Starbucks Bean Stock: Why we call our employees “Partners”
The landmark program, which offers company stock to full-time and part-time employees, was the first of its kind in the retail industry
In 1991, on the day Starbucks opened its 100th store, founder Howard Schultz stood before the company’s employees at the roasting plant in Seattle and introduced Bean Stock.
It was a retail industry first: shares of company stock awarded to every employee, both full-time and part-time.
“It is my hope that this reality of partnership deepens our sense of pride, of mutual support and of shared vision for Starbucks,” Schultz said at the time. “No matter where you are in the company – the roasting plant, the stores, the office – every person will have a stake in the success of the company.”
Bean Stock is why we call our employees “partners,” because we believe success is best when it’s shared. It’s one of the many industry-leading benefits we provide, a foundational piece that makes Starbucks one of the best jobs in retail.
Grants are awarded every fall. And partners around the world have used them in ways big and small to make a real difference in their lives, whether it’s buying a dream home or investing in the stock market for the first time or going on a big vacation.
By The Numbers
- 21 Countries where Starbucks offers Bean Stock
- $2.4B USD in pre-tax gains in Bean Stock since 2010
- 230K partners receiving Bean Stock grants in 2024
HERE’S WHAT PARTNERS HAVE DONE WITH THEIR AWARDS
For some, it’s a way to pay for a wedding, make a down payment on a home or a car, or get through an emergency. But for everyone who works for Starbucks, it’s also what makes them a partner in the company.
Climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and started a film company
Karen, a store manager in Colorado
Purchased a travel trailer for family vacations
Marianne, a store manager in British Columbia, Canada
Paid off a car
Justin, a barista in Florida
Took care of some bills
Chanel, a store manager in California
Paid for a pet’s cancer surgery
Nancy, in partner resources
Bought Eras Tour concert tickets
Cassandra, a store manager in Washington
Went to school and earned a master’s in business administration
Jacopo, a manufacturing manager at the Milan Roastery
Paid for training and certification to do emergency rescue missions
Cap, a barista in China
Put a down payment on a house
Camila, a coffee quality specialist at the Colombia Farmer Support Center
