Starbucks resolves Florida DEI lawsuit with blockbuster nationwide agreement

EXCLUSIVE — Starbucks will pay Florida $1 million and will not use race-and sex-based goals, quotas and preferences in employment practices companywide under a sweeping settlement ending the state's civil rights lawsuit against the coffee giant.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier's office confirmed to Fox News Digital that the agreement applies to all Starbucks operations nationwide, not just the company's locations in Florida.

"Every Floridian deserves to be hired, promoted and compensated based on merit, qualifications and character — not race or sex," Uthmeier told Fox News Digital.

"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." The negotiated resolution ends the lawsuit Uthmeier filed in December 2025 accusing Starbucks of violating the Florida Civil Rights Act through racial and sex-based goals, quotas and preferences in its workplace policies.

GOP FRESHMAN FIREBRAND TARGETS GLOBAL CONSULTING GIANT OVER 'PLAINLY ILLEGAL' DEI PRACTICES Under the agreement, Starbucks committed to complying with the state civil rights law, which prohibits race and sex-based preferences in hiring, promotions, pay, executive compensation, mentorship programs, supplier selection and board composition.

The company also agreed it will not participate in organizations that require it to increase the racial diversity of its board of directors.

GEORGIA DISTRICT QUIETLY TRAINED TEACHERS TO BLAME 'WHITENESS,' 'DECOLONIZE' UNDER FEDERAL CRACKDOWN: REPORT Starbucks' chief legal officer will be required to submit annual certifications of the company's continued compliance for four years.

The company will also pay $1 million to the Florida Department of Legal Affairs to reimburse the office for the time, expenses and costs of bringing the case.

"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, executive vice president and chief legal officer of Starbucks said.

"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." The agreement includes no admission of liability or wrongdoing by Starbucks.

SEATTLE MAYOR’S STARBUCKS BOYCOTT CALL SLAMMED BY LOCAL RADIO HOST AS COFFEE GIANT ADDS NASHVILLE-BASED ROLES The settlement follows Uthmeier's lawsuit, which alleged Starbucks had turned diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives into a system that discriminated based on race.