Starbucks is showing signs of a stronger comeback, reporting a 7.7% increase in comparable U.S. coffeehouse sales during its latest fiscal quarter. The results, announced October 29, suggest that the company’s efforts to improve customer service, strengthen its menu and bring more customers back into its stores are gaining traction.
The coffee giant reported a 2.4% increase in U.S. customer transactions, while the average amount spent per transaction rose 5.2%. Globally, comparable coffeehouse sales increased 7.2%, marking the company’s fifth consecutive quarter of growth in that measure. The performance reflects progress under Starbucks’ ongoing Back to Starbucks initiative, which focuses on improving the in-store experience and reinforcing the brand’s connection with customers.
Starbucks has been working to make its coffeehouses more welcoming while improving service and introducing menu offerings that appeal to changing consumer preferences. Popular seasonal beverages and growing interest in matcha have helped support demand. The company has also been refining its store portfolio, closing some underperforming locations while investing in improvements at others.
Despite the stronger sales performance, Starbucks reported quarterly revenue of approximately $9.1 billion, a 4% decline from the previous year. The decrease was primarily tied to changes in how the company accounts for its operations in China following a joint venture transaction. For the full fiscal year, however, Starbucks generated $37.9 billion in revenue, an increase of 2%, while adjusted earnings per share rose 28%.
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Looking ahead, Starbucks expects comparable sales in North America to grow approximately 4% in fiscal 2027 and plans to open about 1,200 net new coffeehouses worldwide. Those ambitious plans suggest that the company sees opportunities for continued expansion as its turnaround gains momentum. For a brand built around daily routines, familiar favorites and neighborhood gathering places, the challenge goes beyond selling more coffee. It’s about giving customers a reason to keep coming back. Stronger U.S. sales are an encouraging sign, but sustaining that momentum will be the real test of Starbucks’ comeback.
