From Our Print Edition

Q3 Consolidated Net Revenues Up 78% to a Record $7.5 Billion

Q3 Comparable Store Sales Up 73% Globally; U.S. Up 83% with 10% Two-Year Growth

Q3 GAAP EPS $0.97; Record Non-GAAP EPS of $1.01 Driven by Strong U.S. Performance

China Surpasses 5,000 Stores, Pushing Global Store Count to Record 33,295

Active Starbucks® Rewards Membership in the U.S. Up 48% Year-Over-Year to 24.2 Million

Raising Full-Year Fiscal 2021 Margin and Earnings Per Share Guidance

SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) today reported financial results for its 13-week fiscal third quarter ended June 27, 2021. GAAP results in fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 include items that are excluded from non-GAAP results. Please refer to the reconciliation of GAAP measures to non-GAAP measures at the end of this release for more information.

“Starbucks delivered record performance in the third quarter, demonstrating powerful momentum beyond recovery. Our ability to move with speed and agility and to be out in front of shifting customer behaviors has helped further differentiate Starbucks, positioning us well for this moment,” said Kevin Johnson, president and ceo.

“As the Great Human Reconnection continues to unfold, our partners are rising to the occasion, ready to meet our customers wherever they need us to be – with the right store, in the right place, at the right time. Given the strength of our diverse portfolio and the elevated Starbucks Experience, as evidenced in our Q3 record results, we are raising our full-year financial outlook and are confident in our ability to continue to execute our ‘Growth at Scale’ agenda to unlock the full potential of the Starbucks brand,” concluded Johnson.

Q3 Fiscal 2021 Highlights

• Global comparable store sales increased 73%, driven by a 75% increase in comparable transactions, partially offset by a 1% decrease in average ticket
  • Americas comparable store sales increased 84%, driven by an 82% increase in comparable transactions and a 1% increase in average ticket; U.S. comparable store sales increased 83%, driven by an 80% increase in comparable transactions and a 1% increase in average ticket
  • International comparable store sales increased 41%, driven by a 55% increase in comparable transactions, partially offset by a 9% decline in average ticket; China comparable store sales increased 19%, driven by a 30% increase in transactions, partially offset by a 9% decline in average ticket; International and China comparable store sales include adverse impacts of approximately 5% and 6%, respectively, from lapping prior-year value-added tax exemptions in China
• The company opened 352 net new stores in the third quarter of fiscal 2021, yielding 3% year-over-year unit growth, ending the period with a record 33,295 stores globally, of which 51% and 49% were company-operated and licensed, respectively
  • Stores in the U.S. and China comprised 62% of the company’s global portfolio at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2021, with 15,348 and 5,135 stores, respectively
• Consolidated net revenues of $7.5 billion grew 78% compared to the prior year, mainly driven by a 73% increase in comparable store sales primarily from lapping the unfavorable impact of business disruption in the prior year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and strength in U.S. company-operated sales in the current year
• GAAP operating margin of 19.9% increased from -16.7% in the prior year primarily driven by sales leverage from business recovery and the lapping of COVID-19 related costs in the prior year, as well as pricing in the Americas, partially offset by investments in wages and benefits for store partners; GAAP operating margin also benefited from higher restructuring activities in the prior year primarily associated with the Americas Trade Area Transformation
  • Non-GAAP operating margin of 20.5%, up from -12.6% in the prior year
• GAAP earnings per share of $0.97, up from a loss of $0.58 in the prior year
  • Non-GAAP earnings per share of $1.01, up from a loss of $0.46 in the prior year
• Starbucks® Rewards loyalty program 90-day active members in the U.S. increased to 24.2 million, up 48% year-over-year

Q3 Americas Segment Results

Net revenues for the Americas segment grew 92% over Q3 FY20 to $5.4 billion in Q3 FY21, primarily driven by an 84% increase in company-operated comparable store sales driven primarily from lapping the unfavorable impact of business disruption in the prior year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and strength in U.S. company-operated sales in the current year.

Operating income increased to $1.3 billion in Q3 FY21, up from an operating loss of $404.9 million in Q3 FY20. Operating margin of 24.4% expanded 3,880 basis points, primarily driven by sales leverage from business recovery, the lapping of higher COVID-19 related costs in the prior year, pricing and benefits of the Americas Trade Area Transformation, partially offset by investments in wages and benefits for store partners coupled with increased supply chain costs due to inflationary pressures. The pandemic-related costs incurred in the prior year were largely catastrophe and service pay for store partners, partially offset by government subsidies. Operating margin also benefited from lower restructuring expenses primarily associated with the Americas Trade Area Transformation.

