Item 1. Business
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Item 1. Business
General
Starbucks is the premier roaster, marketer and retailer of specialty coffee in the world, operating in 81 markets. Formed in 1985, Starbucks Corporation’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “SBUX.” We purchase and roast high-quality coffees that we sell, along with handcrafted coffee, tea and other beverages and a variety of high-quality food items through company-operated stores. We also sell a variety of coffee and tea products and license our trademarks through other channels such as licensed stores, as well as grocery and foodservice through our Global Coffee Alliance with Nestlé S. A. ("Nestlé"). In addition to our flagship Starbucks Coffee brand, we sell goods and services under the following brands: Teavana, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Evolution Fresh, Ethos, Starbucks Reserve and Princi.
Our objective is to maintain Starbucks standing as one of the most recognized and respected brands in the world. To achieve this, we are continuing the disciplined expansion of our global store base, adding stores in both existing, developed markets such as the U.S., and in newer, higher growth markets such as China, as well as optimizing the mix of company-operated and licensed stores around the world. In addition, by leveraging the experience gained through our traditional store model, we continue to offer consumers new coffee and other products in a variety of forms, across new categories, diverse channels and alternative store formats. We also believe our Starbucks Global Social Impact strategy, commitments related to ethically sourcing high-quality coffee, contributing positively to the communities we do business in and being an employer of choice are contributors to our objective.
In this Annual Report on Form 10-K (“10-K” or “Report”) for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2019 (“fiscal 2019”), Starbucks Corporation (together with its subsidiaries) is referred to as “Starbucks,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our.”
Segment Financial Information
Segment information is prepared on the same basis that our management reviews financial information for operational decision-making purposes. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, we realigned Starbucks operating segment reporting structure to better reflect the cumulative effect of our streamlining efforts. Specifically, our previous China/Asia Pacific ("CAP") segment and Europe, Middle East, and Africa ("EMEA") segment have been combined into one International segment. Concurrently, results of Siren Retail, a non-reportable operating segment consisting of Starbucks ReserveTM Roastery & Tasting Rooms, certain stores under the Starbucks Reserve brand and Princi operations, which were previously included within Corporate and Other, are now reported within the Americas and International segments based on the geographical location of the operations.
We have three reportable operating segments: 1) Americas, which is inclusive of the U.S., Canada, and Latin America; 2) International, which is inclusive of China, Japan, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, and Africa; and 3) Channel Development. Non-reportable operating segments such as Evolution Fresh and unallocated corporate expenses are reported within Corporate and Other. Revenues from our reportable operating segments as a percentage of total net revenues for fiscal 2019 were as follows: Americas (69%), International (23%) and Channel Development (8%).
Our Americas and International segments include both company-operated and licensed stores. Our Americas segment is our most mature business and has achieved significant scale. Certain markets within our International operations are either in various stages of development or undergoing transformations of their business models. Therefore, they may require a more extensive support organization, relative to their current levels of revenue and operating income, than our Americas operations.
Our Channel Development segment includes roasted whole bean and ground coffees, Seattle's Best Coffee®, Starbucks- and Teavana-branded single-serve products, a variety of ready-to-drink beverages, such as Frappuccino®, Starbucks Doubleshot®, Starbucks Refreshers® beverages and TeavanaTM/MC iced tea, and other branded products sold worldwide outside of our company-operated and licensed stores. Historically our consumer packaged goods ("CPG") have been sold directly to grocery, warehouse club and specialty retail stores and through institutional foodservice companies. With the establishment of the Global Coffee Alliance with Nestlé, a large portion of our Channel Development business transitioned to a licensed model in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. Our collaborative relationships with PepsiCo, Inc., Anheuser-Busch InBev, Tingyi Holding Corp., Arla Foods and others for our global ready-to-drink beverage businesses in this segment are excluded from the Global Coffee Alliance.
Revenue Components
We generate the majority of our revenues through company-operated stores and licensed stores.
