424B5
Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration Number 333-190955

 

The information contained in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell the notes and are not soliciting an offer to buy the notes in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion,

Preliminary Prospectus Supplement dated May 11, 2016

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated September 3, 2013)

 

LOGO

$            

Starbucks Corporation

$                      % Senior Notes due         

$             2.100% Senior Notes due 2021

 

 

Starbucks is offering $             aggregate principal amount of         % Senior Notes due              (the “             notes”) and $             aggregate principal amount of 2.100% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “2021 notes” and, together with the              notes, the “notes”). The              notes will mature on          ,    . Starbucks will pay interest on the          notes semiannually on              and              of each year, beginning                     , 2016. The 2021 notes will mature on February 4, 2021. Starbucks will pay interest on the 2021 notes semiannually on February 4 and August 4 of each year, beginning August 4, 2016. Starbucks may redeem some or all of the notes of either series in whole at any time or in part from time to time prior to their maturity at the applicable redemption prices described under “Description of Notes — Redemption.” If Starbucks experiences a change of control triggering event, it may be required to offer to purchase the notes from holders as described under “Description of Notes — Offer to Repurchase upon a Change of Control Triggering Event.”

The 2021 notes offered hereby constitute a further issuance of, and will be consolidated with, the $500,000,000 principal amount of 2.100% Senior Notes due 2021 issued by Starbucks on February 4, 2016 and form a single series with those notes. The 2021 notes offered hereby will have the same CUSIP number as such previously issued notes and will trade interchangeably with such previously issued notes immediately upon settlement. Upon consummation of this offering, the aggregate principal amount of our 2.100% Senior Notes due 2021, including the 2021 notes offered hereby, will be $            .

The notes will be Starbucks’ senior unsecured obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with all of its other senior unsecured indebtedness from time to time outstanding. The notes of each series will be issued only in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 thereof.

 

 

Investing in the notes involves risks that are described or referred to in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement.

 

     Per         
Note
    Total      Per 2021
Note
    Total  

Initial public offering price(1)

                $                                 $                

Underwriting discount

                $                                 $                

Proceeds, before expenses, to Starbucks

                $                                 $                

 

(1) Plus accrued interest from                     , 2016, if settlement occurs after that date, for the              notes.

Plus accrued interest from February 4, 2016 to the date of settlement of the 2021 notes or, $             per $1,000 principal amount of 2021 notes, assuming the date of settlement is                     , 2016.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Delivery of the notes offered hereby in book-entry form will be made only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company for the accounts of its participants, including Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, and Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. on or about                     , 2016.

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

BofA Merrill Lynch   Morgan Stanley   Wells Fargo Securities
Sustainability Structuring Agent
for                      Notes
   

The date of this prospectus supplement is                     , 2016.


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You should carefully read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus we have authorized. You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We and the underwriters are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, the notes only in jurisdictions where such offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus supplement or the date of the accompanying prospectus and the information in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or of any sale of the notes. If the information varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement supersedes the information in the accompanying prospectus.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

     Page  

About this Prospectus Supplement

     S-i   

Prospectus Supplement Summary

     S-1   

Risk Factors

     S-5   

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     S-9   

Use of Proceeds

     S-10   

Description of Notes

     S-12   

Description of Certain Other Indebtedness

     S-29   

Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

     S-31   

Underwriting

     S-37   

Legal Matters

     S-42   

Experts

     S-42   

Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference

     S-42   
Prospectus   

About this Prospectus

     1   

The Company

     1   

Risk Factors

     1   

Forward-Looking Statements

     2   

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     2   

Use of Proceeds

     2   

Description of Debt Securities

     3   

Legal Matters

     10   

Experts

     10   

Where You Can Find More Information

     10   

Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference

     11   


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document is comprised of two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which contains the terms of this offering of notes and other information. The second part is the accompanying prospectus dated September 3, 2013, which is part of our Registration Statement on Form S-3 (SEC Registration No. 333-190955) and contains more general information, some of which does not apply to this offering.

This prospectus supplement may add to, update or change the information in the accompanying prospectus. If information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with information in the accompanying prospectus, this prospectus supplement will apply and will supersede that information in the accompanying prospectus.

It is important for you to read and consider all information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in making your investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents to which we have referred you in “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and in “Where You Can Find More Information” in the accompanying prospectus.

No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representation that is different from, or in addition to, those contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized. Neither the delivery of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, nor any sale made hereunder, shall under any circumstances create any implication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date of this prospectus supplement, or that the information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is correct as of any time subsequent to the date of such information.

The distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the offering of the notes in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell, or an invitation on our behalf or the underwriters or any of them, to subscribe for or purchase any of the notes, and may not be used for or in connection with an offer or solicitation by anyone, in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. See “Underwriting.”

In this prospectus supplement, unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, references to “Starbucks,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “Company” refer to Starbucks Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries. If we use a capitalized term in this prospectus supplement and do not define the term in this prospectus supplement, it is defined in the accompanying prospectus.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information from, or incorporated by reference in, this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, but may not contain all the information that may be important to you. You should read this entire prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and those documents incorporated by reference carefully, including the “Risk Factors” and the financial statements and the related notes, before making an investment decision.

Starbucks Corporation

Starbucks is the premier roaster, marketer and retailer of specialty coffee in the world, operating in 71 countries. We purchase and roast high-quality coffees that we sell, along with handcrafted coffee, tea and other beverages and a variety of fresh food items, including snack offerings, through company-operated stores. We also sell a variety of coffee and tea products and license our trademarks through other channels such as licensed stores, grocery and foodservice accounts. In addition to our flagship Starbucks Coffee brand, we sell goods and services under the following brands: Teavana, Tazo, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Evolution Fresh, La Boulange and Ethos.

Our objective is to maintain Starbucks standing as one of the most recognized and respected brands in the world. To achieve this, we are continuing the disciplined expansion of our global store base, adding stores in both existing, developed markets such as the US, and in newer, higher growth markets such as China, as well as optimizing the mix of company-operated and licensed stores in each market. In addition, by leveraging the experience gained through our traditional store model, we continue to offer consumers new coffee and other products in a variety of forms, across new categories, and through diverse channels. We also believe our Starbucks Global Responsibility strategy, commitments related to ethically sourcing high-quality coffee and contributing positively to the communities we do business in, and being an employer of choice are contributors to our objective.

Our principal executive offices are located at 2401 Utah Avenue South, Seattle, Washington 98134, and our telephone number is (206) 447-1575. We maintain a website at http://www.starbucks.com. The information on our website is not part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

 



 

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The Offering

The following summary is a summary of the notes, and is not intended to be complete. It does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. For a more complete understanding of the notes, please refer to the section entitled “Description of Notes” in this prospectus supplement and the section entitled “Description of Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

Issuer

Starbucks Corporation, a Washington corporation.

 

Notes Offered

$             aggregate principal amount of         % Senior Notes due             .

 

  $             aggregate principal amount of 2.100% Senior Notes due 2021.

 

Maturity

The              notes will mature on             ,             .

 

  The 2021 notes will mature on February 4, 2021.

 

Interest Payment Dates

Interest on the              notes will be paid semiannually in arrears on              and              of each year, beginning                     , 2016.

 

  Interest on the 2021 notes will be paid semiannually in arrears on February 4 and August 4 of each year, beginning August 4, 2016.

 

Interest

The              notes will bear interest at         % per year. Interest on the              notes will accrue from                     , 2016.

 

  The 2021 notes will bear interest at 2.100% per year. Interest on the 2021 notes will accrue from February 4, 2016. The initial interest payment on August 4, 2016 to holders of record on July 20, 2016 of the 2021 notes offered hereby will be the same per note as the interest paid on August 4, 2016 to holders of record on July 20, 2016 of the 2.100% Senior Notes due 2021 previously issued.

 

Optional Redemption

In the case of the              notes, at any time prior to             ,              (             months prior to the maturity date of the              notes), and in the case of the 2021 notes, at any time prior to January 4, 2021 (one month prior to the maturity date of the 2021 notes), we may redeem the notes of the applicable series, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at our option, at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

 

    100% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes to be redeemed; and

 

    the sum of the present value of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the notes being redeemed (exclusive of interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the redemption date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months), at the Treasury Rate (as defined herein) plus              basis points, in the case of the              notes, and 15 basis points, in the case of the 2021 notes,

 



 

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  plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the notes being redeemed to the redemption date.

