Starbucks CEO says artisanal pastries, protein drinks, and voice app ordering are next on tap

Core Insights - Starbucks is undergoing significant changes under CEO Brian Niccol, focusing on becoming a learning and experimental organization as it approaches 2026 [1] Technology Integration - The company is integrating AI into its operations, exemplified by the Green Dot Assist platform, which aids employees in real-time problem-solving [2] Menu and Customer Engagement - Starbucks is innovating its menu to include "protein-forward" breakfast items and artisanal pastries, while also enhancing its app for features like voice ordering and predictive ordering [3] Store Optimization - Plans to close unprofitable locations and reduce corporate jobs are in place to improve margins and reallocate resources, with a projected store count reduction of about 1% in Canada and the US [4][5] Restructuring Efforts - The company will eliminate 900 non-retail roles and incur restructuring costs of approximately $1 billion, alongside initiatives like bringing back condiment bars and remodeling 1,000 stores to enhance customer experience [6] Community Focus - Niccol emphasizes the importance of creating a community feel in stores, encouraging social interactions among customers [7]