Starbucks signed an MoU to set up its first India global capability centre in Chennai, with plans for 800 tech jobs.

What Starbucks announced

Starbucks will set up a global capability centre (GCC) in Chennai, its first in India. It signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Guidance TN, the state's investment promotion agency, at the Secretariat in Chennai with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay present, according to DT Next.

The centre is expected to create 800 jobs for technology professionals. It will run separately from Starbucks' retail joint venture in India with Tata Consumer Products. Neither report gives an investment amount, specific roles, an office location or a start date.

Why Chennai

Starbucks Chief Technology Officer Anand Varadarajan pointed to Chennai's large pool of skilled tech workers and lower attrition. DT Next also reports him naming strong infrastructure and state incentives as reasons. The Chief Minister said the choice showed confidence in Tamil Nadu and its young people.

The bigger picture

The deal came days after Walgreens signed an MoU for its first India GCC in Chennai. DT Next, citing industry reports, says Tamil Nadu has more than 465 GCCs.

Across India, YourStory reports more than 2,100 GCCs, up from about 1,600 five years ago, employing around 2.3 million people. Citing a study by recruitment firm Xpheno, it says GCCs hired 180,000 people in FY26, 60,000 more than IT services companies.