(AP)-Starbucks expects to lose more than $3 billion in revenue in its fiscal third quarter due to the new coronavirus, but said the disruption to its business should subside through the rest of the year.
“The Starbucks brand is resilient, customer affinity is strong and we believe the most difficult period is now behind us,” Starbucks President and CEO Kevin Johnson said in an open letter.
The Seattle-based coffee giant said in a regulatory filing Wednesday that the virus outbreak will also slash its operating income between $2 billion and $2.2. billion for the quarter, which ends June 28. Starbucks plans to report its third quarter results on July 28.
Starbucks was forced to close its stores to customers at the height of the pandemic but continued to operate drive thru and pickup in many locations.
The Seattle company said 95% of its 8,000 U.S. company-run stores are now open with varying levels of service, just slightly lower than operations globally.
Starbucks said U.S. same-store sales, or sales at locations open at least a year, improved for six consecutive weeks through the end of May.
They fell by 32% the last week in May, compared to a 65% decline at the pandemic’s height in mid-April.
The company says it expects a 10% to 20% decline in U.S. same-store sales for its full fiscal year, which ends Sept. 27.
