in millions)

North America

International

Channel Development

Corporate and Other

Corporate and Other primarily consists of our unallocated corporate operating expenses and Evolution Fresh.

Supplemental Information

The following supplemental information is provided for historical and comparative purposes.

U.S. Supplemental Data

China Supplemental Data

Store Data