Starbucks To Raise Employee Wages By 5 Percent Or More In October

Starbucks employees are getting a raise (and so are its drink prices).

A company announcement shared that effective October 3, "all partners and store managers in U.S. company-operated stores will receive an increase in base pay of 5% or greater." The percentage increase will depend on "geographic and market factors."

The company also promises to improve upon its Bean Stock program, an annual award for partners who have been with the company for two continuous years or more.

Changes are coming to the company's benefits program and online benefits platform to better serve its employees, and there are vague promises to improve scheduling issues and employee dress code, two particularly hot topics for Starbucks employees.

On the reception of this announcement, there is a general feeling of cautious optimism, Consumerist reported. A Reddit user commented, "This isn't a letter for partners to read. This is a letter that they will somehow get into the media so that public perception of the company will go back up. People will read this letter and think that it's such a wonderful company whereas in reality it won't get any better for the partners."

Check out our story on the new affogato-style Frappuccinos from Starbucks.