 

  In addition, in the case of the              notes, at any time on and after             ,              (             months prior to the maturity date of the              notes), and in the case of the 2021 notes, at any time on and after January 4, 2021 (one month prior to the maturity date of the 2021 notes), we may redeem some or all of the notes of the applicable series, at our option, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to the date of redemption. See “Description of Notes — Redemption.”

 

Offer to Repurchase Upon a Change of Control Triggering Event

Upon the occurrence of a “Change of Control Triggering Event,” as defined under “Description of Notes — Offer to Repurchase upon a Change of Control Triggering Event,” we will be required, unless we have exercised our option to redeem the notes, to make an offer to repurchase the notes at a price equal to 101% of their aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of repurchase.

 

Ranking

The notes will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other senior unsecured indebtedness, whether currently existing or incurred in the future. As of March 27, 2016, we had $2,850.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes outstanding and $149.1 million outstanding under our commercial paper program. The notes will be senior in right of payment to our subordinated indebtedness and effectively junior in right of payment to our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that indebtedness. As of March 27, 2016, we had no secured indebtedness. The notes will be effectively subordinated to any existing or future indebtedness or other liabilities, including trade payables, of any of our subsidiaries. As of March 27, 2016, our subsidiaries had $1.8 million of indebtedness (excluding trade payables).

 

Certain Covenants

The indenture governing the notes contains covenants that, among other things, will limit our ability to:

 

    incur, create, assume or guarantee any debt for borrowed money secured by a lien upon any principal property or shares of stock or indebtedness of any subsidiary that owns any principal property;

 

    enter into certain sale and lease-back transactions; and

 

    consolidate with or merge into, or transfer or lease all or substantially all of our assets to, any other party.

 

 

These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications that are described under the heading “Description of Notes — Certain Covenants — Limitation on Liens,” “— Limitation

 



 

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on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions” and “— Limitation on Mergers and Other Transactions.”

 

Use of Proceeds

We intend to allocate the net proceeds from the sale of the              notes to new and existing investments to be made in whole or in part in one or more Eligible Sustainability Projects as described under “Use of Proceeds.” We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the 2021 notes for general corporate purposes, including the repurchase of our common stock under our ongoing share repurchase program, business expansion, payment of cash dividends on our common stock or the financing of possible acquisitions. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Form and Denomination

We will issue the notes of each series in the form of one or more fully registered global notes, without coupons, registered in the name of the nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). Beneficial interests in the global notes will be represented through book-entry accounts of financial institutions acting on behalf of beneficial owners as direct and indirect participants in DTC. Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, and Euroclear Bank, S.A./N.V. will hold interests on behalf of their participants through their respective U.S. depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in accounts as participants of DTC. Except in the limited circumstances described in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus, owners of beneficial interests in the global notes will not be entitled to have notes registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive notes in definitive form and will not be considered holders of notes under the indenture. The notes of each series will be issued only in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

Further Issuances

We may, from time to time, without giving notice to or seeking the consent of the holders or beneficial owners of either series of notes offered hereby, issue additional debt securities having the same terms (except for the issue date and, in some cases, the public offering price and the first interest payment date) as, and ranking equally and ratably with, the notes of such series. Any additional debt securities having such similar terms, together with the notes of the applicable series offered hereby, will constitute a single series of securities under the indenture.

 

Risk Factors

Your investment in the notes will involve risks. You should carefully consider all of the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as well as the specific factors under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-5.

 

Trustee

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas.

 

Governing Law

The indenture and the notes will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 



 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in the notes offered by this prospectus supplement involves risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors described below as well as those incorporated by reference to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the notes.

Risks Relating to this Offering and the Notes

Increased leverage may harm our financial condition and results of operations.

As of March 27, 2016, we had approximately $7,423.0 million of total liabilities on a consolidated basis, including $2,850.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes outstanding and $149.1 million outstanding under our commercial paper program. Our commercial paper program has a borrowing limit of $1 billion (of which approximately $851 million was available as of March 27, 2016), which is backstopped by our revolving credit facility. The current commitment under our revolving credit facility is $1.5 billion, which may be increased to $2.25 billion, upon the consent of the lenders under our revolving credit facility.

We and our subsidiaries may incur additional indebtedness in the future and, subject to limitations on debt for borrowed money secured by liens on our principal properties or shares of stock or indebtedness of any subsidiaries that own any principal properties, the notes do not restrict future incurrence of indebtedness. This increase and any future increase in our level of indebtedness will have several important effects on our future operations, including, without limitation, that:

 

    we will have additional cash requirements to support the payment of interest on our outstanding indebtedness;

 

    increases in our outstanding indebtedness and leverage may increase our vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic and industry conditions, as well as to competitive pressure;

 

    our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, general corporate and other purposes may be limited; and

 

    our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and our industry may be limited.

Our ability to make payments of principal and interest on our indebtedness depends on our future performance, which will be subject to general economic conditions, industry cycles and financial, business and other factors affecting our consolidated operations, many of which are beyond our control. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future to service our debt, we may be required, among other things:

 

    to seek additional financing in the debt or equity markets;

 

    to refinance or restructure all or a portion of our indebtedness, including the notes;

 

    to sell selected assets;

 

    to reduce or delay planned capital expenditures; or

 

    to reduce or delay planned operating expenditures.

Such measures might not be sufficient to enable us to service our debt, including the notes. In addition, any such financing, refinancing or sale of assets might not be available on economically favorable terms.

 

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The notes will be effectively subordinated to the debt of our subsidiaries, which may limit your recovery.

The notes are our obligations and not obligations of any of our subsidiaries. A significant portion of our operations is conducted through our subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation to pay any amounts due pursuant to the notes or otherwise to make any funds available to us to repay our obligations, whether by dividends, loans or other payments. Moreover, our rights to receive assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or reorganization, and the ability of holders of the notes to benefit indirectly therefrom, will be effectively subordinated to the claims of creditors of that subsidiary, including trade creditors. As of March 27, 2016, our subsidiaries had $1.8 million of indebtedness (excluding trade payables).

The notes are subject to prior claims of any secured creditors, and if a default occurs, we may not have sufficient funds to fulfill our obligations under the notes.

The notes are our senior unsecured general obligations, ranking equally with other senior unsecured indebtedness. The indenture governing the notes permits us and our subsidiaries to incur additional secured debt under specific circumstances. If we incur any secured debt, all or a portion of our assets will be subject to prior claims by our secured creditors. If our subsidiaries incur any secured debt, all or a portion of their assets will be subject to prior claims by their secured creditors. In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or other winding up, assets that secure debt will be available to pay obligations on the notes only after all debt secured by those assets has been repaid in full. Holders of the notes will participate in our remaining assets ratably with all of our other unsecured and senior creditors, including our trade creditors. If we incur any additional obligations that rank equally with the notes, including trade payables, the holders of those obligations will be entitled to share ratably with the holders of the notes in any proceeds distributed upon our bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or other winding up. This may have the effect of reducing the amount of proceeds paid to you. If there are not sufficient assets remaining to pay all these creditors, all or a portion of the notes then outstanding would remain unpaid. As of March 27, 2016, we did not have any secured indebtedness.

We intend to continue to repurchase our stock and pay cash dividends to shareholders, which will reduce cash reserves and shareholders’ equity that is available for repayment of the notes.

We expect to continue to repurchase our common stock under our previously announced share repurchase program and to pay cash dividends to shareholders. These expenditures may be significant, and would reduce cash and shareholders’ equity that is available to repay the notes.

The provisions of the notes will not necessarily protect you in the event of a highly-leveraged transaction.

The terms of the notes will not necessarily afford you protection in the event of a highly-leveraged transaction that may adversely affect you, including a reorganization, recapitalization, restructuring, merger or other similar transactions involving us. As a result, we could enter into any such transaction even though the transaction could increase the total amount of our outstanding indebtedness, adversely affect our capital structure or credit rating or otherwise adversely affect the holders of the notes. These transactions may not involve a change in voting power or beneficial ownership or result in a downgrade in the ratings of the notes, or, even if they do, may not necessarily constitute a change of control triggering event that affords you the protections described in this prospectus supplement. If any such transaction should occur, the value of your notes may decline.

