Starbucks is laying off another 300 US corporate employees and shutting some regional support offices in the latest round of cuts under CEO Brian Niccol. The coffee giant said the job losses are part of its turnaround plan as it tries to cut costs, simplify the business and return to stronger profits.
The layoffs will not affect baristas or other coffee shop workers, the company said. But Starbucks has also started reviewing its international corporate workforce, raising the prospect that more jobs could be at risk.
Back to Starbucks Strategy
'We are taking further action under the Back to Starbucks strategy, building on our strong business momentum and working to return the company to durable, profitable growth,' a Starbucks spokesperson told CNBC. 'Leaders have taken a hard look at their respective functions to further sharpen focus, prioritize work, reduce complexity, and lower costs.'
Starbucks said severance expenses and a reassessment of its office footprint will result in roughly $400 million in restructuring charges. The coffee chain expects to record about $280 million in noncash charges tied to the impairment of long-lived assets, along with another $120 million in cash charges connected to the layoffs.
Third Round of Cuts Under Niccol
It marks the third round of job cuts since Brian Niccol took over as CEO. Starbucks first cut 1,100 jobs in February 2025 before eliminating another 900 nonretail positions seven months later as part of a broader $1 billion restructuring plan.
As of September 28, 2025, Starbucks employed roughly 19,000 US-based nonretail workers and another 5,000 international employees in regional support operations roles, according to a regulatory filing.
During Niccol's tenure, Starbucks has launched an aggressive turnaround effort aimed at reviving its US business after sales weakened amid rising competition and more budget-conscious consumers pulling back on spending. Under the restructuring push, Starbucks has worked to improve cafe operations, introduce trendy new menu items, bring seating back to stores and increase staffing levels across its coffeehouses.