Company-operated and Licensed Store Summary as of September 29, 2019
| Americas | As a% of Total Americas Stores | International | As a% of Total International Stores | Total | As a% of Total Stores | ||||||||||||
| Company-operated stores | 9,974 | 55 | % | 5,860 | 44 | % | 15,834 | 51 | % | ||||||||
| Licensed stores | 8,093 | 45 | % | 7,329 | 56 | % | 15,422 | 49 | % | ||||||||
| Total | 18,067 | 100 | % | 13,189 | 100 | % | 31,256 | 100 | % |
The mix of company-operated versus licensed stores in a given market will vary based on several factors, including our ability to access desirable local retail space, the complexity, profitability and expected ultimate size of the market for Starbucks and our ability to leverage the support infrastructure within a geographic region.
Company-operated Stores
Revenue from company-operated stores accounted for 81% of total net revenues during fiscal 2019. Our retail objective is to be the leading retailer and brand of coffee and tea in each of our target markets by selling the finest quality coffee, tea and related products, as well as complementary food offerings, and by providing each customer with a unique Starbucks Experience. The Starbucks Experience is built upon superior customer service and a seamless digital experience as well as clean and well-maintained stores that reflect the personalities of the communities in which they operate, thereby building a high degree of customer loyalty.
Our strategy for expanding our global retail business is to increase our market share in a disciplined manner, by selectively opening additional stores in new and existing markets, as well as increasing sales in existing stores, to support our long-term strategic objective to maintain Starbucks standing as one of the most recognized and respected brands in the world. Store growth in specific existing markets will vary due to many factors, including expected financial returns, the maturity of the market, economic conditions, consumer behavior and local business practices.
Company-operated store data for the year-ended September 29, 2019:
| Stores Open as of | Stores Open as of | ||||||||||||||||
| Sep 30, 2018 | Opened | Closed | Transfers | Net | Sep 29, 2019 | ||||||||||||
| Americas: | |||||||||||||||||
| U.S. | 8,575 | 412 | (196 | ) | — | 216 | 8,791 | ||||||||||
| Canada | 1,109 | 82 | (16 | ) | — | 66 | 1,175 | ||||||||||
| Siren Retail | 6 | 3 | (1 | ) | — | 2 | 8 | ||||||||||
| Total Americas | 9,690 | 497 | (213 | ) | — | 284 | 9,974 | ||||||||||
| International (1): | |||||||||||||||||
| China | 3,521 | 629 | (27 | ) | — | 602 | 4,123 | ||||||||||
| Japan | 1,286 | 105 | (12 | ) | — | 93 | 1,379 | ||||||||||
| Thailand | 352 | 29 | (4 | ) | (377 | ) | (352 | ) | — | ||||||||
| U.K. | 335 | 6 | (53 | ) | — | (47 | ) | 288 | |||||||||
| All Other | 155 | 1 | (9 | ) | (82 | ) | (90 | ) | 65 | ||||||||
| Siren Retail | 2 | 3 | — | — | 3 | 5 | |||||||||||
| Total International | 5,651 | 773 | (105 | ) | (459 | ) | 209 | 5,860 | |||||||||
| Total company-operated | 15,341 | 1,270 | (318 | ) | (459 | ) | 493 | 15,834 |
| (1) | International store data includes the transfer of 377 company-operated stores in Thailand to licensed stores as a result of the sale of operations late in the third quarter of fiscal 2019, and the transfer of 82 company-operated stores in France and the Netherlands to licensed stores as a result of the sales of operations in the second quarter of fiscal 2019. |
Starbucks® company-operated stores are typically located in high-traffic, high-visibility locations. Our ability to vary the size and format of our stores allows us to locate them in or near a variety of settings, including downtown and suburban retail centers, office buildings, university campuses and in select rural and off-highway locations. We are continuing the expansion of our stores, particularly Drive Thru formats that provide a higher degree of access and convenience, and alternative store formats, which are focused on an elevated Starbucks Experience for our customers.
