Starbucks will lay off 61 employees at its Seattle headquarters, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filing. The move follows the company’s efforts to reorganize its technology department, amid broader operational restructuring.
Starbucks Announced Tech Job Cuts
On May 7, 2026, Starbucks filed a WARN notice with the Washington State Employment Security Department. The filing outlines layoffs impacting 61 employees. The decision results from a reorganization of the technology department at the Starbucks Support Center.
The affected facility is located at 2401 Utah Ave S, Suite 800, in Seattle. The layoffs are expected to take place between June 20 and August 28, 2026. The filing states that affected employees received 60 days’ notice ahead of their separation dates.
Starbucks also stated that the reorganization is not the result of relocation or contracting out of company operations.
About the Coffee Chain
Starbucks was founded in Seattle in 1971. The company has since grown into one of the world’s largest coffee chains. The chain is known for its coffee beverages, teas, and ready-to-eat food offerings.
Starbucks’ mobile app, loyalty program, and mobile ordering features are also integral to their customer engagement strategy.
According to The Economic Times, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol has been leading the company’s turnaround strategy. It aims to deliver better customer experiences, more efficient operations, better store performance, and long-term sustainable growth. As part of the strategy, the company has also closed several stores.
The company reported growth in store sales and earnings in its Q2 Fiscal Year 2026 results. The growth is driven by investments in staffing, technology, marketing, and store operations. The improved performance was fueled by increases in customer traffic, operational discipline, and improvements to the Starbucks Rewards program.
The company has also been continuing to restructure its business. Starbucks recently decided to make Nashville the new corporate office in the Southeast region. The project is expected to create up to 2,000 jobs in the region.
The move shows Starbucks’ focus on expanding across the southeastern United States. Despite the expansion, Seattle will remain the company’s global headquarters.
The company has not provided any specific details about employment transition support. However, a list of impacted job positions in the tech department has been provided.
