Starbucks Reports Q2 Fiscal 2021 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) reported Q2 fiscal 2021 results with consolidated net revenues of $6.7 billion, an 11% increase year-over-year, primarily driven by a 15% rise in comparable store sales. GAAP EPS rose to $0.56 from $0.28, while non-GAAP EPS increased to $0.62 from $0.32. Global comparable store sales were up 15%, with international sales soaring by 35%. The company affirmed its fiscal 2021 guidance, projecting revenues between $28.5 billion and $29.3 billion. Starbucks continues to adapt amidst changing customer needs while celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Positive

• Q2 consolidated net revenues of $6.7 billion, up 11% YoY.
• GAAP EPS increased to $0.56 from $0.28 YoY; non-GAAP EPS rose to $0.62 from $0.32.
• Global comparable store sales grew 15%, international sales surged 35%.
• Maintained fiscal 2021 revenue guidance of $28.5 billion to $29.3 billion.

Negative

• Americas comparable store sales rose 9%, but transactions declined by 10%.
• Channel Development segment revenues fell 29% YoY, primarily due to Global Coffee Alliance transition-related activities.

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) today reported financial results for its 13-week fiscal second quarter ended March 28, 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.

“I am very pleased with our progress to date in fiscal 2021, as our second quarter results demonstrated impressive momentum in the business with full sales recovery in the U.S. Our strong results validate our ability to adapt to changes in our environment and the needs of our customers,” said Kevin Johnson, president and ceo.

“We have positioned Starbucks for the inevitable great human reconnection that we see unfolding in the U.S. and will propagate in every market around the world, where people once again connect with others face-to-face to heal, to belong, to reflect, to share and to celebrate. Starbucks was built for this moment, and as we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we remain confident in our ability to execute our ‘Growth at Scale’ agenda and unlock the full potential of the Starbucks brand,” concluded Johnson.

Q2 Fiscal 2021 Highlights

• Global comparable store sales increased 15%, driven by a 19% increase in average ticket, partially offset by a 4% decline in comparable transactions
  • Americas comparable store sales increased 9%, driven by a 22% increase in average ticket, partially offset by a 10% decline in comparable transactions; U.S. comparable store sales increased 9%, driven by a 21% increase in average ticket, partially offset by a 10% decline in comparable transactions
  • International comparable store sales increased 35%, driven by a 26% increase in comparable transactions and a 7% increase in average ticket; China comparable store sales increased 91%, driven by a 93% increase in transactions, slightly offset by a 1% decline in average ticket; International and China comparable store sales are inclusive of a benefit from value-added tax exemptions in China reinstated as of January 1, 2021, of approximately 4% and 9%, respectively
• The company opened 5 net new stores in the second quarter of fiscal 2021, yielding 3% year-over-year unit growth, ending the period with 32,943 stores globally, of which 51% and 49% were company-operated and licensed, respectively
  • Net new store openings reflect the impact of approximately 300 U.S. and Canada company-operated store closures in relation to the acceleration of the Americas Trade Area Transformation initiative announced last June, which is part of our ongoing strategy to strengthen and optimize our portfolio
  • Stores in the U.S. and China comprised 62% of the company’s global portfolio at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2021, with 15,288 and 4,973 stores, respectively
• Consolidated net revenues of $6.7 billion increased 11% from the prior year, mainly driven by a 15% growth 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, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of Global Coffee Alliance transition-related activities
• GAAP operating margin of 14.8% increased from 8.1% in the prior year primarily driven by sales leverage from business recovery and the lapping of COVID-19 related costs in the prior year, partially offset by growth and investments in wages and benefits for store partners
  • Non-GAAP operating margin of 16.1%, up from 9.2% in the prior year
• GAAP earnings per share of $0.56, up from $0.28 in the prior year
  • Non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.62, up from $0.32 in the prior year
• Starbucks® Rewards loyalty program 90-day active members in the U.S. increased to 22.9 million, up 18% year-over-year

Q2 Americas Segment Results

	Quarter Ended
($ in millions)	Mar 28, 2021		Mar 29, 2020		Change (%)
Change in Comparable Store Sales (1)	9%		(3)%
Change in Transactions	(10)%		(7)%
Change in Ticket	22%		5%
Store Count	18,120		18,271		(1)%
Revenues	$4,664.6		$4,330.0		8%
Operating Income	$905.3		$621.2		46%
Operating Margin	19.4%		14.3%		510 bps

(1)

Includes only Starbucks® company-operated stores open 13 months or longer. Comparable store sales exclude the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and Siren Retail stores. Stores that are temporarily closed or operating at reduced hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic remain in comparable store sales while stores identified for permanent closure have been removed.