We have made only limited covenants in the indenture governing the notes and these limited covenants may not protect your investment.

The indenture governing the notes does not:

 

    require us to maintain any financial ratios or specific levels of net worth, revenues, income, cash flows or liquidity and, accordingly, does not protect holders of the notes in the event that we experience significant adverse changes in our financial condition or results of operations;

 

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    limit our subsidiaries’ ability to incur indebtedness which would effectively rank senior to the notes;

 

    limit our ability to incur indebtedness that is equal in right of payment to the notes;

 

    restrict our ability to repurchase our common stock; or

 

    restrict our ability to make investments or to pay dividends or make other payments in respect of our common stock or other securities ranking junior to the notes.

Furthermore, the indenture governing the notes contains only limited protections in the event of a change of control and similar transactions. We could engage in many types of transactions, such as acquisitions, refinancings or recapitalizations, that could substantially affect our capital structure and the value of the notes but may not constitute a change of control that, upon any resulting downgrade in credit rating below investment grade, permits holders to require us to repurchase their notes.

We may not be able to repurchase all of the notes upon a change of control triggering event, which would result in a default under the notes.

We may be required to offer to repurchase the notes upon the occurrence of a change of control triggering event as provided in the indenture governing the notes. However, we may not have sufficient funds to repurchase the notes in cash at such time. In addition, our ability to repurchase the notes for cash may be limited by law or the terms of other agreements relating to our indebtedness outstanding at the time. Our failure to repurchase the notes as required under the indenture governing the notes would result in a default under the indenture, which could have material adverse consequences for us and the holders of the notes. See “Description of Notes — Offer to Repurchase upon a Change of Control Triggering Event.”

Redemption may adversely affect your return on the notes.

We may choose to redeem the notes at times when prevailing interest rates are relatively low. As a result, you may not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as the notes being redeemed. Such redemption right of ours also may adversely impact your ability to sell your notes, and/or the price at which you could sell your notes, as the redemption date approaches.

Changes in our credit ratings may adversely affect the value of the notes.

Our long term debt is subject to periodic review by independent credit rating agencies. Such ratings are limited in scope, and do not address all material risks relating to an investment in the notes, but rather reflect only the view of each rating agency at the time the rating is issued. Such ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold the notes. An explanation of the significance of such rating may be obtained from such rating agency. There can be no assurance that such credit ratings will remain in effect for any given period of time or that such ratings will not be lowered, suspended or withdrawn entirely by the rating agencies, if, in each rating agency’s judgment, circumstances so warrant. Actual or anticipated changes or downgrades in our credit ratings, including any announcement that our ratings are under further review for a downgrade, are likely to adversely affect the market value of the notes and could increase our corporate borrowing costs. In this circumstance, no person or entity is obliged to provide any additional support or credit enhancement with respect to the notes.

There may not be active trading markets for the notes and the market prices of the notes may be volatile.

There are no existing markets for the              notes and we do not intend to apply for listing of the notes of either series on any securities exchange or any automated quotation system. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that trading markets for the notes of either series offered hereby will ever develop or will be maintained. Further, there can be no assurance as to the liquidity of any markets that may develop for the notes, your ability to sell your notes or the prices at which you will be able to sell your notes. Future trading prices of the notes will depend on many factors, including but not limited to prevailing interest rates, our financial

 

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condition and results of operations, the then-current ratings assigned to the notes and the market for similar securities. The market price of the              notes may also be impacted by any failure by us to use the net proceeds from such notes on Eligible Sustainability Projects or to meet or continue to meet the investment requirements of certain environmentally focused investors with respect to such notes. Any trading market that develops would be affected by many factors independent of and in addition to the foregoing, including:

 

    time remaining to the maturity of the notes;

 

    outstanding amount of the notes;

 

    the terms related to the optional redemption of the notes; and

 

    level, direction and volatility of market interest rates generally.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our ratios of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated.

 

     Two
Quarters Ended
     Fiscal Years Ended  
     March 27,
2016
     September 27,
2015
     September 28,
2014
     September 29,
2013(2)
     September 30,
2012
     October 2,
2011
 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1)

     11.9x         12.5x         10.6x         —           9.5x         7.7x   

 

(1) The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing (i) income/(loss) from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and income from equity investees, plus distributed income from equity investees, amortization of capitalized interest and fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest) by (ii) fixed charges. Fixed charges include amortization of debt-related expenses, capitalized interest during the period and the interest portion of rental expense. Fixed charges exclude interest on uncertain tax positions, which is recorded in income tax expense (benefit) in our consolidated statement of earnings.
(2) For the fiscal year ended September 29, 2013, our earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $373.5 million. Fiscal 2013 results include a pretax charge of $2,784.1 million resulting from the conclusion of our arbitration with Kraft Foods Global, Inc.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Use of proceeds for the              notes

We estimate the net proceeds from the sale of the              notes will be approximately $             after deduction of underwriting discounts and the pro rata offering expenses for such notes. We intend to allocate the net proceeds of the sale of the              notes to new and existing investments made in whole or in part in one or more Eligible Sustainability Projects. Eligible Sustainability Projects are expenditures made by Starbucks or any of its subsidiaries in accordance with any of the following:

 

    Coffee purchases, including related expenditures for coffee transportation and storage, from suppliers verified by a third-party as complying with Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices, a set of criteria, developed by Starbucks in partnership with Conservation International, for responsibly grown and sourced coffee requiring quality, transparency of payments, safe, fair and humane working conditions, adequate living conditions, minimum wage baselines, prohibitions on child labor, forced labor and discrimination, measures to manage waste, protection of water quality, conservation of water and energy, preservation of biodiversity and reduction in agrochemical use;

 

    Development and operation of farmer support centers and agronomy research and development centers; and

 

    New and refinanced loans made through Starbucks’ $50 million Global Farmer Fund to alleviate access to finance issues for coffee farmers, either via direct loans to farmers or via loans to organizations that provide funding for trade finance to farmers, as well as investments in restoration and infrastructure improvements.

We expect to allocate the majority of the net proceeds from the sale of the              notes to Eligible Sustainability Projects within one year of the date of issuance.

Our global coffee sourcing and responsibility teams will assess and determine project eligibility periodically and recommend an allocation of proceeds to Eligible Sustainability Projects. Our finance team will track the allocation of proceeds to such projects. Pending the allocation of the net proceeds of the sale of the              notes to Eligible Sustainability Projects, we will temporarily invest such amounts in cash, cash equivalents and/or treasury securities. Payments of principal and interest on the              notes will be made from the Company’s general funds and will not be directly linked to the performance of the Eligible Sustainability Projects.

Throughout the term of the              notes, until the net proceeds have been fully allocated to Eligible Sustainability Projects, we will provide, on a dedicated section of the Starbucks website at http://www.starbucks.com and in our annual Global Responsibility Report, (i) an annual update of the allocation of the proceeds of the              notes to Eligible Sustainability Projects, describing (subject to confidentiality considerations) select projects funded and, where possible, their environmental and/or social impacts, and (ii) assertions by management that the net proceeds of the              notes are allocated to either qualifying Eligible Sustainability Projects or invested in cash, cash equivalents and/or treasury securities. These updates and assertions will be accompanied by a report from an independent accountant in respect of the independent accountant’s examination of management’s assertions conducted in accordance with attestation standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Information contained on our website and our Global Responsibility Report is not and should not be deemed a part of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other report or filing filed with the SEC.

Use of proceeds for the 2021 notes

We estimate the net proceeds from the sale of the 2021 notes offered hereby will be approximately $             after deduction of underwriting discounts and the pro rata offering expenses for such notes (and not including the amount of accrued interest paid by the purchasers of the 2021 notes offered hereby). We intend to use the

 

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net proceeds of the sale of the 2021 notes for general corporate purposes, including the repurchase of our common stock under our ongoing share repurchase program, business expansion, payment of cash dividends on our common stock or the financing of possible acquisitions. We may temporarily invest funds that are not immediately needed for these purposes in short-term investments, including marketable securities.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

The following description of certain material terms of the notes offered hereby does not purport to be complete. This description adds information to the description of the general terms and provisions of the debt securities in the accompanying prospectus. To the extent this summary differs from the summary in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the description of notes in this prospectus supplement.