Retail sales mix by product type for company-operated stores:
| Fiscal Year Ended | Sep 29, 2019 | Sep 30, 2018 | Oct 1, 2017 | |||||
| Beverages | 74 | % | 74 | % | 73 | % | ||
| Food | 20 | % | 20 | % | 20 | % | ||
| Packaged and single-serve coffees and teas | 1 | % | 2 | % | 3 | % | ||
| Other (1) | 5 | % | 4 | % | 4 | % | ||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % |
| (1) | “Other” primarily consists of sales of serveware and ready-to-drink beverages, among other items. |
Stored Value Cards and Loyalty Program
The Starbucks Card, our branded stored value card program, is designed to provide customers with a convenient payment method, support gifting and increase the frequency of store visits by cardholders, in part through the related Starbucks® Rewards loyalty program where available, as discussed below. Stored value cards are issued to customers when they initially load them with an account balance. They can be obtained in our company-operated and most licensed stores in North America, China, Japan, and many of our markets in our International segment. Stored value cards can also be obtained on-line, via the Starbucks® Mobile App, and through other U.S. and international retailers. Customers may access their card balances by utilizing their stored value card or the Starbucks® Mobile App in participating stores. Using the Mobile Order and Pay functionality of the Starbucks® Mobile App, customers can also place orders in advance for pick-up at certain participating locations in several markets. In nearly all markets, including the U.S. and Canada, customers who register their Starbucks Cards are automatically enrolled in the Starbucks Rewards program. Registered members can receive various benefits depending on factors such as the number of reward points (“Stars”) earned. Refer to Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, included in Item 8 of Part II of this 10-K, for further discussion of our stored value cards and loyalty program.
Licensed Stores
Revenues from our licensed stores accounted for 11% of total net revenues in fiscal 2019. Licensed stores generally have a lower gross margin and a higher operating margin than company-operated stores. Under the licensed model, Starbucks receives a margin on branded products and supplies sold to the licensed store operator along with a royalty on retail sales. Licensees are responsible for operating costs and capital investments which more than offset the lower revenues we receive under the licensed store model.
In our licensed store operations, we leverage the expertise of our local partners and share our operating and store development experience. Licensees provide improved, and at times the only, access to desirable retail space. Most licensees are prominent retailers with in-depth market knowledge and access. As part of these arrangements, we sell coffee, tea, food and related products to licensees for resale to customers and receive royalties and license fees from the licensees. We also sell certain equipment, such as coffee brewers and espresso machines, to our licensees for use in their operations. Employees working in licensed retail locations are required to follow our detailed store operating procedures and attend training classes similar to those given to employees in company-operated stores. In a limited number of international markets, we also use traditional franchising and include these stores in the results of operations from our other licensed stores.
Licensed store data for the year-ended September 29, 2019:
| Stores Open as of | Stores Open as of | ||||||||||||||||
| Sep 30, 2018 | Opened | Closed | Transfers | Net | Sep 29, 2019 | ||||||||||||
| Americas: | |||||||||||||||||
| U.S. | 6,031 | 318 | (99 | ) | — | 219 | 6,250 | ||||||||||
| Mexico | 708 | 49 | (9 | ) | — | 40 | 748 | ||||||||||
| Latin America | 622 | 45 | (4 | ) | — | 41 | 663 | ||||||||||
| Canada | 409 | 34 | (11 | ) | — | 23 | 432 | ||||||||||
| Total Americas | 7,770 | 446 | (123 | ) | — | 323 | 8,093 | ||||||||||
| International (1): | |||||||||||||||||
| Korea | 1,231 | 128 | (25 | ) | — | 103 | 1,334 | ||||||||||
| U.K. | 653 | 60 | (6 | ) | — | 54 | 707 | ||||||||||
| Turkey | 453 | 47 | (6 | ) | — | 41 | 494 | ||||||||||
| Taiwan | 458 | 35 | (13 | ) | — | 22 | 480 | ||||||||||
| Indonesia | 365 | 56 | — | — | 56 | 421 | |||||||||||
| Philippines | 360 | 39 | (2 | ) | — | 37 | 397 | ||||||||||
| Thailand | — | 15 | — | 377 | 392 | 392 | |||||||||||
| All Other | 2,681 | 396 | (55 | ) | 82 | 423 | 3,104 | ||||||||||
