Starbucks delivered one of its strongest market performances in recent quarters after reporting accelerating sales growth and renewed customer momentum, signaling that the company’s turnaround strategy under Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol is beginning to gain traction.
According to Nation’s Restaurant News and Starbucks’ official third-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings release, the coffee giant posted global comparable store sales growth of 4%, driven primarily by a 6% increase in comparable transactions, partially offset by a 2% decline in average ticket. The results exceeded market expectations and sent Starbucks shares sharply higher in after-hours trading.
For the quarter ended June 29, 2026, Starbucks reported net revenues of US$9.9 billion, representing a 5% year-over-year increase, while opening 308 net new stores, bringing its global footprint to over 41,000 stores across 88 markets.
Announcing the results, Niccol said, “Simply put, customers feel the difference. They’re visiting more often. They’re engaging with our brand in new ways. They’re finding more value in the Starbucks experience. And it’s showing up in our results.”
