Starbucks settled a discrimination lawsuit with the state of Florida regarding its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. The company will halt race- or sex-based preferences in hiring, promotions, and compensation across all U.S. operations.
Starbucks will pay $1 million to the Florida Department of Legal Affairs to cover costs. The company did not admit to any wrongdoing as part of the agreement.
The lawsuit, filed in December 2025, accused Starbucks of violating the Florida Civil Rights Act. Florida alleged the company set racial hiring goals and tied executive pay to diversity targets.
Starbucks must provide annual compliance certifications for the next four years. These certifications must ensure employment practices remain neutral regarding race and sex nationwide.