At Starbucks, innovations are grounded in a simple goal: to elevate the craft of coffee and deepen human connection. Technology is designed to work quietly in the background, empowering our partners so they can focus on craft and connection. And nothing embodies this philosophy more than our latest innovation: AI-powered automated counting.
Rolling out across our North America coffeehouses, this technology transforms how inventory is counted. With a quick scan using a handheld tablet, partners can instantly see what’s in stock —ensuring cold foam, oat milk or caramel drizzle are always available. Customers can enjoy beverages their way, every time — and partners spend less time in the backroom and more time crafting and connecting.
Developed in collaboration with NomadGo, the technology combines computer vision, 3D spatial intelligence and augmented reality to deliver fast, accurate inventory counts. In just minutes, it identifies what’s available, flags low-stock items and, soon, will even automate restock orders. It’s a farewell to manual tallies — and a hello to smarter, more seamless operations.
We’ve already deployed this innovation in thousands of coffeehouses, and the impact is clear: inventory is now counted eight times more frequently, giving us real-time visibility and enabling faster, more precise replenishment. By the end of September, AI-powered automated counting will be live in all company-operated coffeehouses across North America — and this is just the beginning.
Behind the scenes, these fast, accurate and frequent data pulses automate portions of our operations to speed up deliveries and minimize stockouts. This modernization sets the stage for smarter supply chain optimization and more frequent inventory replenishment — all designed to keep our coffeehouses ready and partners empowered.
At Starbucks, technology isn’t about bells and whistles — it’s about creating meaningful efficiencies that preserve and strengthen craft and connection. With automated counting, we’re delivering both a better experience for partners, and a more consistent, delightful experience for every customer who walks through our doors.