Net revenues for the Americas segment grew 8% over Q2 FY20 to $4.7 billion in Q2 FY21, primarily driven by 9% growth in company-operated comparable store sales, partially offset by lower product sales to and royalty revenues from our licensees, primarily due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Americas segment reported operating income of $905.3 million in Q2 FY21, compared to $621.2 million in Q2 FY20. Operating margin of 19.4% expanded 510 basis points, primarily driven by the lapping of COVID-19 related costs in the prior year, sales leverage from business recovery, pricing, temporary government subsidies and the benefits of Trade Area Transformation, partially offset by growth and investments in wages and benefits for store partners. The pandemic-related costs incurred in the prior year were largely catastrophe and service pay for store partners, as well as inventory write-offs.

Q2 International Segment Results

	Quarter Ended
($ in millions)	Mar 28, 2021		Mar 29, 2020		Change (%)
Change in Comparable Store Sales (1)	35%		(31)%
Change in Transactions	26%		(32)%
Change in Ticket	7%		1%
Store Count	14,823		13,779		8%
Revenues	$1,610.9		$1,134.6		42%
Operating Income/(Loss)	$251.5		($15.4)		nm
Operating Margin/(Loss)	15.6%		(1.4)%		1,700 bps

(1)

Includes only Starbucks® company-operated stores open 13 months or longer. Comparable store sales exclude the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and Siren Retail stores. Stores that are temporarily closed or operating at reduced hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic remain in comparable store sales while stores identified for permanent closure have been removed. For the second quarter of fiscal 2021, the International segment's comparable store sales included a 4% benefit related to a temporary value-added tax exemption in China.

Net revenues for the International segment grew 42% over Q2 FY20 to $1.6 billion in Q2 FY21, driven by 35% growth in comparable store sales primarily due to lapping the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the prior year, an 8% favorable impact from foreign currency translation and 1,044 net new store openings, or 8% store growth, over the past 12 months, partially offset by lower product sales to and royalty revenues from our licensees, primarily due to the persisting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The International segment reported operating income of $251.5 million in Q2 FY21 compared to operating loss of $15.4 million in Q2 FY20. Operating margin of 15.6% increased from (1.4)% in the prior year, primarily driven by sales leverage due to lapping the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the prior year and, to a lesser extent, favorability from temporary government subsidies.

Q2 Channel Development Segment Results

	Quarter Ended
($ in millions)	Mar 28, 2021		Mar 29, 2020		Change (%)
Revenues	$369.9		$519.1		(29)%
Operating Income	$172.6		$189.6		(9)%
Operating Margin	46.7%		36.5%		1,020 bps

Net revenues for the Channel Development segment of $369.9 million in Q2 FY21 were 29% lower relative to Q2 FY20. The decline was primarily driven by a 30% unfavorable impact of Global Coffee Alliance transition-related activities, including a structural change in our single-serve business and lapping additional product sales in the prior year to Nestlé to transition Foodservice order fulfillment, partially offset by growth in our ready-to-drink business.

Operating income decreased 9% to $172.6 million in Q2 FY21, down from $189.6 million in Q2 FY20. Operating margin expanded 1,020 basis points to 46.7%, primarily due to the structural change in our single-serve business, lapping the transition of Foodservice order fulfillment to Nestlé in the prior year and growth in our ready-to-drink business.

Full Year 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 full-year 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.

The company updates the following fiscal year 2021 guidance:

• Consolidated revenue of $28.5 billion to $29.3 billion, inclusive of a $500 million impact attributable to the 53^rd week
  • (previously $28.0 billion to $29.0 billion, inclusive of a $500 million impact attributable to the 53^rd week)
• Consolidated GAAP operating margin of 15% to 16%
  • (previously 14% to 15%)
• Consolidated non-GAAP operating margin of 16.5% to 17.5%
  • (previously 16% to 17%)
• GAAP EPS in the range of $2.65 to $2.75, inclusive of a $0.10 impact attributable to the 53^rd week
  • (previously $2.42 to $2.62, inclusive of a $0.10 impact attributable to the 53^rd week)
• Non-GAAP EPS in the range of $2.90 to $3.00 inclusive of a $0.10 impact attributable to the 53^rd week
  • (previously $2.70 to $2.90, inclusive of a $0.10 impact attributable to the 53^rd week)
• GAAP and non-GAAP effective tax rates in the low to mid-20%s
  • (previously mid-20%s)