| Total International | 6,201 | 776 | (107 | ) | 459 | 1,128 | 7,329 | ||||||||||
| Corporate and Other: | |||||||||||||||||
| Teavana | 12 | — | (12 | ) | — | (12 | ) | — | |||||||||
| Total Corporate and Other | 12 | — | (12 | ) | — | (12 | ) | — | |||||||||
| Total licensed | 13,983 | 1,222 | (242 | ) | 459 | 1,439 | 15,422 |
| (1) | International store data includes the transfer of 377 company-operated stores in Thailand to licensed stores as a result of the sale of operations late in the third quarter of fiscal 2019, and the transfer of 82 company-operated stores in France and the Netherlands to licensed stores as a result of the sales of operations in the second quarter of fiscal 2019. |
Other Revenues
Other revenues primarily are recorded in our Channel Development segment and include sales of packaged coffee, tea and ready-to-drink beverages to customers outside of our company-operated and licensed stores. Historically, revenues have included domestic and international sales of our packaged coffee, tea and ready-to-drink products to grocery, warehouse club and specialty retail stores and through institutional foodservice companies. With the establishment of the Global Coffee Alliance in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, other revenues include product sales to and licensing revenue from Nestlé under this arrangement and the amortization of the up-front prepaid royalty. See Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Deferred Revenues, for further information. Our collaborative relationships with PepsiCo, Inc., Anheuser-Busch InBev, Tingyi Holding Corp., Arla Foods and others for our global ready-to-drink beverages businesses in this segment are excluded from the Global Coffee Alliance.
Product Supply
Starbucks is committed to selling the finest whole bean coffees and coffee beverages. To ensure compliance with our rigorous coffee standards, we control substantially all coffee purchasing, roasting and packaging and the global distribution of coffee used in our operations. We purchase green coffee beans from multiple coffee-producing regions around the world and custom roast them to our exacting standards for our many blends and single origin coffees.
The price of coffee is subject to significant volatility. Although most coffee trades in the commodity market, high-altitude arabica coffee of the quality sought by Starbucks tends to trade on a negotiated basis at a premium above the “C” coffee commodity price. Both the premium and the commodity price depend upon the supply and demand at the time of purchase. Supply and price can be affected by multiple factors in the producing countries, including weather, natural disasters, crop disease, general increase in farm inputs and costs of production, inventory levels and political and economic conditions. Price is also impacted by trading activities in the arabica coffee futures market, including hedge funds and commodity index funds. In
addition, green coffee prices have been affected in the past, and may be affected in the future, by the actions of certain organizations and associations that have historically attempted to influence prices of green coffee through agreements establishing export quotas or by restricting coffee supplies.
We buy coffee using fixed-price and price-to-be-fixed purchase commitments, depending on market conditions, to secure an adequate supply of quality green coffee. We also utilize forward contracts, futures contracts, and collars to hedge "C" price exposure under our price-to-be-fixed green coffee contracts and our long-term forecasted coffee demand where underlying fixed price and price-to-be-fixed contracts are not yet available. Total purchase commitments, together with existing inventory, are expected to provide an adequate supply of green coffee through fiscal 2020.
We depend upon our relationships with coffee producers, outside trading companies and exporters for our supply of green coffee. We believe, based on relationships established with our suppliers, the risk of non-delivery on such purchase commitments is remote.
To help ensure the future supply of high-quality green coffee and to reinforce our leadership role in the coffee industry, Starbucks operates nine farmer support centers. The farmer support centers are staffed with agronomists and sustainability experts who work with coffee farming communities to promote best practices in coffee production designed to improve both coffee quality and yields and agronomy support to address climate and other impacts.
