Starbucks slashing 1,100 corporate roles to ‘reduce complexity’

What’s going on at Starbucks?

Starbucks is eliminating approximately 1,100 corporate roles as part of its “Back to Starbucks” plan.

“We are simplifying our structure, removing layers and duplication and creating smaller, more nimble teams,” CEO Brian Niccol said in a note to staff on Feb. 24.

“Our intent is to operate more efficiently, increase accountability, reduce complexity, and drive better integration. All with the goal of being more focused and able to drive greater impact on our priorities.”

Niccol added that affected employees, which includes “all global support partners, communicating decisions specific to non-retail, support partners,” will be notified on Feb. 25.

SEE ALSO
• Starbucks’ return-to-office mandate for 2025: Guide for Canadian employees
• Rogers Communications cuts customer service jobs, part of restructuring
• Chevron planning to slash up to 20% of staff, offering voluntary buyouts

Are in-store workers affected?

No. The latest workforce reduction at Starbucks doesn’t affect employees at the coffee chain’s cafes.

Impact on Canadian staff

It remains unclear if Starbucks plans to trim its corporate workforce in Canada.

According to LinkedIn, the company employs more than 10,300 Canadians.

Next steps for Starbucks employees

If you’re fired or let go at Starbucks, understanding your legal rights is crucial.

Non-unionized employees in Canada are entitled to severance pay. The amount you’re owed is based on a variety of factors, including your role, tenure, age, and ability to find similar work.

WATCH: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru delves into severance pay on an episode of the Employment Law Show.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Compensation: Severance packages, which can be as much as 24 months’ pay, may include salary, bonuses, commissions, and other forms of compensation. Use our firm’s free Severance Pay Calculator to better understand your entitlements.
• Deadlines: You generally have up to two years from the date of your termination to review and negotiate severance offers.
• Action steps: Consult an employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP to ensure your severance package is fair and aligns with Canadian employment laws.

Major employers slashing staff

Starbucks isn’t the only major scaling back its staffing levels in 2025.

Other big names, including Mohawk College, JPMorgan, Vale, Meta, Canada Post, Workday, ADM, Amazon, Shopify, Stripe, BP, Microsoft, Hudson’s Bay, and Wayfair, have also pulled out the axe.

SEE ALSO
• ‘We lost our agility’: Estée Lauder planning to slash up to 7,000 jobs
• Canada’s immigration department slashing workforce by 25%
• Where are layoffs happening in Canada?

Lost your job? Contact us

If you’re fired or let go at Starbucks for any reason, the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can help.

Our lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia have helped tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals resolve their workplace issues.

Call us today at 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation online.

Disclaimer: The materials above are provided as general information about the rights of non-unionized employees in Canada. It is not specific to any one company and SHOULD NOT be read as suggesting any improper conduct on the part of any specific employer, or a relationship between Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and a specific employer.