Starbucks has announced plans to cut around 900 jobs in the US and shut down underperforming stores as part of a broad cost-saving initiative. The company will also close selected outlets in the UK.
The move has sparked strong reactions among employees and alumni of the coffee chain. Many expressed their frustration online, with concerns that the company is straying from its long-held reputation of prioritising people and culture alongside profits.
In a widely-shared LinkedIn post, one senior employee described the layoffs as a signal of a “race to the bottom line”.She noted that for decades, Starbucks differentiated itself by investing in staff through benefits, culture, and commitment to craft. Two rounds of layoffs in six months, she argued, risk undermining that legacy.
Former staff echoed the sentiment. Some who were part of the earlier round of 1,100 job cuts described feelings of betrayal after decades of service, saying they once expected to retire at Starbucks. Others said the layoffs had damaged trust and made it harder for the company to position itself as an employer of choice.
Comments also highlighted disappointment with current leadership, suggesting that decisions are being driven by cost pressures rather than the values that made Starbucks a global brand. Several ex-employees expressed sadness at what they see as a shift from community and culture toward corporate greed.
The company has not issued a response to the criticism. For now, the job cuts and store closures mark one of the most visible cost-cutting efforts by Starbucks in recent years, raising questions about its future direction and its ability to maintain the culture that once set it apart.
