Starbucks is set to create 2,000 jobs with a new $100 million corporate office in Nashville, aiming to capitalize on the region’s growing demand.
SEATTLE — Starbucks will open a corporate office in Nashville, Tennessee, bringing 2,000 jobs to the new campus.
The coffee giant announced the move during a press conference Tuesday, saying it would help the company grow in the southeast. Starbucks will invest $100 million in the new corporate headquarters.
“It really sets us up for our next leg of growth, the next chapter of growth for us,” Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol said.
Niccol said the new headquarters will put Starbucks closer to its key suppliers, Nashville has a strong talent pool, and it puts the company in position to expand its store footprint in an area where customer demand is growing.
Nashville’s business climate was also a factor in the decision, Niccol said.
“This is because of the people of our state who have created an environment, a business environment, a community, a lifestyle environment that is attractive to people,” said Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee.
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The expansion comes as Seattle has faced criticism from businesses for high taxes and a less-friendly business environment.
Starbucks has also faced pushback from Seattle leaders over its response to unionizing efforts. In November, then-Seattle Mayor-elect Katie Wilson joined a union picket at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Capitol Hill, urging people to boycott Starbucks.
Despite this, Seattle will continue to be Starbucks’ global headquarters.
Starbucks said last month that some jobs would relocate from Seattle to Nashville, including those in direct and indirect sourcing operations teams within the supply chain. Seattle employees impacted by the change will be offered the option to relocate.
It’s unclear how many of the 2,000 roles will be moved from Seattle, but Lee said “the vast majority” would come from Tennessee.
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