US lawmaker demands Starbucks close two stores in Xinjiang

A US lawmaker has demanded that Starbucks immediately close its first two stores in China's Xinjiang region. The coffee chain opened both locations on September 29, 2026.

Representative John Moolenaar, chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, issued the call in a statement on October 1, 2026. Moolenaar cited human rights concerns, pointing to the detention of 1,000,000 Uyghurs in the region.

Starbucks operates in China through a joint venture established in April 2026. Boyu Capital holds a 60% equity stake in the business, while Starbucks Corporation retains 40%.

As of September 27, 2026, Starbucks had 8,342 operational stores across the Chinese mainland. The company recorded 331 net store additions in mainland China during fiscal 2026. By comparison, Starbucks operated 16,933 total stores in the United States as of June 28, 2026.