Companies
Starbucks
S&P 500Consumer Discretionary· USA

SBUX

Status-Quo-Player

Starbucks

$97.48

+0.92%

Open $96.60·Prev $96.59

as of 13 Apr

STATUS-QUO-PLAYER

Power Core

The moat in one sentence: Starbucks commands a behavioral lock-in ecosystem combining habitual daily rituals, a loyalty program functioning as a de facto prepaid financial instrument, and global real estate positioning that collectively create switching costs invisible to consumers but structurally powerful.

Published1 Apr 2026
UniverseS&P 500
SectorConsumer Discretionary

Direction of Movement

Lateral Drift During Leadership-Driven Strategic Reset

ROC 200

-3.3%

Referenced in 10 other analyses

Company Profile

Starbucks Corporation is a leading roaster, marketer, and retailer of specialty coffee worldwide. The company operates more than 40,000 stores across over 80 countries, generating revenue through three key segments: North America, International, and Channel Development, which includes grocery and ready-to-drink beverages. Its stores offer a diverse menu of coffee, tea, and other beverages, along with roasted whole beans, ground coffees, single-serve products, and ready-to-drink options. Complementary food items such as pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and lunch selections enhance the customer experience. Starbucks licenses its trademarks to partners for licensed stores, grocery channels, and foodservice accounts, expanding its global footprint. With a workforce of approximately 361,000 employees, the company maintains strong profitability metrics, including a gross margin of 26.05%, operating margin of 13.15%, and net margin of 9.73%, alongside a consistent dividend yield around 2.5-3%. Classified in the NAICS 722515 (Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars) and SIC 5461 (Retail Bakeries), Starbucks Corporation plays a pivotal role in the consumer cyclical sector, particularly influencing the restaurants industry through its iconic brand and innovative product offerings.

Sector

Consumer Cyclical

Industry

Restaurants

Employees

361,000

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