5 Things to Know About First-Ever Starbucks Promises Day

At a global gathering of Starbucks partners in Seattle and around the world, Starbucks global chief executive officer Laxman Narasimhan announced five initiatives at the first-ever Starbucks Promises Day that underscore the company’s promises to its partners, farmers, customers, communities, shareholders and the environment:

• 100% of sales of Starbucks Odyssey Blend whole bean coffee in North America will support World Central Kitchen
• First-ever Global Barista Championships coming in 2025
• Coffee experience pop-ups will launch in cities around the world
• Expansion of coffee innovation farms to more coffee-growing countries
• New reusable Green Apron Cup for all North America partners

On the one-year anniversary of its new mission and promises, Starbucks gathered partners (employees) from across the company for its first-ever Starbucks Promises Day. The event, hosted in-person at the Starbucks Support Center in Seattle and virtually around the world, will be an annual gathering dedicated to Starbucks partners and all those the Starbucks brand influences and uplifts.

Starbucks global chief executive officer Laxman Narasimhan said, “A year ago, we gathered together as partners in this very room to re-found the company and define a shared path forward. And since committing ourselves to these promises a year ago, you have each helped us realize what we can achieve when we’re at our best.”

Narasimhan was joined by partners from across the company to highlight each of the Starbucks promises and show how coffee is woven through these interconnected commitments, guiding Starbucks work at every level of the company.

Partner Promise: Bridge to a Better Future

For the first time in its history, Starbucks announced its Global Barista Championships to connect Starbucks green apron partners around the world in celebration of their coffee passion and expertise. Barista Champions from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and Latin America and the Caribbean will be invited to compete in the inaugural event at Hacienda Alsacia in Costa Rica next year.

“The energy, passion, love, dedication and commitment of the partners who compete in Barista Championships is hard to even begin to express,” said Michelle Burns, executive vice president of Global Coffee and Sustainability for Starbucks. “They are not only about the craft of making the beverages, but also about storytelling and connection. Those who compete are truly the best of the best.”