How is Starbucks using AI?

Baristas use the Green Dot Assist tool, customers can order through ChatGPT, and from fiscal 2027 Starbucks plans to test background AI models at the drive-thru and explore personalized digital menus.

How many Starbucks coffeehouses are there?

41,607 at the end of fiscal 2026, according to the company's results release of 29 October 2026.

Starbucks news

Coffeehouse chain1 story

Starbucks is the Seattle-based coffeehouse company, listed on Nasdaq as SBUX and led by chairman and CEO Brian Niccol.

A Starbucks drive-thru building with a wooden facade and a Drive Thru 24 hours sign, with cars parked outside on a sunny day. — Starbucks plans AI drive-thru tests and personalized digital menus for returning customers

AI in Industry31 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC

Starbucks will test background AI models at the drive-thru in fiscal 2027 and is exploring personalized digital menus for customers it recognizes on arrival.

Summary

On its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings call on 29 October 2026, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol said the company will begin testing background AI models at the drive-thru in fiscal 2027 to help baristas enter orders. Starbucks is also exploring ways to recognize participating customers as they arrive, show them personalized digital menus and make payment easier. Niccol called the work early. Roughly half of Starbucks customers use the drive-thru, he said.

About Starbucks

Starbucks is the Seattle-based coffeehouse company, listed on Nasdaq as SBUX and led by chairman and CEO Brian Niccol. It ended fiscal 2026 with 41,607 coffeehouses worldwide. Its AI work includes the Green Dot Assist tool for baristas, ordering through ChatGPT and planned drive-thru tests with background AI models and personalized digital menus.

Reviewed 31 Oct 2026

Facts at a glance

Type: Coffeehouse operator and licensor, Starbucks app and Starbucks Rewards loyalty program
Ticker: NASDAQ: SBUX
CEO: Brian Niccol, chairman and chief executive officer
Coffeehouses: 41,607 at the end of fiscal 2026 (27 September 2026), 32% company-operated and 68% licensed source
Q4 fiscal 2026: Consolidated net revenues $9.1 billion, down 4%; global comparable sales up 7.2% source
Drive-thru AI plan: Tests of background AI models for order entry from fiscal 2027; exploring arrival recognition and personalized digital menus (29 October 2026 earnings call) source

Questions people ask

How is Starbucks using AI?: Baristas use the Green Dot Assist tool, customers can order through ChatGPT, and from fiscal 2027 Starbucks plans to test background AI models at the drive-thru and explore personalized digital menus.
How many Starbucks coffeehouses are there?: 41,607 at the end of fiscal 2026, according to the company's results release of 29 October 2026.

From the same publisher

IT sales as a service: B2B sales outsourcing and lead generation for software and SaaS companies.

Starbucks news

Every story about Starbucks

Starbucks plans AI drive-thru tests and personalized digital menus for returning customers