Starbucks is eliminating corporate function roles at its hubs in London and Hong Kong, centers that oversee parts of its international operations.

Concurrently, the coffee chain is granting increased autonomy to authorized third-party operators to manage its stores outside North America.

Informed sources revealed that the Seattle-based company reduced its Hong Kong office staff by approximately 20%, equating to around 60 positions; this office handles the Asia-Pacific region excluding China and Japan.

Starbucks also eliminated roughly 120 roles in London, which serves as its headquarters for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

The company has been restructuring its corporate function teams to reduce costs and streamline what it terms redundant management layers, cutting positions responsible for coordination work.

This move comes as the company's sales have recovered following a prolonged downturn, aided by the launch of new products, marketing adjustments, and a store renovation program.

Beyond a global restructuring announcement made in May, Starbucks declined to provide further comment; at that time, the company detailed a recent round of U.S. layoffs and stated it was evaluating its international corporate function teams.