Streamlining global store expansion with real-time insights

The Challenge

Starbucks, a global coffee chain, had a significant challenge to overcome — it needed a centralized platform for efficient communication. As the director of construction for the U.S. Licensed Store Business, Sara Angus oversees the construction of 300-350 new stores and the renovation of 600–800 stores every year. With so much in motion, Starbucks needed a way to cut out miscommunication, streamline construction and order data for trend forecasting and analytics.

The Solution

Procore presented an ideal solution for Starbucks — a single platform for all communication and data management. By allowing full control over its data and owner-specific tools, Procore helps Starbucks track vital metrics for forecasting, cost analysis and trend identification. It also meets owner-specific needs with a unified space for licensees and general contractors to interact seamlessly, which eliminates communication barriers and keeps all stakeholders in sync.

The Results

• Owners can now stay aligned with contractors, streamlining Starbucks' construction progress and achieving project milestones
• More comprehensive metrics and views, enabling vendor performance analysis leading to corrective action if necessary
• Powerful forecasting to mitigate material cost pressures and accurately predict costs

Shaping the ‘First Sip Moment’

Starbucks, the world’s most well-known coffee chain, believes in delivering perfection. Established in 1971, the company has expanded to deliver excellence to more than 80 markets worldwide. With Procore’s help, Starbucks is able to ensure that every store they hand over to a licensee (franchise owner) meets its high-quality standards. Procore has helped the coffee conglomerate improve its turnkey turnover process, resulting in the ultimate ‘first sip moment’ –– a delightful experience that Starbucks aims to offer each customer in their newly constructed or renovated stores.

“I’ve used Procore on the general contracting side, but now I’m using it on the owners’ side at Starbucks,” says Angus. “It’s a different view that meets owner-specific needs. The way general contractors use Procore is fundamentally different than how owners do, and there’s a huge benefit to having that understanding on the owner’s side — you get to see the metrics and views you need when you need them.”

Procore also handles Starbucks’ communication needs. With the platform, general contractors employed by the licensees can stay in sync with Starbucks’ construction project flow, ensuring that milestones are met effectively. “What Procore does for us is provide a unified space for our licensees, architects of record, vendor partners, general contractors and for ourselves to interact in one space,” says Angus.

Almost all licensees engaged on the Procore platform have seen the benefits of its comprehensive project management capabilities. “We align all of our partners around the same goal,” Angus adds. “Procore allows us to set up those milestones and hold each other accountable to what we said we would do in the beginning.” Procore’s accessible platform for all communication has improved the construction process and mitigated risks caused by communication gaps.

Improved Forecasting with a Built-For-Construction Platform

Part of building the future is the ability to see it coming, and Procore changed the game for the franchise. “Procore allows us to forecast with data we own. It’s not just about managing construction projects; it’s about owning the entire journey, from cost analysis to the first sip moment at every Starbucks store,” she says. Starbucks takes ownership of its data with Procore, ensuring vital analytics are readily accessible. Integrating Procore into Starbucks’ construction process marked a significant step forward in retail construction.

Procore’s financial management solutions help Starbucks prepare for the future. For both internal and external forecasting, historical cost data and change order percentages allow Starbucks to confidently present accurate pricing to licensees.

Starbucks’ experience with Procore illustrates the significant value that a unified communication and project management platform can provide to businesses. As the world’s most successful coffee chain continues to construct and renovate hundreds of stores each year in every conceivable market, Procore will remain an essential tool to ensure efficient, cost-effective and high-quality results.