The company reiterates the following fiscal year 2021 guidance:

• Global comparable store sales growth of 18% to 23%
• Americas and U.S. comparable store sales growth of 17% to 22%
• International comparable store sales growth of 25% to 30%
  • China comparable store sales growth of 27% to 32%
• Approximately 2,150 new store openings and 1,100 net new Starbucks stores globally
  • Americas approximately 850 new store openings and approximately 50 net new stores
  • International approximately 1,300 new store openings and 1,050 net new stores
    • Approximately 600 net new stores in China
• Channel Development revenue of $1.4 billion to $1.6 billion
• Interest expense of approximately $470 million to $480 million
• Capital expenditures of approximately $1.9 billion

Please note, the guidance provided above is dependent on our current expectations, which may be impacted by evolving external conditions, 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.

Company Updates

1. In January, the company announced its commitment to invest $100 million by 2025 to create the Starbucks Community Resilience Fund. The fund focuses on advancing racial equity and environmental resilience by supporting small business growth and community development projects in Black, Indigenous and People of Color neighborhoods with historically limited access to capital.
2. As a progression towards environmental goals previously announced in 2020, in March, the company announced its commitment to achieving carbon neutral green coffee and conserve water usage in green coffee processing by 50% by 2030.
3. In March, the company celebrated its 50th anniversary during its Annual Meeting of Shareholders. During the virtual meeting, senior leadership and partners from around the world gathered to reflect on the company’s history and celebrate the remarkable story of Starbucks.
4. In March, the company published its third edition of an objective assessment of its work on civil rights, called the Civil Rights Assessment. This evaluation conducted by Covington & Burling LLP under the leadership of former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Jr. addresses the company's progress over time. It also provides recommendations for improvements to advancing inclusion, diversity and equity on behalf of our partners, customers and communities.
5. The Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.45 per share, payable on May 28, 2021, to shareholders of record as of May 13, 2021.

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, May 28, 2021.

About Starbucks

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with nearly 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 outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) 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 impact of COVID-19 on our business, operations and financial results; the anticipated timing and effects of recovery of our business, including our ability to expand seating and operating hours at our stores; our plans for streamlining our operations, including store openings, closures and changes in store formats and models; our ability to continue steady business improvement and improve customer and partner experiences; and our ability to emerge from this global crisis and drive long-term growth. 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; 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; 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; 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 December 27, 2020. 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 Year 1) * (1 + % change in comparable store sales in Year 2)) - 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.

STARBUCKS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(unaudited, in millions, except per share data)
	Quarter Ended											Quarter Ended
	Mar 28,				Mar 29,				%			Mar 28,			Mar 29,
	2021				2020				Change			2021			2020
												As a % of total net revenues
Net revenues:
Company-operated stores	$	5,653.1			$	4,766.0			18.6	%		84.8	%		79.5	%
Licensed stores	595.0				689.8				(13.7)			8.9			11.5
Other	419.9				539.9				(22.2)			6.3			9.0
Total net revenues	6,668.0				5,995.7				11.2			100.0			100.0
Product and distribution costs	1,992.4				1,997.7				(0.3)			29.9			33.3
Store operating expenses	2,823.3				2,721.4				3.7			42.3			45.4
Other operating expenses	87.7				95.0				(7.7)			1.3			1.6
Depreciation and amortization expenses	366.7				356.3				2.9			5.5			5.9
General and administrative expenses	464.4				406.5				14.2			7.0			6.8
Restructuring and impairments	23.0				(0.7)				nm			0.3			—
Total operating expenses	5,757.5				5,576.2				3.3			86.3			93.0
Income from equity investees	77.1				67.9				13.5			1.2			1.1
Operating income	987.6				487.4

FAQ

What are Starbucks' Q2 fiscal 2021 earnings results for SBUX?

Starbucks reported Q2 fiscal 2021 earnings with consolidated revenues of $6.7 billion, GAAP EPS of $0.56, and non-GAAP EPS of $0.62.

How did comparable store sales perform in Q2 FY21 for SBUX?

Global comparable store sales increased by 15% in Q2 FY21, with international sales up 35%.

What is Starbucks' guidance for full-year fiscal 2021?

Starbucks expects full-year fiscal 2021 revenues between $28.5 billion and $29.3 billion.

What were the significant changes in Starbucks' store count in Q2 FY21?

Starbucks opened 5 net new stores, ending the quarter with 32,943 stores globally.

What challenges did Starbucks face in the Americas segment during Q2 FY21?

The Americas segment reported a 10% decline in transaction volume despite a 9% sales increase.