SEATTLE, Wash. – Starbucks met with investors at its Seattle headquarters on Tuesday, September 13th, while several hundred of its workers rallied outside for better pay and working conditions.
The company told investors it plans to spend $450 million next year to make its North American stores more efficient and less complex.
Starbucks recently saw the best week for sales in its 51-year history when it introduced its latest fall drinks.
But it says stores need better equipment to make drinks more quickly.
The company also said it plans to open 2,000 new stores in the U.S. by 2025.
The announcements come amid an ongoing unionization effort by Starbucks workers, which the company opposes.