In addition to coffee, we also purchase significant amounts of dairy products, particularly fluid milk, to support the needs of our company-operated stores. We believe, based on relationships established with our dairy suppliers, that the risk of non-delivery of sufficient fluid milk to support our stores is remote.
Products other than whole bean coffees and coffee beverages sold in Starbucks® stores include tea and a number of ready-to-drink beverages that are purchased from several specialty suppliers, usually under long-term supply contracts. Food products, such as pastries, breakfast sandwiches and lunch items, are purchased from national, regional and local sources. We also purchase a broad range of paper and plastic products, such as cups and cutlery, from several companies to support the needs of our retail stores as well as our manufacturing and distribution operations. We believe, based on relationships established with these suppliers and manufacturers, that the risk of non-delivery of sufficient amounts of these items is remote.
Competition
Our primary competitors for coffee beverage sales are specialty coffee shops. We believe that our customers choose among specialty coffee retailers primarily on the basis of product quality, service and convenience, as well as price. We continue to experience direct competition from large competitors in the quick-service restaurant sector and the ready-to-drink coffee beverage market, in addition to both well-established and start-up companies in many international markets. We also compete with restaurants and other specialty retailers for prime retail locations and qualified personnel to operate both new and existing stores.
Our coffee and tea products sold through our Channel Development segment compete directly against specialty coffees and teas sold through grocery stores, warehouse clubs, specialty retailers, convenience stores and foodservice accounts and compete indirectly against all other coffees and teas on the market.
Trademarks, Copyrights, Patents and Domain Names
Starbucks owns and has applied to register numerous trademarks and service marks in the U.S. and in other countries throughout the world. Some of our trademarks, including Starbucks, the Starbucks logo, Starbucks Reserve, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Teavana, Frappuccino and Starbucks VIA are of material importance. The duration of trademark registrations varies from country to country. However, trademarks are generally valid and may be renewed indefinitely as long as they are in use and/or their registrations are properly maintained.
We own numerous copyrights for items such as product packaging, promotional materials, in-store graphics and training materials. We also hold patents on certain products, systems and designs. In addition, Starbucks has registered and maintains numerous Internet domain names, including “Starbucks.com,” “Starbucks.net,” “Starbucksreserve.com,” “Seattlesbest.com” and “Teavana.com.”
Seasonality and Quarterly Results
Our business is subject to moderate seasonal fluctuations, of which our fiscal second quarter typically experiences lower revenues and operating income. Additionally, as Starbucks Cards are issued to and loaded by customers during the holiday season, we tend to have higher cash flows from operations during the first quarter of the fiscal year. However, since revenues from Starbucks Cards are recognized upon redemption and not when cash is loaded onto the Card, the impact of seasonal fluctuations on the consolidated statements of earnings is much less pronounced. As a result of moderate seasonal fluctuations, results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for the full fiscal year.
Employees
Starbucks employed approximately 346,000 people worldwide as of September 29, 2019. In the U.S., Starbucks employed approximately 218,000 people, with approximately 209,000 in company-operated stores and the remainder in support facilities, store development, roasting, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution operations. Approximately 128,000 employees were employed outside of the U.S., with approximately 124,000 in company-operated stores and the remainder in regional support operations. The number of Starbucks employees represented by unions is not significant. We believe our current relations with our employees are good.
Information about our Executive Officers
| Name | Age | Position | ||
| Kevin R. Johnson | 59 | president and chief executive officer | ||
| Rosalind G. Brewer | 57 | group president, Americas and chief operating officer | ||
| Cliff Burrows | 60 | group president, Siren Retail | ||
| John Culver | 59 | group president, International, Channel Development and Global Coffee & Tea | ||
| Rachel A. Gonzalez | 50 | executive vice president, general counsel and secretary | ||
| Patrick J. Grismer | 57 | executive vice president, chief financial officer | ||
| Lucy Lee Helm | 62 | executive vice president, chief partner officer | ||
| John Kelly | 53 | executive vice president, Global Public Affairs and Social Impact |
Kevin R. Johnson has served as president and chief executive officer since April 2017, and has been a Starbucks director since March 2009. Mr. Johnson served as president and chief operating officer from March 2015 to April 2017. Mr. Johnson served as Chief Executive Officer of Juniper Networks, Inc., a leading provider of high-performance networking products and services, from September 2008 to December 2013. He also served on the Board of Directors of Juniper Networks from September 2008 through February 2014. Prior to joining Juniper Networks, Mr. Johnson served as President, Platforms and Services Division for Microsoft Corporation, a worldwide provider of software, services and solutions. Mr. Johnson was a member of Microsoft’s Senior Leadership Team and held a number of senior executive positions over the course of his 16 years at Microsoft. Prior to joining Microsoft in 1992, Mr. Johnson worked in International Business Machine Corp.’s systems integration and consulting business.
