Starbucks posted 7.9% growth in global comparable sales for Q3 2026, according to its latest financial reports, with transaction growth of 4.2% and a 3.5% increase in average ticket both contributing to the gain.

The company said the result suggests customers are returning for repeat visits, rather than simply spending more per transaction. That mix is notable because comparable sales are a closely watched indicator in retail and restaurant chains: transaction growth can signal broader customer engagement, while ticket growth can reflect pricing or a shift in basket size.

Despite the increase in comparable sales, consolidated net revenues for the quarter fell 1% to US$9.3 billion. Starbucks said that decline reflects the transaction involving Starbucks China, in which it sold a 60% ownership stake in the business to Boyu Capital in April 2026.

Starbucks used part of the proceeds from the China sale to complete a series of tender offers to buy approximately US$1.3 billion aggregate principal amount of certain series of the company’s outstanding notes.

The shift drove Starbucks’ international revenue down 34%, while operating margin improved from 13.6% to 19.1%.

Starbucks Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol said the transaction growth demonstrates the success of the Back to Starbucks plan.

“Our Back to Starbucks plan was built on the belief that an extraordinary cup of coffee, human connection and customer experience win the day, every day. Our third quarter results are proof they do,” he said. “We have more work to do, but we’re relentlessly focused on reclaiming the third place and becoming the world’s greatest customer service company.”

Following what the company described as a successful third quarter — its fourth straight quarter of comparable growth — Starbucks raised its full-year guidance. The company now expects global comparable sales to approach 6% growth for FY26.

“Our third quarter results reflect the growing durability of our performance across both the top and bottom line, giving us confidence in the trajectory of our business,” said Chief Financial Officer Cathy Smith. “We are focused on what we can control amid a dynamic operating environment — executing our Back to Starbucks plan with discipline to drive connection, community and long-term value for our customers, partners, and shareholders.”

Starbucks said it opened 175 net new stores in Q3 2026, ending the period with 41,304 stores, 33% of which are company owned.

Stores in the United States accounted for 41% of Starbucks’ global portfolio, with 16,933 locations at the end of the period.