Starbucks Coffee Company
FACT SHEET: Starbucks Commitment to our Veterans
November 2014
A COMMITMENT TO OUR VETERANS
Veterans and military spouses have not only made some of the biggest sacrifices to protect and serve our country and
its citizens, but they also possess skill sets, leadership qualities and relevant experience that can benefit the business
world and our communities. We owe it not only to them, but to our communities and workplaces, to recognize the skills
they bring and support them as they pursue jobs outside of military service.
 With the goal of raising awareness and attention to the heroism, skills and contributions of veterans, and the
opportunity for veterans to be the next generation of America’s private and public sector leaders, Starbucks
has made a commitment to hire at least 10,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2018.
 To change how people see and engage with our veterans, and to express gratitude and recognize their service
and sacrifice, Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman, president and ceo, has co-authored a book with Rajiv
Chandrasekaran, associate editor at The Washington Post called FOR LOVE OF COUNTRY: What Our Veterans
Can Teach Us About Citizenship, Heroism, and Sacrifice. Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to veteran
service organizations.
 Coinciding with the book launch, Starbucks and HBO are hosting “THE CONCERT FOR VALOR,” on the
National Mall in Washington, D.C., to be presented live on HBO this Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11.
A MISSION TO HIRE MILITARY VETERANS AND SPOUSES
In 2013 Starbucks announced a commitment to hire at least 10,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2018.
We've already hired and placed over 1,000 veterans and military spouse candidates into roles that are leveraging
their considerable leadership, discipline and operational experience. We have plans to double that hiring number next
year. An update on our progress:
 Veterans and military spouses have been hired by Starbucks in 48 states (everywhere except VT, NH)
 The majority of these new hires join our stores as partners from baristas to regional directors.
 Other partners are serving in support center roles throughout the organization with 59 partners working
across 18 departments including store development, global operations, supply chain operations and channel
development.
 Of the more than 1,000 veterans and military spouses hired, more than 12% are executives, 20% are regional
directors, 14% are in store operations, and 10% are in store development roles.
 To identify and attract potential candidates we have hired a dedicated military recruiter, with plans to hire 6
more in cities where there are large military populations.
 We have increased our presence at military job fairs serving veterans, student veterans and military spouses.
 We have attended more than 80 on base connections and career fairs, hosted more than 450 candidate career
coaching conversations and forged 3 new strategic partnerships for the purpose of recruitment: US
Chamber/Hire our Heroes, Recruit Military and Hire Americas Heroes.
If you have questions or need more information, you may contact (206) 318-7100 or [email protected].
© 2014 Starbucks Coffee Company. All rights reserved.
Starbucks Coffee Company
FACT SHEET: Starbucks Commitment to our Veterans
November 2014
CREATING A WORKPLACE THAT RECOGNIZES AND CELEBRATES SERVICE
Success isn’t found only in the numbers. We have the vision of creating a workplace that truly recognizes, honors and
celebrates the service and efforts of our veterans. We are encouraging them to share their story through a number of
ways:
 Roll Call: We invited our partners to self-identify their military status
and share their story. As a result, we’ve seen hiring accelerate as our
store managers are inspired by the talent and demonstrated value
the military community brings to Starbucks.
 Patriotic Aprons: Partners who have self-identified through Roll Call
are presented with a patriotic apron that is adorned with an American
flag and their military affiliation. This partner-inspired idea is a
meaningful way for us to honor our veteran and military spouse
partners.
 Honor Wall: At our headquarters in the Support Center located in
Seattle, we have an honor wall to express our gratitude and recognize current Starbucks partners who are
veterans and military spouses. Inspired by partners from our Armed Forces Network and the ‘challenge coins’
used in military culture to recognize special achievements, the wall features partners’ names and their military
role engraved on coins.
 Involvement in the community: As part of our commitment, we are in the process of designating 12 “Military
Family Stores” with the goal of enhancing our connection to military communities through partnerships with
local military bases and veteran service organizations. Building on our recruiting efforts, these stores will have
design components and merchandise that reflect our appreciation for military service.
FOR LOVE OF COUNTRY
On November 4th, FOR LOVE OF COUNTRY: What Our Veterans Can Teach Us About Citizenship, Heroism, and
Sacrifice will be available nationwide. Co-written by Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman, president, and ceo and
Rajiv Chandrasekaran, associate editor at The Washington Post, the book offers a compelling account of the valor
displayed in both the battlefield and at home during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sharing individual stories and
highlighting the post-military journey of veterans who have established themselves as doctors, teachers and mentors,
the book paints the picture of the modern veteran, the important role they can play in our communities and how we
should support them in their ventures post-service. The stories upend some popular assumptions by introducing
readers to veterans like:
 Bill Krissoff, an orthopedic surgeon whose son was killed in Iraq in 2006, spurring
himself to enlist at age 61
 David Oclander, a lieutenant colonel who became a teacher in Chicago when he
learned that more kids died on the streets there than did in Afghanistan in 2011
 Kellie McCoy, who received a Bronze Star for “willingly and repeatedly taking
action to gather up her soldiers under enemy fire and save the lives of her fellow soldiers.”
 Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to veteran service
organizations. Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
If you have questions or need more information, you may contact (206) 318-7100 or [email protected].
© 2014 Starbucks Coffee Company. All rights reserved.
Starbucks Coffee Company
FACT SHEET: Starbucks Commitment to our Veterans
November 2014
THE CONCERT FOR VALOR
A first-of-its-kind concert presented by Starbucks, HBO and Chase, “THE
CONCERT FOR VALOR,” will honor the courage and sacrifice of America’s
veterans and their families. Taking place on the National Mall in Washington,
D.C., on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, the concert is free to the public,
and will be presented live on HBO at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT. The concert will
feature star-studded entertainment, including Eminem, Jamie Foxx, Dave Grohl,
Metallica, John Oliver, Rihanna, Bruce Springsteen, Carrie Underwood and Zac
Brown Band, as well as special appearances by Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks and
Steven Spielberg, among many others.
If you have questions or need more information, you may contact (206) 318-7100 or [email protected].
© 2014 Starbucks Coffee Company. All rights reserved.