War and geopolitics
119 of 521 companies added a paragraph in Risk Factors that uses one of these words:
Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Middle East, geopolitical, war.
The paragraph is in the latest 10-K and nothing like it was in the one before.
It counts text; it does not say how serious a risk is. Words in capitals only (such as AI) must be in capitals.
By sector
Sector is the SEC's industry description of the company. Each count opens that sector's quotes below.
| Sector | Companies | Compared |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts | 2 | 2 |
| Computer Peripheral Equipment, NEC | 2 | 2 |
| Optical Instruments & Lenses | 2 | 2 |
| Air Courier Services | 1 | 1 |
| Aircraft | 1 | 1 |
| Apparel & Other Finishd Prods of Fabrics & Similar Matl | 1 | 1 |
| Canned, Fruits, Veg, Preserves, Jams & Jellies | 1 | 1 |
| Farm Machinery & Equipment | 1 | 1 |
| Gas & Other Services Combined | 1 | 1 |
| Grain Mill Products | 1 | 1 |
| Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts | 1 | 1 |
| Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment | 1 | 1 |
| Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories | 1 | 1 |
| Oil & Gas Field Machinery & Equipment | 1 | 1 |
| Paper Mills | 1 | 1 |
| Retail-Eating & Drinking Places | 1 | 1 |
| Retail-Home Furniture, Furnishings & Equipment Stores | 1 | 1 |
| Retail-Radio, Tv & Consumer Electronics Stores | 1 | 1 |
| Retail-Retail Stores, NEC | 1 | 1 |
| Services-Management Services | 1 | 1 |
| Special Industry Machinery, NEC | 1 | 1 |
| Telephone & Telegraph Apparatus | 1 | 1 |
| X-Ray Apparatus & Tubes & Related Irradiation Apparatus | 1 | 1 |
| Finance Services | 18 | 28 |
| Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys | 2 | 4 |
| Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services | 2 | 4 |
| Accident & Health Insurance | 1 | 2 |
| Converted Paper & Paperboard Prods (No Contaners/Boxes) | 1 | 2 |
| Fats & Oils | 1 | 2 |
| Industrial Organic Chemicals | 1 | 2 |
| Men's & Boys' Furnishgs, Work Clothg, & Allied Garments | 1 | 2 |
| Printed Circuit Boards | 1 | 2 |
| Pumps & Pumping Equipment | 1 | 2 |
| Radio & Tv Broadcasting & Communications Equipment | 1 | 2 |
| Rubber & Plastics Footwear | 1 | 2 |
| Services-Medical Laboratories | 1 | 2 |
| Ship & Boat Building & Repairing | 1 | 2 |
| Transportation Services | 1 | 2 |
| Services-Business Services, NEC | 7 | 16 |
| Biological Products, (No Diagnostic Substances) | 2 | 5 |
| Computer Storage Devices | 2 | 5 |
| Laboratory Analytical Instruments | 2 | 5 |
| Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. | 2 | 5 |
| Investment Advice | 3 | 8 |
| Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service | 2 | 6 |
| Computer & office Equipment | 1 | 3 |
| Computer Communications Equipment | 1 | 3 |
| General Industrial Machinery & Equipment | 1 | 3 |
| Plastic Materials, Synth Resins & Nonvulcan Elastomers | 1 | 3 |
| Soap, Detergents, Cleang Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics | 1 | 3 |
| Water Transportation | 1 | 3 |
| Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries | 1 | 3 |
| Pharmaceutical Preparations | 3 | 11 |
| Semiconductors & Related Devices | 4 | 15 |
| Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) | 1 | 4 |
| Retail-Eating Places | 1 | 4 |
| Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation | 1 | 4 |
| Real Estate Investment Trusts | 6 | 27 |
| Services-Prepackaged Software | 4 | 19 |
| Electric Services | 3 | 15 |
| Beverages | 1 | 5 |
| Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, and Control | 1 | 5 |
| Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies | 1 | 5 |
| National Commercial Banks | 2 | 11 |
| Fire, Marine & Casualty Insurance | 2 | 12 |
| Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies | 1 | 7 |
243 paragraphs · Retail-Eating & Drinking Places show all sectors
