The company agreed to nationwide employment terms and four years of compliance reporting.
Starbucks settled a civil rights lawsuit with the state of Florida on September 17, 2026, resolving claims that its diversity, equity, and inclusion employment policies violated state law. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the settlement agreement, concluding the litigation over the company's hiring practices.
Under the terms of the settlement, Starbucks will pay $1 million to reimburse the Florida Department of Legal Affairs for litigation costs. The company also agreed to nationwide employment commitments, including a requirement that its Chief Legal Officer submit an annual compliance certification report for four years.
The lawsuit challenged diversity initiatives established by Starbucks in 2020. Those programs had set representation targets of 30% for people of color in U.S. corporate roles and 40% in retail and manufacturing roles.
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