Q3 International Segment Results

Net revenues for the International segment grew 75% over Q3 FY20 to $1.7 billion in Q3 FY21, driven by a 41% increase in comparable store sales primarily due to lapping the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the prior year, higher product sales to and royalty revenues from our licensees including the lapping of temporary royalty relief granted in the prior year, 1,175 net new store openings, or 8% store growth, over the past 12 months, and a 10% favorable impact from foreign currency translation.

Operating income increased to $318.3 million in Q3 FY21 compared to an operating loss of $86.0 million in Q3 FY20. Operating margin of 19.2% increased from -9.1% in the prior year, primarily driven by sales leverage due to lapping the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including temporary royalty relief to international licensees and higher catastrophe wages in the prior year and, to a lesser extent, labor efficiencies across company-operated markets and favorability from higher temporary government subsidies.

Q3 Channel Development Segment Results

Net revenues for the Channel Development segment of $414.0 million in Q3 FY21 were 7% lower relative to Q3 FY20. The decline was primarily driven by a 20% unfavorable impact of Global Coffee Alliance transition-related activities, including a structural change in our single-serve business, partially offset by higher product sales and royalties in the Global Coffee Alliance and growth in our ready-to-drink business.

Operating income increased 74% to $216.0 million in Q3 FY21, up from $124.2 million in Q3 FY20. Operating margin expanded 2,440 basis points to 52.2%, primarily due to Global Coffee Alliance related activities, including the structural change in our single-serve business and growth in our ready-to-drink business.

Fiscal 2021 Guidance

Please note that Starbucks fiscal year 2021 is a 53-week year instead of the usual 52 weeks. The impact of the 53^rd week will be reflected in our results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. All guidance for the metrics noted below is for fiscal year 2021 on a 53-week basis except comparable store sales growth metrics, which are relative to fiscal year 2020 on a 52-week basis and Q4 fiscal 2020 on a 13-week basis.

Q4 Fiscal 2021 Guidance

The company introduces the following Q4 fiscal 2021 guidance:

• Global comparable store sales growth of 18% to 21%
• Americas and U.S. comparable store sales growth of 22% to 25%
• International comparable store sales growth in the mid to high single-digits
  • China comparable store sales growth roughly flat

Full Year Fiscal 2021 Guidance

The company updates the following fiscal year 2021 guidance:

• Global comparable store sales growth of 20% to 21%
  • (previously 18% to 23%)
• Americas and U.S. comparable store sales growth of 21% to 22%
  • (previously 17% to 22%)
• International comparable store sales growth of 15% to 17%
  • (previously 25% to 30%)
• China comparable store sales growth of 18% to 20%
  • (previously 27% to 32%)
• Americas approximately 800 new store openings and approximately zero net new stores
  • (previously approximately 850 new store openings and approximately 50 net new stores)
• International approximately 1,350 new store openings and 1,100 net new stores
  • (previously approximately 1,300 new store openings and 1,050 net new stores)
• Consolidated revenue of $29.1 billion to $29.3 billion, inclusive of a $500 million impact attributable to the 53^rd week
  • (previously $28.5 billion to $29.3 billion, inclusive of a $500 million impact attributable to the 53^rd week)
• Channel Development revenue of $1.5 billion to $1.6 billion
  • (previously $1.4 billion to $1.6 billion)
• Consolidated GAAP operating margin of approximately 17%
  • (previously 15% to 16%)
• Consolidated non-GAAP operating margin of approximately 18%
  • (previously 16.5% to 17.5%)
• GAAP and non-GAAP effective tax rates in the low 20%s
  • (previously low to mid-20%s)
• Capital expenditures of approximately $1.7 billion
  • (previously approximately $1.9 billion)
• GAAP EPS in the range of $2.97 to $3.02, inclusive of a $0.10 impact attributable to the 53^rd week
  • (previously $2.65 to $2.75, inclusive of a $0.10 impact attributable to the 53^rd week)
• Non-GAAP EPS in the range of $3.20 to $3.25 inclusive of a $0.10 impact attributable to the 53^rd week
  • (previously $2.90 to $3.00, inclusive of a $0.10 impact attributable to the 53^rd week)

The company reiterates the following fiscal year 2021 guidance:

• Approximately 2,150 new store openings and 1,100 net new Starbucks stores globally
  • Approximately 600 net new stores in China
• Interest expense of approximately $470 million to $480 million

Please note, the guidance provided above is dependent on our current expectations, which may be impacted by evolving external conditions, virus resurgences, local safety guidelines, shifts in customer routines, preferences and mobility as well as tax policy changes.

