Starbucks to open 3,400 new stores, 240,000 jobs globally by 2021

Starbucks announces plans to create more than 240,000 jobs globally by 2021 as it aims to open 3,400 new stores on that year. At least 68,000 jobs will be available in the United States alone.

The American coffee company said it accomplished its initial goal of hiring 10,000 veterans and military spouses before its 2018 deadline. Starbucks is ramping its efforts to provide more jobs to these groups, announcing its plan to expand its goal to 25,000 by 2025.

"We are better because of them," CEO Howard Schultz said of the veterans working for the company. He specifically cited their leadership skills as a boon for Starbucks’ success.

It is also set to open at least 100 more military family stores across the US in the next five years. These stores will be specifically designed to support military communities. Its employees will be composed of veterans, advocates and military spouses. Currently, the company has 32 of these stores.

Starbucks also seeks to provide jobs for young people. It said it has exceeded its goal of hiring 10,000 "opportunity youth" in the US by 2018 as it already hired over 40,000. It will expand its goal to 100,000 hires by 2020 as it aims to help young people jump-start their careers by giving them their first job. "All they are looking for is someone to open a door and to view them on their own merit," CNBC quotes Schultz.

The chain has teamed up with UN Refugee Agency, International Rescue Committee's #WithRefugees campaign and the Tent Partnership of Refugees to "scale up the company's support and efforts to reach refugee candidates." In January, Starbucks said it would give 10,000 refugees a job by 2022. It also expresses support for people of colour, as well as members of the LGBTQ community. Schultz further spoke about the company’s investment in its employees, saying the company has a moral obligation to do what is ethical and that it is not only after profits. He explained that not every business decision should be an economic one. He added that the company’s social mission is particularly significant in 2017. "We know there is a better America, because we see it every day in our stores, with our neighbors, and with our partners," Schultz said. The company operates in over 75 countries. It assured that initial hiring would begin in the US and would prioritise individuals who served the US military.