Various factors, events, or conditions may result in a diminution or erosion of trust in our brand value. Adverse developments pertaining to the matters discussed elsewhere in this risk factors section may negatively impact the value of our brands. Such developments may include difficulties executing strategic initiatives, adapting to shifting consumer preferences, or managing global operations, and challenges stemming from macroeconomic volatility, supply chain pressures and disruptions, or an evolving competitive, regulatory, social, and geopolitical landscape. The impact of such developments on the value of our brands may be exacerbated if they receive considerable publicity or if they result in litigation. The value of our brands may be affected by actual or perceived developments, whether isolated or recurring, whether the result of actions by us or our business partners or the result of external developments, and whether such developments are in our control. Negative commentary about Starbucks, even if inaccurate or malicious, has in the past, and could in the future, damage the value of our brand, and adverse impacts may be compounded by social media, video-sharing, and messaging platforms that could dramatically increase the speed with which negative publicity may be disseminated, often before we have a meaningful opportunity to investigate, respond to, and address an issue. In addition, we cannot ensure that our store partners, licensees, or other business partners will not act or refrain from acting in a manner that adversely affects the value and relevance of our brand. Because brand value is based in part on consumer perceptions on a variety of subjective qualities, it may be difficult to address developments negatively impacting the value of our brands in a timely and effective manner to mitigate harm.
Read in the 10-K filed Nov 14, 2025 ↗
We undertake these initiatives in the context of ongoing efforts to adapt to shifting consumer behaviors amid economic volatility, optimize our mix of licensed and company-operated stores, expand relevant product offerings across dayparts, and drive growth in cold beverages and Channel Development partnerships, while also advancing appropriate sustainability efforts, managing climate-related risks, and reducing operating costs. Risks to successful and timely implementation of these initiatives include delays or cancellations of store openings due to labor or material shortages, permit procurement issues, or lack of suitable real estate; supply chain scalability and sustainability challenges; underperformance or delays in product innovation; remodel disruptions or cost overruns; coordination and execution challenges; failure to realize cost savings; increased taxation; regulatory constraints, including public health mandates; credit rating deterioration; and geopolitical instability. If these initiatives fail to deliver expected results or we do not fully realize their intended benefits, our financial performance may suffer. Additionally, prioritizing these efforts over other organizational needs or misallocating resources could materially impact our business and operating results.
Read in the 10-K filed Nov 14, 2025 ↗
Any material disruption to our supply chain—such as the loss of a roasting plant, logistics interruptions, trade restrictions, pandemics, labor shortages, natural disasters, or geopolitical conflicts—could materially impact our business and profitability. We rely on a broad network of domestic and international suppliers to provide high-quality products in compliance with applicable laws, and in certain cases, products are sourced by our licensees directly. As we update our fresh and prepared food offerings, sourcing from regions with limited infrastructure or political instability may present additional challenges. For certain products, we depend on a limited number of suppliers, and their failure to meet our standards, deliver on time, or comply with regulations—factors often beyond our control—could materially harm our operations and financial results.
Read in the 10-K filed Nov 14, 2025 ↗
As a retailer reliant on discretionary spending, our financial results are sensitive to macroeconomic conditions. A prolonged downturn or slow recovery may reduce consumer spending, leading to lower demand or shifts to lower-priced products. Factors such as job loss, inflation, interest rate changes, taxation, credit access, public health crises, trade disputes, and geopolitical instability can all impact consumer behavior, including spending and routines, potentially affecting demand for our products. Reduced customer traffic or transaction value without corresponding cost reductions could pressure margins. If economic uncertainty persists, consumers may adopt lasting changes in spending habits, potentially affecting our sales, profitability, and growth plans.
Read in the 10-K filed Nov 14, 2025 ↗
•Labor unrest, geopolitical instability, terrorism, anti-American sentiment, or public health crises—especially in key markets; and
Read in the 10-K filed Nov 14, 2025 ↗