Kevin Johnson, CEO of Starbucks

Scott Mlyn | CNBC

Starbucks reported Tuesday that U.S. sales fell 5% in the first quarter of fiscal year after a surge in new Covid-19 cases led to tighter food restrictions.

The company also announced that COO Roz Brewer will be leaving Starbucks in late February to become CEO of another publicly traded company. Your tasks will be shared among other members of the existing management team.

In extended trading, stocks fell around 1%.

The company reported for the quarter ended December 27, versus Wall Street expectations, based on an analyst survey conducted by Refinitiv:

  • Earnings per share: 61 cents, adjusted compared to 55 cents expected
  • Revenue: $ 6.75 billion versus $ 6.93 billion expected

The company reported net income of $ 622.2 million, or 53 cents per share, for the first quarter, compared to $ 885.7 million, or 74 cents per share, a year earlier.

Without articles, the coffee giant earned 61 cents per share, exceeding the analysts surveyed by Refinitiv, 55 cents per share.

Net sales were down 5% to $ 6.75 billion, below expectations of $ 6.93 billion. Globally, the company’s sales in the same store decreased 5%. The chain saw 19% fewer transactions in the quarter, but the average ticket increased 17%.

In the US, sales in the same store were down 5%. The company’s recovery in its home market was hampered by a further surge in new Covid-19 cases as temperatures turned colder. The number of Starbucks Rewards members who have been active in the past 90 days rose 15% to 21.8 million people.

In China, Starbucks’ second largest market, sales in the same store turned positive for the first time since the health crisis began. Revenue in the same store increased 5%, although transactions were still down from the same period last year.

The company opened 278 new Netto cafes in the quarter and now has nearly 33,000 locations.

For the next quarter, Starbucks predicts US sales growth of 5% to 10%. In China, sales in the same business are expected to nearly double. It is expected to make 36 cents to 41 cents per share. Adjusted earnings per share of 45 to 50 cents are forecast.

The company also raised its outlook for FY 2021 results. Earnings per share are now expected to be between $ 2.42 and $ 2.62, compared to its previous forecast of $ 2.34 to $ 2.54.

Read the full results report here.