The notes will be issued under and governed by an indenture dated as of August 23, 2007 (the “base indenture”) between us and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (the “trustee”), as supplemented by the fifth supplemental indenture, dated as of February 4, 2016, with respect to the 2021 Notes (the “fifth supplemental indenture”), and a supplemental indenture to be entered into between us and the trustee on the date of issue of the          notes, with respect to the          notes (the “sixth supplemental indenture” and together with the fifth supplemental indenture and the base indenture, the “indenture”). The following description is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the indenture. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in the following description are defined in the indenture. As used in the following description, the terms “Starbucks,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “Company” refer to Starbucks Corporation, a Washington corporation, and not any of its Subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.

We urge you to read the indenture (including definitions of terms used therein) because it, and not this description, defines your rights as a beneficial holder of the notes. You may request copies of the indenture from us at our address set forth under “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

General

The notes are two series of senior debt securities issued under the indenture. The trustee will also act as registrar, paying agent and authenticating agent and perform administrative duties for us, such as sending out interest payments and notices under the indenture.

The aggregate principal amount of the          notes will initially be $            , and the          notes will mature on             ,         . The aggregate principal amount of the 2021 notes offered hereby will be $            , and the 2021 notes will mature on February 4, 2021. The 2021 notes offered hereby constitute a further issuance of, and will be consolidated with, the $500,000,000 principal amount of 2.100% Senior Notes due 2021 issued by us on February 4, 2016 and form a single series with those notes. The 2021 notes offered hereby will have the same CUSIP number as such previously issued notes and will trade interchangeably with such previously issued notes immediately upon settlement. Upon consummation of this offering, the aggregate principal amount of our 2.100% Senior Notes due 2021, including the 2021 notes offered hereby, will be $            . The notes of each series will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons, in minimum denominations of $2,000 with integral multiples of $1,000 thereof.

The notes are general unsecured senior obligations of Starbucks and will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsecured senior indebtedness, whether currently existing or incurred in the future. As of March 27, 2016, we had $2,850.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes outstanding and $149.1 million outstanding under our commercial paper program. The notes will be senior in right of payment to our subordinated indebtedness and effectively junior in right of payment to our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that indebtedness. As of March 27, 2016, we had no secured indebtedness. The notes will not be guaranteed by any of our Subsidiaries and thus will be effectively subordinated to any existing or future indebtedness or other liabilities, including trade payables, of any of our Subsidiaries. As of March 27, 2016, our Subsidiaries had $1.8 million of indebtedness (excluding trade payables). The notes are not subject to, and do not have the benefit of, any sinking fund.

The          notes will bear interest at a fixed rate per year of         %, starting on             , 2016 and ending on their maturity date. Interest on the          notes will be payable semiannually in arrears on                  and

 

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                 of each year, beginning on             , 2016. All payments of interest on the          notes will be made to the persons in whose names the          notes are registered on the                      or                      preceding the next applicable interest payment date.

The 2021 notes will bear interest at a fixed rate per year of 2.100%, starting on August 4, 2016 and ending on their maturity date. Interest on the 2021 notes will be payable semiannually in arrears on February 4 and August 4 of each year, beginning on August 4, 2016. All payments of interest on the 2021 notes will be made to the persons in whose names the 2021 notes are registered on the January 20 or July 20 preceding the next applicable interest payment date. All interest accrued on the 2021 notes from February 4, 2016 to the date of settlement of the 2021 notes offered hereby will be paid by purchasers of the 2021 notes offered hereby as part of the purchase price for such notes, and the interest payment to the holders of the 2021 notes offered hereby on August 4, 2016 will be the same per note as the interest paid on such date to the holders of record on July 20, 2016 of the 2.100% Senior Notes due 2021 previously issued. On August 4, 2016, we will pay such pre-issuance accrued interest to holders of the 2021 notes offered hereby who are holders of record on July 20, 2016, along with accrued interest from the date of settlement of the 2021 notes offered hereby to August 4, 2016.

Interest on the notes will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. All dollar amounts resulting from this calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent.

Any payment otherwise required to be made in respect of the notes on a date that is not a Business Day may be made on the next succeeding Business Day. No additional interest will accrue as a result of any delayed payment.

We may, from time to time, without giving notice to or seeking consent of the holders or beneficial owners of either series of notes offered hereby, issue additional debt securities having the same terms (except for the issue date, and, in some cases, the public offering price and the first interest payment date) as, and ranking equally and ratably with the applicable series of notes offered hereby. Any additional debt securities having such similar terms, together with the notes of the applicable series offered hereby, will constitute a single series of securities under the indenture.

The indenture does not contain any provisions that would limit our ability to incur indebtedness or require the maintenance of financial ratios or specified levels of net worth or liquidity.

Redemption

         notes

At any time prior to             ,          (         months prior to the maturity date of the          notes), the          notes will be redeemable, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at our option, at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

 

    100% of the aggregate principal amount of the          notes to be redeemed; or

 

    the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the          notes being redeemed (not including any portion of any payments of interest accrued to the redemption date) discounted to the redemption date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus          basis points,

plus accrued and unpaid interest on the          notes being redeemed to the redemption date.

Calculation of the foregoing will be made by us or on our behalf by such Person as we shall designate; provided, however, that such calculation shall not be a duty or obligation of the trustee.

 

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At any time on and after             ,          (         months prior to the maturity date of the          notes), some or all of the          notes will be redeemable, at our option, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the          notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to the date of redemption.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of interest on          notes that are due and payable on interest payment dates falling on or prior to a redemption date will be payable on the interest payment date to the registered holders as of the close of business on the relevant record date according to such          notes and the indenture.

Comparable Treasury Issue” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer, the United States Treasury security selected by such Reference Treasury Dealer as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the          notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of those          notes.

Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, (i) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for the redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (ii) if the trustee obtains fewer than four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations.

Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of (i) Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (or their respective affiliates which are Primary Treasury Dealers (as defined below)) and their respective successors; and (ii) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by us; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), we will substitute another Primary Treasury Dealer.

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by a Reference Treasury Dealer, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to us and the trustee by that Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding that redemption date.

Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for that redemption date.

2021 notes

At any time prior to January 4, 2021 (one month prior to the maturity date of the 2021 notes), the 2021 notes will be redeemable, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at our option, at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

 

    100% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2021 notes to be redeemed; or

 

    the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the 2021 notes being redeemed (not including any portion of any payments of interest accrued to the redemption date) discounted to the redemption date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus 15 basis points,

plus accrued and unpaid interest on the 2021 notes being redeemed to the redemption date.

 

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Calculation of the foregoing will be made by us or on our behalf by such Person as we shall designate; provided, however, that such calculation shall not be a duty or obligation of the trustee.

At any time on and after January 4, 2021 (one month prior to the maturity date of the 2021 notes), some or all of the 2021 notes will be redeemable, at our option, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2021 notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to the date of redemption.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of interest on 2021 notes that are due and payable on interest payment dates falling on or prior to a redemption date will be payable on the interest payment date to the registered holders as of the close of business on the relevant record date according to such 2021 notes and the indenture.

Comparable Treasury Issue” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer, the United States Treasury security selected by such Reference Treasury Dealer as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the 2021 notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of those 2021 notes.

Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, (i) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for the redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (ii) if the trustee obtains fewer than four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations.

Reference Treasury Dealer” means (i) Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (or their respective affiliates which are Primary Treasury Dealers (as defined below)) and their respective successors; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), we will substitute another Primary Treasury Dealer; and (ii) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by us.

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by a Reference Treasury Dealer, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to us and the trustee by that Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding that redemption date.

Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for that redemption date.

Redemption Procedures

In the event that we choose to redeem less than all of the notes of a series, selection of the notes of such series for redemption will be made by the trustee either:

 

    in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the notes of such series are listed; or

 

    if the notes of such series are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the trustee shall deem fair and appropriate.

