Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Thursday the state had settled with Starbucks over discriminatory hiring practices.
The lawsuit was filed under the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992, and alleged the company engaged in employment practices that violated the Act by having race- and sex-based goals, quotas and preferences for hiring.
“Every Floridian deserves to be hired, promoted, and compensated based on merit, qualifications, and character—not race or sex,” Uthemier said in the release. “This resolution ensures that Starbucks’ policies and practices fully comply with Florida’s civil rights laws. DEI can never be an excuse to violate civil rights. We appreciate Starbucks’ cooperation in reaching this settlement.”
Under the resolution, Starbucks has to get rid of all quotas, goals or preferences around gender or race in the hiring process, and fully comply with the Act. Additionally, the company also can't participate in any organizations that require increasing the racial diversity of its board of directors.
Starbucks must submit annual certifications for the next four years showing it is complying with the Act, and must pay the Florida Department of Legal Affairs $1 million as reimbursement for the cost of suing the company.
However, Starbucks did not have to admit to any wrongdoing as part of the resolution.
“We’re pleased to have resolved this matter without admission of wrongdoing and appreciate the constructive engagement of the Attorney General’s Office throughout this process,” Pilar Ramos, Starbucks executive vice president and chief legal officer, said in the release. “We will continue to focus on offering great jobs and career opportunities to our partners who wear the green apron, while making a positive impact on the communities we serve in Florida and around the world.”
Starbucks Workers United, the union representing Starbucks workers at over 700 stores nationwide, criticized the move.
It's official: Starbucks is gutting DEI policies company-wide to curry favor with Florida politicians as our union's call for a boycott grows.
Vote with your dollar. BOYCOTT STARBUCKS. pic.twitter.com/YHZUqNPSha
— Starbucks Workers United (@SBWorkersUnited) September 21, 2026
The union is currently calling for a nationwide boycott of Starbucks over alleged violations of labor laws.