Rosalind G. Brewer has served as group president, Americas and chief operating officer since October 2017, and has been a director of Starbucks since March 2017. Ms. Brewer served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sam's Club, a membership-only retail warehouse club and a division of Walmart Inc., from February 2012 to February 2017. Previously, Ms. Brewer was Executive Vice President and President of Walmart's East Business Unit from February 2011 to January 2012; Executive Vice President and President of Walmart South from February 2010 to February 2011; Senior Vice President and Division President of the Southeast Operating Division from March 2007 to January 2010; and Regional General Manager, Georgia Operations, from 2006 to February 2007. Prior to joining Walmart, Ms. Brewer was President of Global Nonwovens Division for Kimberly-Clark Corporation, a global health and hygiene products company, from 2004 to 2006 and held various management positions at Kimberly-Clark Corporation from 1984 to 2006. Ms. Brewer formerly served on the Board of Directors for Lockheed Martin Corporation and Molson Coors Brewing Company. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Amazon.com, Inc. and as the Chair of the Board of Trustees for Spelman College.
Cliff Burrows joined Starbucks in April 2001 and has served as group president, Siren Retail, since September 2016, which includes the Starbucks ReserveTM Roastery & Tasting Rooms, Starbucks Reserve brand and Princi operations. On April 1, 2019 Mr. Burrows took an extended unpaid leave, also known as a "coffee break" or sabbatical. From July 2015 to September 2016, he served as group president, U.S. and Americas. From February 2014 to June 2015, he served as group president, U.S., Americas and Teavana. From May 2013 to February 2014, he served as group president, Americas and U.S., EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and Teavana. Mr. Burrows served as president, Starbucks Coffee Americas and U.S. from October 2011 to May 2013 and as president, Starbucks Coffee U.S. from March 2008 to October 2011. He served as president, EMEA from April 2006 to March 2008. He served as vice president and managing director, U.K. prior to April 2006. Prior to joining Starbucks, Mr. Burrows served in various management positions with Habitat Designs Limited, a furniture and housewares retailer.
John Culver joined Starbucks in August 2002 and has served as group president, International, Channel Development and Global Coffee & Tea, since July 2018. From October 2017 to July 2018, Mr. Culver served as group president, International and Channels. From September 2016 to October 2017, he served as group president, Starbucks Global Retail. From May 2013 to September 2016, he served as group president, China, Asia Pacific, Channel Development and Emerging Brands. Mr. Culver
served as president, Starbucks Coffee China and Asia Pacific from October 2011 to May 2013. From December 2009 to October 2011, he served as president, Starbucks Coffee International. Mr. Culver served as executive vice president; president, Global Consumer Products, Foodservice and Seattle’s Best Coffee from February 2009 to September 2009, and then as president, Global Consumer Products and Foodservice from October 2009 to November 2009. He previously served as senior vice president; president, Starbucks Coffee Asia Pacific from January 2007 to February 2009, and vice president; general manager, Foodservice from August 2002 to January 2007.