 

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No notes of a principal amount of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. Notice of redemption will be mailed by first-class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of notes to be redeemed at its registered address. On and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on notes or portions thereof called for redemption as long as we have deposited with the paying agent funds in satisfaction of the applicable redemption price.

Offer to Repurchase upon a Change of Control Triggering Event

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event in respect of the notes of a series, unless we have exercised our option to redeem such notes as described above, each holder of notes of such series will have the right to require that we purchase all or a portion of such holder’s notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”), at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest, if any, to the date of purchase, subject to the rights of holders of notes of such series on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

Within 30 days following the date upon which the Change of Control Triggering Event occurred, or at our option, prior to any Change of Control (as defined below) but after the public announcement of the pending Change of Control, we must send, by first class mail, a notice to each holder, with a copy to the trustee, which notice shall govern the terms of the Change of Control Offer. Such notice shall state, among other things, the purchase date, which must be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, other than as may be required by law (the “Change of Control Payment Date”). The notice, if mailed prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, will state that the Change of Control Offer is conditioned on the Change of Control being consummated on or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date. Holders electing to have notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender their notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the note completed, to the paying agent at the address specified in the notice, or transfer their notes to the paying agent by book-entry transfer pursuant to the applicable procedures of the paying agent, prior to the close of business on the third Business Day prior to the Change of Control Payment Date.

We will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for such an offer made by us and such third party purchases all notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer.

If a Change of Control Offer is made, we cannot assure you that we will have available funds sufficient to pay the Change of Control purchase price for all the notes that might be delivered by holders seeking to accept the Change of Control Offer. In the event we are required to purchase outstanding notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer, we expect that we would seek third party financing to the extent we do not have available funds to meet our purchase obligations. However, we cannot assure you that we would be able to obtain such financing.

Neither our board of directors nor the trustee may waive the covenant relating to a holder’s right to redemption upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event. Restrictions in the indenture described herein on the ability of us and our Subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness secured by a lien on our principal properties or shares of stock or indebtedness of our Subsidiaries that own principal properties may also make more difficult or discourage a takeover of us, whether favored or opposed by our management. Consummation of any such transaction in certain circumstances may require redemption or repurchase of the notes, and we cannot assure you that we or the acquiring party will have sufficient financial resources to effect such redemption or repurchase. Such restrictions may, in certain circumstances, make more difficult or discourage any leveraged buyout of us or any of our Subsidiaries by our management. While such restrictions cover a wide variety of arrangements that have traditionally been used to effect highly leveraged transactions, the indenture may not afford the holders of the notes protection in all circumstances from the adverse aspects of a highly leveraged transaction, reorganization, recapitalization, restructuring, merger or similar transaction.

 

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We will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that any securities laws or regulations conflict with the “Change of Control Triggering Event” provisions of the indenture, we shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the “Change of Control Triggering Event” provisions of the indenture by virtue thereof.

Certain Covenants

The indenture, including the fifth supplemental indenture, with respect to the 2021 notes, and including the sixth supplemental indenture, with respect to the          notes, contains and will contain, respectively, the following covenants:

Limitation on Liens

(a) We will not (nor will we permit any Subsidiary to) issue, incur, create, assume or guarantee any Funded Debt secured by a mortgage, deed of trust, security interest, pledge, lien, charge or other encumbrance (collectively, a “mortgage”) upon any Principal Property or upon any shares of stock or Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that owns any Principal Property (whether such Principal Property, shares or Indebtedness are now existing or owed or hereafter created or acquired) without in any such case effectively providing, concurrently with the issuance, incurrence, creation, assumption or guaranty of any such Funded Debt, or the grant of such mortgage, that the notes (together with, if we shall so determine, any other Indebtedness of or guaranty by us or such Subsidiary ranking equally with the notes) shall be secured equally and ratably with (or, at our option, prior to) such Funded Debt; provided that any mortgage created for the benefit of holders of the notes pursuant to this provision shall provide by its terms that such mortgage shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of the mortgage that resulted in such provision becoming applicable. The foregoing restriction, however, will not apply to, and there will be excluded from any computation under clause (b) below and under paragraph (b) of the covenant described below under the caption “— Limitation on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions,” each of the following (and the Funded Debt secured thereby):

 

  (1) mortgages on property, shares of stock or Indebtedness or other assets of any person existing at the time such person becomes a Subsidiary;

 

  (2) mortgages on property, shares of stock or Indebtedness or other assets existing at the time of acquisition thereof by us or a Subsidiary, or mortgages thereon to secure the payment of all or any part of the purchase price thereof or the cost of construction, installation, renovation, improvement or development thereon or thereof, or mortgages on property, shares of stock or Indebtedness or other assets to secure any Indebtedness incurred or guaranteed prior to, at the time of, or within 360 days after, the latest of the acquisition thereof or, in the case of property, the completion of such construction, installation, renovation, improvement or development or the commencement of substantial commercial operation of such property for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price thereof, such construction, installation, renovation, improvement or development;

 

  (3) mortgages in favor of us or a Subsidiary to secure Funded Debt owing to us or to a Subsidiary;

 

  (4) mortgages existing at the date of the initial issuance of the notes;

 

  (5) mortgages on property, shares of stock or Indebtedness or assets of a person existing at the time such person is merged into or consolidated with Starbucks or a Subsidiary or at the time of a sale, lease or other disposition of the properties of such person as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to us or a Subsidiary;

 

  (6)

mortgages in favor of the United States of America or any state, territory or possession thereof (or the District of Columbia), any foreign government, or any department, agency, instrumentality or political subdivision of the United States of America or any state, territory or possession thereof (or the District

 

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  of Columbia) or any foreign government, to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute or to secure any Indebtedness incurred or guaranteed for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of constructing or improving the property subject to such mortgages (including, but not limited to, mortgages incurred in connection with pollution control or industrial revenue bonds or similar financing);

 

  (7) mortgages created in connection with a project financed with, and created to secure, a Nonrecourse Obligation; or

 

  (8) extensions, renewals, refundings, or replacements, in whole or in part, of any mortgage referred to in the foregoing clauses; provided, however, that (i) the principal amount of Funded Debt secured thereby shall not exceed the principal amount of Funded Debt, plus any premium or fee payable in connection with any such extension, renewal, refunding or replacement, so secured at the time of such extension, renewal, refunding, or replacement and (ii) such extension, renewal, refunding or replacement mortgages will be limited to all or part of the same property, shares of stock or Indebtedness or assets and improvement or development thereon or thereof which secured the Indebtedness so secured at the time of such extension, renewal, refunding or replacement.

(b) Notwithstanding the restrictions in the first sentence of the preceding paragraph, we or any Subsidiary of ours may issue, incur, create, assume or guarantee Funded Debt secured by a mortgage which would otherwise be subject to such restrictions, without equally and ratably securing the notes, provided that after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of all Funded Debt so secured by mortgages (not including Funded Debt secured by mortgages permitted under clauses (1) through (8) of the second sentence of paragraph (a) above) plus the aggregate amount of all Attributable Debt in respect of Sale and Lease-Back Transactions relating to Principal Properties (excluding any Attributable Debt permitted to be incurred pursuant to clauses (1) through (8) of paragraph (a) of the covenant described below under the caption “— Limitation on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions”) does not exceed 15% of our Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

Limitation on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions

(a) We will not, nor will we permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction with respect to any Principal Property. The foregoing restriction, however, will not apply to, and therefore there will be excluded from any computation under clause (b) below and under paragraph (b) of the covenant described above under the caption “— Limitation on Liens,” any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction (and any Attributable Debt relating thereto) if:

 

  (1) we or a Subsidiary are permitted to create Funded Debt secured by a mortgage pursuant to any of clauses (1) through (8) inclusive under the second sentence of paragraph (a) of the covenant described above under the caption “— Limitation on Liens” on the Principal Property involved in such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction, in an amount at least equal to the Attributable Debt with respect to such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction, without equally and ratably securing the notes;

 

  (2) the proceeds of such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction are at least equal to the fair market value of the affected Principal Property (as determined in good faith by our Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer or Controller) and we or a Subsidiary apply an amount equal to net proceeds of such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction within 360 days thereof to the prepayment or retirement of debt for borrowed money of Starbucks or a Subsidiary (other than debt that is subordinated to the notes or debt owed to us or a Subsidiary);

 

  (3) we or a Subsidiary apply an amount equal to the net proceeds of such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction within 360 days thereof to the purchase, construction, development, expansion or improvement of other property;

 

  (4) such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction involves a lease for a term, including renewals, of not more than three years;

 

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  (5) such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction is between us and one of our Subsidiaries, or between Subsidiaries;

 

  (6) such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction is executed at the time of, or within 12 months after the latest of, the acquisition, the completion of construction or improvement, or the commencement of substantial commercial operation, of the Principal Property covered thereby;

 

  (7) the lease in such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction secures or relates to industrial revenue or pollution control bonds if we are permitted to incur a mortgage in connection with such industrial revenue or pollution control bonds pursuant to clause (6) of the second sentence of paragraph (a) under the caption “— Limitation on Liens”; or

 

  (8) the lease payment in such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction is created in connection with a project financed with, and such obligation constitutes, a Nonrecourse Obligation.

