Starbucks to Lay Off 1,100 Corporate Employees as CEO Aims to Streamline Operations Amid Declining Sales

Starbucks plans to lay off 1,100 corporate employees and leave several hundred open positions unfilled as part of a restructuring effort led by CEO Brian Niccol. These changes aim to simplify the company's structure, reduce complexity, and create more agile teams to improve efficiency and focus on key priorities. The layoffs will not impact café workers but primarily affect corporate support roles rather than roasting, manufacturing, warehousing, or distribution. The decision comes as Starbucks faces declining same-store sales for four consecutive quarters and increased competition from cheaper rivals in major markets like the U.S. and China.