Starbucks Growth in Augusta, Georgia 

The Beta Gamma Sigma honor students at the Hull College of Business had the opportunity to tour the Starbucks roasting facility in Augusta, GA. The Augusta Starbucks plant is the only plant in the company that produces soluble coffee and is the single source for the Frappuccino coffee base used in blended beverages.

Starbucks has seen 6% to 7% growth globally over the last year and their highest selling product is the ready-made Frappuccino drinks sold in stores. Augusta’s clientele consists mostly of large distribution centers, retail stores, and grocery stores while Costco is their biggest soluble client. The Augusta plant is in the process of adding to their plant, which will add six new whole bean roasters, making it the seventh largest roasting plant globally.

Sheila Luke, the finance and product manager spoke with the students on their company’s practices and initiatives. Starbucks has initiatives in place, such as hiring 10,000 refugees, hiring 50,000 veterans, and setting up students for success who go straight into the workforce after high school. While much of their workforce in Augusta is manufacturing, the plant also has positions in human resources, accounting, planning, public relations, and quality control.

The Hull College of Business looks forward to returning to the Starbucks plant once the new construction is finished in hopes to expand its business engagement efforts through developing similar partnerships with other organizations.