(b) Notwithstanding the restrictions in the first sentence of the preceding paragraph, we or any Subsidiary of ours may enter into any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction with respect to any Principal Property which would otherwise be subject to such restrictions, provided that after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of all Attributable Debt with respect to all such Sale and Lease-Back Transactions (not including any Attributable Debt permitted to be incurred pursuant to clauses (1) through (8) of paragraph (a) above) plus the aggregate amount of all secured Funded Debt incurred pursuant to paragraph (a) under the covenant described above under the caption “— Limitation on Liens” (excluding Funded Debt secured by mortgages permitted by clauses (1) through (8) of the second sentence of paragraph (a) thereunder) does not exceed 15% of our Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

Limitation on Mergers and Other Transactions

We may not merge or consolidate with any other person or persons (whether or not affiliated with us), and we may not sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our property or assets to any other person or persons (whether or not affiliated with us), unless we meet the following conditions:

 

  (1) either (a) the transaction is a merger or consolidation, and we are the surviving entity; or (b) the successor person (or the person which acquires by sale, conveyance, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our property or assets) is a corporation organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes, by a supplemental indenture satisfactory to the trustee, all of our obligations under the notes and the indenture;

 

  (2) immediately after giving effect to the transaction and treating our obligations in connection with or as a result of such transaction as having been incurred as of the time of such transaction, no Event of Default (and no event or condition which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default) shall have occurred and be continuing under the indenture; and

 

  (3) an officer’s certificate is delivered to the trustee to the effect that both of the conditions set forth above have been satisfied.

In the event of any of the above transactions, if there is a successor person as described in paragraph (1)(b) immediately above, then the successor will expressly assume all of our obligations under the indenture and automatically be substituted for us in the indenture and as issuer of the notes. Further, if the transaction is in the form of a sale or conveyance, after any such transfer (except in the case of a lease), we will be discharged from all obligations and covenants under the indenture and all notes issued thereunder.

Events of Default

Any of the following constitutes an Event of Default with respect to the notes:

 

    failure to pay interest on the notes for 90 days after the payment is due;

 

    failure to pay principal or any premium on the notes when due;

 

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    failure to perform any other covenant relating to the notes upon the receipt by us of notice of such default given as specified in the indenture and our failure to cure such default within 90 days after receipt by us of such notice; and

 

    certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization affecting the Company or any Material Subsidiary.

Defeasance

See “Description of Debt Securities — Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances” in the accompanying prospectus.

Definitions

Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the indenture. We refer you to the indenture for a full disclosure of all such terms, as well as any other capitalized terms used in this Description of Notes or for which no definition is provided.

Attributable Debt” with regard to a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction with respect to any Principal Property means, at the time of determination, the lesser of (A) the present value of the total net amount of lease payments required to be paid under such lease during the remaining term thereof (after deducting the amount of rent to be received under non-cancellable subleases and including any period for which such lease has been extended), discounted at the greater of (x) the weighted average interest rate per annum borne by the notes or (y) the interest rate inherent in such lease, in each case, as determined by the Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer or Controller of the Company, compounded semiannually, or (B) the sale price for the Principal Property so sold and leased multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the remaining portion of the base term of the lease included in such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction and the denominator of which is the base term of such lease. In the case of any lease which is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty, such net amount shall be the lesser of (i) the net amount determined assuming termination upon the first date such lease may be terminated (in which case the net amount shall also include the amount of the penalty, but shall not include any rent that would be required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated) or (ii) the net amount determined assuming no such termination.

For purposes of determining such Attributable Debt, “lease payments” are the aggregate amount of the rent payable by the lessee with respect to the applicable period, after excluding amounts required to be paid on account of maintenance and repairs, water rates and similar utility charges. If and to the extent the amount of any lease payment during any future period is not definitely determinable under the lease in question, the amount of such lease payment will be estimated in such reasonable manner as the Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer or Controller of the Company may in good faith determine.

Below Investment Grade Rating Event” means the notes of a series are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the Rating Agencies on any date from the date of the public notice of an arrangement that could result in a Change of Control until the end of the 60-day period following public notice of the occurrence of the Change of Control (which 60-day period shall be extended so long as the rating of the notes of such series is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies); provided that a Below Investment Grade Rating Event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus shall not be deemed a Below Investment Grade Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event hereunder) if the Rating Agencies making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply do not announce or publicly confirm or inform the trustee in writing at its request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control shall have occurred at the time of the Below Investment Grade Rating Event).

 

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Capital Stock” means:

 

  (1) with respect to any Person that is a corporation, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated and whether or not voting) of corporate stock, including each class of Common Stock and Preferred Stock of such Person; and

 

  (2) with respect to any Person that is not a corporation, any and all partnership, membership or other equity interests of such Person.

Change of Control” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events:

 

  (1) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any Person or group of related Persons for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act (a “Group”), together with any Affiliates thereof (whether or not otherwise in compliance with the provisions of the indenture);

 

  (2) the approval by the holders of Capital Stock of the Company of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company (whether or not otherwise in compliance with the provisions of the indenture);

 

  (3) any Person or Group shall become the owner, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, of shares representing more than 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of the Company; or

 

  (4) during any period of 24 consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing body of the Company cease to be composed of individuals (i) who were members of that board or equivalent governing body on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board or other equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body (excluding, in the case of both clause (ii) and clause (iii), any individual whose initial nomination for, or assumption of office as, a member of that board or equivalent governing body occurs as a result of an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents for the election or removal of one or more directors by any person or group other than a solicitation for the election of one or more directors by or on behalf of the board of directors).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control if (i) the Company becomes a wholly owned Subsidiary of a holding company and (ii) the holders of the Voting Stock of such holding company immediately following such transaction are substantially the same as the holders of the Company’s Voting Stock immediately prior to such transaction.

The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of “all or substantially all” of our assets and those of our Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all” there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of notes to require us to repurchase its notes as a result of a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of our assets of those of our Subsidiaries taken as a whole to another person or group may be uncertain.

Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event.

Common Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests or other participations in, and other equivalents (however designated and whether voting or non-voting) of, such Person’s common stock, and includes, without limitation, all series and classes of such common stock.

 

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Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, as of any date on which we effect a transaction requiring such Consolidated Net Tangible Assets to be measured hereunder, the aggregate amount of assets (less applicable reserves) after deducting therefrom: (a) all current liabilities, except for current maturities of long-term debt and obligations under capital leases; and (b) intangible assets, to the extent included in said aggregate amount of assets, all as set forth on our most recent consolidated balance sheet and computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America applied on a consistent basis.

Credit Agreement” means the Credit Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2015, among the Company, as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and L/C issuer, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and Citibank, N.A., as co-syndication agents and L/C issuers, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., The Bank of Nova Scotia, U.S. Bank National Association and Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC, as co-documentation agents, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. as joint lead arrangers and joint book managers, and each of the other Lenders a party thereto, including any related letters of credit, notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced from time to time by one or more credit facilities, in which case, the credit agreement or similar agreement together with all other documents and instruments related thereto shall constitute the “Credit Agreement” under the indenture, whether with the same or different agents and lenders.