Please refer to the reconciliation of GAAP measures to non-GAAP measures at the end of this release.

The company will provide additional information regarding its business outlook during its regularly scheduled quarterly earnings conference call today; this information will also be available following the call on the company’s website at http://investor.starbucks.com which the company uses as a tool to disclose important information about the company and complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.

Company Updates

Conference Call

Starbucks will hold a conference call today at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time, which will be hosted by Kevin Johnson, president and ceo, and Rachel Ruggeri, cfo. The call will be webcast and can be accessed at http://investor.starbucks.com. A replay of the webcast will be available until end of day Friday, August 27, 2021.

About Starbucks

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with more than 33,000 stores worldwide, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at stories.starbucks.com or www.starbucks.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein and in our investor conference call related to these results are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the applicable securities laws and regulations. Generally, these statements can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “remain,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These statements include statements relating to: the estimated financial impact related to the COVID-19 pandemic including the outlook, guidance and projections for revenues, earnings per share, operating income, operating margins, comparable store sales, net new stores, capital expenditures, interest expense and fiscal 2021 guidance; the nature and extent of the continuing impact of COVID-19 on our business, operations and financial results; our sustainability goals and initiatives; the recovery of our business; our ability to emerge from this global crisis and drive long-term growth; and the expected sale of our ownership share in and our future relationship with Starbucks Coffee Korea Co. These forward-looking statements do not represent historical data, are based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information and are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties. Actual future results and trends may differ materially depending on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: further spread of COVID-19 and its variants; regulatory measures or voluntary actions that may be put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19, including restrictions on business operations or social distancing requirements and the duration and efficacy of such restrictions and the world-wide distribution and acceptance of vaccines; the potential for a resurgence of COVID-19 infections in a given geographic region after it has hit its “peak”; fluctuations in U.S. and international economies and currencies; our ability to preserve, grow and leverage our brands; the ability of our business partners and third-party providers to fulfill their responsibilities and commitments; potential negative effects of incidents involving food or beverage-borne illnesses, tampering, adulteration, contamination or mislabeling; potential negative effects of material breaches of our information technology systems to the extent we experience a material breach; material failures of our information technology systems; costs associated with, and the successful execution of, the company’s initiatives and plans, including the successful expansion of our Global Coffee Alliance with Nestlé; our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms; the acceptance of the company’s products by our customers, evolving consumer preferences and tastes and the availability of consumer financing; changes in the availability and cost of labor; significant increased logistic costs, including but not limited to inflationary pressures; the impact of competition; inherent risks of operating a global business; the prices and availability of coffee, dairy and other raw materials; the effect of legal proceedings; and the effects of changes in tax laws and related guidance and regulations that may be implemented and other risks detailed in the company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” sections of Starbucks Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2020 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 28, 2021. The company assumes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Certain non-GAAP measures included in our press release and in our investor conference call related to these results were not reconciled to the comparable GAAP financial measures because the GAAP measures are not accessible on a forward-looking basis. The company is unable to reconcile these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures without unreasonable efforts because the company is currently unable to predict with a reasonable degree of certainty the type and extent of certain items that would be expected to impact GAAP measures for these periods but would not impact the non-GAAP measures. Such items may include acquisitions, divestitures, restructuring and other items. The unavailable information could have a significant impact on the company’s GAAP financial results.

Two-year Comparable Store Sales

The two-year comparable store sales metric discussed in today’s investor conference call is calculated as ((1 + % change in comparable store sales in FY20) * (1 + % change in comparable store sales in FY21)) – 1. Refer to footnote 1 in the Segment Results and Supplemental Information sections in this press release for definitions of change in comparable store sales.

Key Metrics

Our financial results and long-term growth model will continue to be driven by new store openings, comparable store sales and operating margin management. These key operating metrics are important indicators for the growth of our business and the effectiveness of our marketing and operational strategies.

Contacts

Starbucks Contact, Investor Relations:
Greg Smith

206-318-7118

[email protected]

Starbucks Contact, Media:
Maggie Jantzen

206-318-7100

[email protected]

Read full story here