finance
Starbucks to pay U.S. baristas weekly and expand tips and bonuses
Starbucks will start weekly pay in August, allow tips on mobile and app payments and roll out a bonus plan worth up to $1,200 a year as union negotiations continue.
Apr 2nd 2026 ยท United States
Insights
- Weekly pay will roll out for all U.S. store employees in August.
- Tips will be allowed on mobile orders and app-based payments starting in July.
- A new bonus structure tied to sales, operations and customer service can add up to $1,200 per year for baristas and shift supervisors.
- At about 5% of U.S. stores that are unionized the changes will be subject to collective bargaining.
- The union said the moves respond to organizing and criticized the measures as largely out of baristas' control while Starbucks says baristas average $30 an hour including benefits and has invested $500 million for peak staffing since September 2024.