Funded Debt” means Indebtedness, whether or not contingent, for money borrowed (including all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments) owed or guaranteed by the Company or any consolidated Subsidiary, and any of the debt which under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America would appear as debt on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company.

Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or, in each case, if such Rating Agency ceases to rate the notes or fails to make a rating of such notes publicly available for reasons outside of our control, the equivalent investment grade credit rating by the replacement agency selected by us in accordance with the procedures described below.

Material Subsidiary” means each Subsidiary of the Company that meets either of the following tests: (a) its assets equal or exceed 3% of total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, or (b) its revenues equal or exceed 3% of the total revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; provided that (i) if the Subsidiaries that meet either of the tests in (a) or (b), when combined with revenues generated or assets owned directly by the Company (excluding any assets located or revenues generated at the Subsidiary level), aggregate less than 90% of the total assets or total revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the Company shall designate additional Subsidiaries to constitute Material Subsidiaries until such threshold is met, and (ii) once a Subsidiary is deemed a Material Subsidiary, whether by virtue of the tests in (a) or (b) above, or a result of designation pursuant to part (i) of this proviso, such Subsidiary shall continue to constitute a Material Subsidiary throughout the term of the notes.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., a subsidiary of Moody’s Corporation, and its successors.

Nonrecourse Obligation” means Indebtedness or lease payment obligations related to (i) the acquisition of a Principal Property not previously owned by the Company or any Subsidiary or (ii) the financing of a project involving the development or expansion of any Principal Property owned by the Company or any Subsidiary, as to which the obligee with respect to such Indebtedness or obligation has no recourse to the Company or any Subsidiary or any of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ assets other than such Principal Property so acquired, developed or expanded, as applicable.

Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity.

 

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Preferred Stock” of any Person means any Capital Stock of such Person that has preferential rights to any other Capital Stock of such Person with respect to dividends or redemptions or upon liquidation.

Principal Property” means any individual facility or real property, or portion thereof, owned or hereafter acquired by us or any Subsidiary and located within the United States of America, which, in the good faith opinion of our Chief Executive Officer, President, or Chief Financial Officer, is of material importance to the total business conducted by us and our Subsidiaries taken as a whole, provided that no such individual facility or property will be deemed of material importance if its gross book value (excluding therefrom any equipment and before deducting accumulated depreciation) is less than 1.0% of our Consolidated Net Tangible Assets. With respect to any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction or series of related Sale and Lease-Back Transactions, the determination of whether any property is a Principal Property shall be determined by reference to all properties affected by such transaction or series of transactions.

Rating Agencies” means (1) each of Moody’s and S&P; and (2) if any of Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the notes or fails to make a rating of the notes publicly available for reasons outside of our control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization,” as defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act, selected by us (as certified by a resolution of our board of directors) as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, or both of them, as the case may be.

Sale and Lease-Back Transaction” means any arrangement with any person providing for the leasing by us or any Subsidiary of any Principal Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, which Principal Property has been or is to be sold or transferred by us or such Subsidiary to such person and which lease is required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America to be capitalized on the balance sheet of such lessee.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and its successors.

Subsidiary” means any corporation, limited liability company or other similar type of entity in which we and/or one or more of our subsidiaries together own voting stock, membership interests or other capital securities having the power to elect a majority of the board of directors or similar governing body of such corporation, limited liability company or other similar type of entity, directly or indirectly. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock or other capital securities which ordinarily have voting power for the election of directors or similar governing body, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock or other capital securities have such voting power by reason of any contingency.

Voting Stock” of any specified Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the board of directors of such Person.

Book-Entry Delivery and Settlement

Global Notes

We will issue the notes of each series in the form of one or more global notes in definitive, fully registered, book-entry form. The global notes will be deposited with or on behalf of DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC.

DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear

Beneficial interests in the global notes will be represented through book-entry accounts of financial institutions acting on behalf of beneficial owners as direct and indirect participants in DTC. Investors may hold interests in the global notes through either DTC (in the United States), Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, Luxembourg (“Clearstream”), or Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. (“Euroclear”), in Europe, either directly if they are

 

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participants in such systems or indirectly through organizations that are participants in such systems. Clearstream and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in Clearstream’s and Euroclear’s names on the books of their U.S. depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers’ securities accounts in the U.S. depositaries’ names on the books of DTC.

DTC has advised us as follows:

 

    DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

 

    DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC and facilitates the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates.

 

    Direct participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations.

 

    DTC is owned by a number of its direct participants and by NYSE Euronext and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

 

    Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly.

 

    The rules applicable to DTC and its direct and indirect participants are on file with the SEC.

Clearstream has advised us that it is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depositary. Clearstream holds securities for its customers and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its customers through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its customers, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream provides to its customers, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. As a professional depositary, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Section. Clearstream customers are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream customer either directly or indirectly.

Euroclear has advised us that it was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of Euroclear and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear provides various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. Euroclear is operated by Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. (the “Euroclear Operator”), under contract with Euroclear Clearance Systems S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation (the “Cooperative”). All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not the Cooperative. The Cooperative establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear participants. Euroclear participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers, and other professional financial intermediaries and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear participant, either directly or indirectly.

 

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The Euroclear Operator has advised us that it is licensed by the Belgian Banking and Finance Commission to carry out banking activities on a global basis. As a Belgian bank, it is regulated and examined by the Belgian Banking and Finance Commission.

We have provided the descriptions of the operations and procedures of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear in this prospectus supplement solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of those organizations and are subject to change by them from time to time. None of us, the underwriters or the trustee takes any responsibility for these operations or procedures, and you are urged to contact DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear or their participants directly to discuss these matters.

We expect that under procedures established by DTC:

 

    upon deposit of the global notes with DTC or its custodian, DTC will credit on its internal system the accounts of direct participants designated by the underwriters with portions of the principal amounts of the global notes; and

 

    ownership of the notes will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee, with respect to interests of direct participants, and the records of direct and indirect participants, with respect to interests of persons other than participants.

The laws of some jurisdictions may require that purchasers of securities take physical delivery of those securities in definitive form. Accordingly, the ability to transfer interests in the notes represented by a global note to those persons may be limited. In addition, because DTC can act only on behalf of its participants, who in turn act on behalf of persons who hold interests through participants, the ability of a person having an interest in notes represented by a global note to pledge or transfer those interests to persons or entities that do not participate in DTC’s system, or otherwise to take actions in respect of such interest, may be affected by the lack of a physical definitive security in respect of such interest.

So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a global note, DTC or that nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the notes represented by that global note for all purposes under the indenture and under the notes. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global note will not be entitled to have notes represented by that global note registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated notes and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the indenture or under the notes for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any direction, instruction or approval to the trustee. Accordingly, each holder owning a beneficial interest in a global note must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if that holder is not a direct or indirect participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that holder owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder of notes under the indenture or a global note.

Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of notes by DTC, Clearstream or Euroclear, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of those organizations relating to the notes.

Payments on the notes represented by the global notes will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner thereof. We expect that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment on the notes represented by a global note, will credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the global note as shown in the records of DTC or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global note held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practice as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in the names of nominees for such customers. The participants will be responsible for those payments.

 

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Distributions on the notes held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of its customers in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Clearstream.

Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, and applicable Belgian law (collectively, the “Terms and Conditions”). The Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear participants and has no record of or relationship with persons holding through Euroclear participants.

Distributions on the notes held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of its participants in accordance with the Terms and Conditions, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Euroclear.

Clearance and Settlement Procedures

Initial settlement for the notes will be made in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between Clearstream customers and/or Euroclear participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Clearstream and Euroclear, as applicable, and will be settled using the procedures applicable to conventional eurobonds in immediately available funds.

Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Clearstream customers or Euroclear participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by the U.S. depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to the U.S. depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving the notes in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Clearstream customers and Euroclear participants may not deliver instructions directly to their U.S. depositaries.

Because of time-zone differences, credits of the notes received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Such credits or any transactions in the notes settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant Clearstream customers or Euroclear participants on such business day. Cash received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of sales of the notes by or through a Clearstream customer or a Euroclear participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Clearstream or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC.

Although DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of the notes among participants of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be changed or discontinued at any time.