Rachel A. Gonzalez joined Starbucks and has served as executive vice president, general counsel and secretary since joining Starbucks in April 2018. Prior to joining Starbucks, Ms. Gonzalez served as executive vice president and chief administrative officer of Sabre Corporation, a technology provider to the travel industry, from May 2017 to April 2018 and as Sabre’s executive vice president and general counsel from September 2014 to May 2017. From March 2013 to September 2014, Ms. Gonzalez served as executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of Dean Foods Company, a food and beverage company, and as its executive vice president, general counsel designate from November 2012 to March 2013. She served as chief counsel, corporate and securities of Dean Foods from 2008 to November 2012. From 2006 to 2008, Ms. Gonzalez served as senior vice president and group counsel for Affiliated Computer Services, Inc., an information technology service provider. Prior to that, Ms. Gonzalez was a partner with the law firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, where she focused on corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, SEC compliance and corporate governance. Ms. Gonzalez serves on the Board of Directors of Dana Incorporated.
Patrick J. Grismer joined Starbucks in November 2018 as executive vice president, chief financial officer. From March 2016 to November 2018, Mr. Grismer served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, a global hospitality company. From May 2012 to February 2016, Mr. Grismer served as Chief Financial Officer at Yum! Brands, Inc., a global restaurant company. He previously held a number of roles at Yum!, including Chief Planning and Control Officer and Chief Financial Officer for Yum! Restaurants International. Prior to that, Mr. Grismer served in various roles at The Walt Disney Company including Vice President, Business Planning and Development for The Disneyland Resort and Chief Financial Officer for the Disney Vacation Club. Mr. Grismer began his career with Price Waterhouse.
Lucy Lee Helm joined Starbucks in September 1999, and has served as executive vice president, chief partner officer since August 2017. From May 2012 to August 2017, Ms. Helm served as executive vice president, general counsel and secretary. She served as senior vice president and deputy general counsel from October 2007 to April 2012 and served as interim general counsel and secretary from April 2012 to May 2012. Ms. Helm previously served as vice president, assistant general counsel from June 2002 to September 2007 and as director, corporate counsel from September 1999 to May 2002. During her tenure at Starbucks, Ms. Helm has led various teams of the Starbucks legal department, including the Litigation and Brand protection team, the Global Business (Commercial) team and the Litigation and Employment team. Prior to joining Starbucks, Ms. Helm was a principal at the Seattle law firm of Riddell Williams P.S. from 1990 to 1999, where she was a trial lawyer specializing in commercial, insurance coverage and environmental litigation.
John Kelly joined Starbucks in October 2013, and serves as executive vice president, Public Affairs and Social Impact. From 2013 to October 2019, Mr. Kelly served as senior vice president, Public Affairs and Social Impact. Prior to joining Starbucks, Mr. Kelly was vice president of Industry Affairs, in the Law and Corporate Affairs department of the Microsoft Corporation, a worldwide provider of software, services and solutions, from September 2007 to September 2013. From April 1998 to September 2007, Mr. Kelly served in a number of other positions with Microsoft, including Policy Counsel and Director of Corporate Affairs for Europe Middle East, and Africa. From 1996 to 1998, he served as Director of Legislative Affairs for AT&T Wireless. He has been a member of the state bar association in the State of Washington since 1996.
Global Social Impact
We are committed to being a deeply responsible company in the communities where we do business. Our focus is on ethically sourcing high-quality coffee and tea, reducing our environmental impacts and contributing positively to communities around the world. Starbucks Global Social Impact strategy and commitments are integral to our overall business strategy. As a result, we believe we deliver benefits to our stakeholders, including employees, business partners, customers, suppliers, shareholders, community members and others. For an overview of Starbucks Global Social Impact strategy and commitments, please visit www.starbucks.com/responsibility.
Available Information
Starbucks 10-K reports, along with all other reports and amendments filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), are publicly available free of charge on the Investor Relations section of our website at investor.starbucks.com or at www.sec.gov as soon as reasonably practicable after these materials are filed with or furnished to the SEC. Our corporate governance policies, code of ethics and Board committee charters and policies are also posted on the Investor Relations section of Starbucks website. The information on our website is not part of this or any other report Starbucks files with, or furnishes to, the SEC.
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