Starbucks held its 27th annual shareholders meeting at the Wamu Theater in Seattle on Wednesday.
On stage before a packed room of 4,000, Starbucks President and CEO Kevin Johnson laid out his vision of where the company is headed in 2019.
“We celebrate the history of Starbucks with our eyes on the future,” said Johnson. “It was a year of progress amplifying the importance of playing the long game.”
The future that includes the coffee giant's first ever private equity investment of $100 million in tech innovations to help improve both workers’ productivity and customers’ experience.
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“That’s the trick. That’s why we are able to perform. That’s why we are still growing,” said John Kelly, Starbucks senior vice president of global impact.
Growth that includes Starbucks' 30,000th store opening this week in China.
Here in the U.S., the company is celebrating its second year in a row of gender and race pay equity.
The company also plans to test fully compostable and recyclable cups in markets across the country and around the world.
Outside the shareholders meeting, protesters voiced concerns of workers being mistreated at eastern Washington farms that supply to Starbucks.
“Dairy workers are upset because they have been experiencing wage theft, sexual harassment, retaliation, and great number of accidents,” said protestor Indira Trejo.
Starbucks tells KIRO 7 it's a legal issue in which the company is not involved.
“We obviously have zero tolerance for any abuse but this a matter between two parties,” said Kelly.
The coffee giant said its focus is on positive community impact and financial growth, with the company's overall revenue now close to $25 billion.
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