Missouri Sues Starbucks Over DEI Policies, Claims Discrimination

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FEB 12

Above: A sign displays early closing hours for diversity training at a Starbucks in Philadelphia, PA, on May 29, 2018. Image copyright: Michelle Gustafson/Bloomberg via Getty Imagesstory last updated FEB 12

The Facts

A suit brought by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey against Starbucks reached St. Louis federal court on Tuesday. The case alleges the corporation's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies violate federal and state laws through systematic discrimination.
Bailey challenged Starbucks' practices, adopted in 2020, including tying executive compensation to achieving racial and gender-based hiring quotas and implementing specific training programs for preferred groups.
Bailey's lawsuit claims Missouri consumers face higher prices and longer wait times because Starbucks isn't hiring based purely on qualifications. Analysts attribute these issues to inflation and drink customization complexity.

The Spin

Republican narrative

DEI policies amount to unlawful discrimination. Creating a quota system favoring certain groups over others violates civil rights laws and leads to decreased service quality and higher costs for consumers. These practices harm qualified workers who are excluded owing to their race or gender.

Washingtontimes Unherd

Democratic narrative

The lawsuit represents a politically motivated attack on legitimate efforts to create equal opportunities and address historical workplace disparities. Starbucks' programs are lawful, inclusive, and designed to ensure fair competition while building a diverse workforce that better serves all communities.

Newsweek CBS