 

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Certificated Notes

We will issue certificated notes to each person that DTC identifies as the beneficial owner of the notes represented by a global note upon surrender by DTC of the global note if:

 

    DTC notifies us that it is no longer willing or able to act as a depositary for such global note or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and we have not appointed a successor depositary within 90 days of that notice or becoming aware that DTC is no longer so registered;

 

    an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and DTC requests the issuance of certificated notes; or

 

    we determine not to have the notes represented by a global note.

Neither we nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC, its nominee or any direct or indirect participant in identifying the beneficial owners of the notes. We and the trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes, including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the certificated notes to be issued.

Payment and Paying Agents

Payments on the global notes will be made in U.S. dollars by wire transfer. If we issue definitive notes, the holders of definitive notes will be able to receive payments of principal of and interest on their notes at the office of our paying agent maintained in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. Payment of principal of a definitive note may be made only against surrender of the note to our paying agent. We have the option, however, of making payments of interest by wire transfer or by mailing checks to the address of the holder appearing in the register of note holders maintained by the registrar.

We will make any required interest payments to the person in whose name a note is registered at the close of business on the record date for the interest payment.

The trustee will be designated as our paying agent for payments on the notes. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts.

Notices

Any notices required to be given to the holders of the notes will be given to DTC, as the registered holder of the global notes. In the event that the global notes are exchanged for notes in definitive form, notices to holders of the notes will be made by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the addresses that appear on the register of noteholders maintained by the registrar.

The Trustee

The trustee’s current address is 60 Wall Street, Mailstop 2710, New York, New York 10005, Attn: Trust & Securities Services — Corporates Deal Manager. The trustee is one of a number of banks with which we maintain ordinary banking relationships.

The indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an Event of Default, the trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the indenture. During the existence of an Event of Default, the trustee must exercise such rights and powers vested in it as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

 

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The indenture and provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), incorporated by reference in the indenture contain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become our creditor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to liquidate certain property received by it in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions with us or any of our affiliates. If the trustee acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the indenture or in the Trust Indenture Act), it must eliminate that conflict or resign.

Governing Law

The indenture and the notes will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN OTHER INDEBTEDNESS

Credit Facility

On November 6, 2015, we entered into a $1.5 billion unsecured five-year revolving credit facility with various banks, of which $150 million may be used for issuances of letters of credit. The facility is available for working capital, capital expenditures and other corporate purposes. Provided there is no default, we may request an increase from the lenders in the aggregate commitments by an amount not exceeding $750 million for a total aggregate facility commitment not to exceed $2.25 billion.

Borrowings under the credit facility will bear interest at a variable interest rate based on LIBOR, and, for U.S. Dollar-denominated loans under certain circumstances, a base rate, in each case plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin is based on the better of (i) our long-term credit ratings assigned by Moody’s and S&P’s rating agencies, and (ii) our fixed charge coverage ratio, pursuant to a pricing grid set forth in the Credit Agreement. The current applicable margin is 0.565% for Eurocurrency rate loans and 0.00% for base rate loans. During an event of default under the credit facility, interest on the outstanding amount of the indebtedness under the credit facility will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to 2% in excess of the interest then borne by such borrowings. As of March 27, 2016, we had no borrowings outstanding under the facility. Issuances of letters of credit under the facility would reduce the borrowing capacity under the facility by an equal amount. Outstanding amounts of letters of credit were not material as of March 27, 2016.

Commercial Paper Program

Under our commercial paper program, we may issue unsecured commercial paper notes up to a maximum aggregate amount outstanding at any time of $1 billion, with individual maturities that may vary, but not exceed 397 days from the date of issue. Amounts outstanding under our commercial paper program are required to be backstopped by available commitments under our credit facility discussed above. As of March 27, 2016, availability under our commercial paper program was approximately $851 million.

Under the program, we may issue commercial paper from time to time, and the proceeds of any such commercial paper issuances may be used for working capital, capital expenditures and other corporate purposes. As of March 27, 2016, we had $149.1 million in outstanding borrowings under our commercial paper program.

Senior Debt Securities

As of March 27, 2016, we had an aggregate principal amount of $2,850.0 million of senior unsecured notes outstanding. The specific amounts, maturity and interest rates of those senior debt securities are set forth in the following table.

 

     Principal
Amount
 
     (in millions)  

Senior Debt Securities(1)

  

0.875% Senior Notes due December 2016

   $ 400.0   

2.000% Senior Notes due December 2018

   $ 350.0   

2.100% Senior Notes due February 2021

   $ 500.0 (1) 

2.700% Senior Notes due June 2022

   $ 500.0   

3.850% Senior Notes due October 2023

   $ 750.0   

4.300% Senior Notes due June 2045

   $ 350.0   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2,850.0 (1) 
  

 

 

 

 

(1) Does not give effect to the issuance of additional notes due 2021 in this offering.

 

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Our 2016 Senior Notes, 2018 Senior Notes, 2021 Senior Notes, 2022 Senior Notes, 2023 Senior Notes and 2045 Senior Notes were all issued under the base indenture, as supplemented by supplemental indentures applicable to each series of Senior Notes. These existing Senior Notes are our general unsecured senior obligations and are not guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries. The base indenture and the terms of the Senior Notes do not directly limit the amount of other debt that may be incurred by us or our subsidiaries. Subject to several enumerated exceptions, the base indenture and the terms of the Senior Notes prohibit us and certain of our subsidiaries from securing any debt or other obligations with any principal property or shares of capital stock of certain of our subsidiaries without providing that the Senior Notes be secured equally and ratably with the secured debt or other obligations for so long as the secured debt or other obligations remains secured except to the extent the amount of the secured debt or other obligations, along with the value of permitted sale and lease-back transactions, does not exceed 15% of our consolidated net tangible assets, as defined in the supplemental indentures applicable to each series of Senior Notes. The terms of the Senior Notes also restrict our ability to enter into sale and lease-back transactions as well as to consolidate or merge with any other person or sell all or substantially all of our assets. These existing Senior Notes have substantially the same covenants, change of control provisions and events of default as the notes offered hereby.

 

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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of United States federal income tax considerations relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the notes. It is not a complete analysis of all the potential tax considerations relating to the notes. This summary is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code, administrative rulings and judicial decisions, all as in effect as of the date of this prospectus supplement and all of which are subject to change or different interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect. Any such change could affect the accuracy of the statements and conclusions set forth herein. No ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or opinion of counsel has or will be sought with respect to the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance that the IRS will not take a different position concerning the tax considerations relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the notes.

This summary is limited to beneficial owners of the notes that, in the case of the          notes, purchase the notes upon their initial issuance at their “issue price” (generally, the first price at which a substantial amount of the notes is sold for cash to investors (excluding sales to bond houses, brokers or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity as underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers)) or, in the case of the 2021 notes, purchase the notes for cash pursuant to this offering at the offer price set forth on the front cover hereon and, in either case, that will hold the notes as “capital assets” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, for investment purposes). This summary does not address the tax considerations arising under the laws of any foreign, state or local jurisdiction or any non-income tax provisions of the Code. In addition, this summary does not address all United States federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular investor in light of the investor’s particular circumstances, or to certain categories of investors that may be subject to special tax rules, such as, for example:

 

    holders subject to the alternative minimum tax;

 

    banks, insurance companies or other financial institutions;

 

    regulated investment companies;

 

    real estate investment trusts;

 

    tax-exempt organizations;

 

    brokers and dealers in securities or commodities;

 

    expatriates;

 

    traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings;

 

    U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the United States dollar;

 

    persons that will hold the notes as a position in a hedging transaction, straddle, conversion transaction or other risk reduction transaction;

 

    persons deemed to sell the notes under the constructive sale provisions of the Code;

 

    “controlled foreign corporations” or “passive foreign investment companies”; or

 

    entities or arrangements classified as partnerships for United States federal income tax purposes or other pass-through entities, or investors in such entities.

If an entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes holds notes, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership or arrangement classified as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes that will hold notes, you are urged to consult your own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of holding the notes to you.

 

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This summary of certain United States federal income tax considerations is for general information only and is not tax advice. You are urged to consult your tax advisor with respect to the application of United States federal income tax laws to your particular situation as well as any tax considerations arising under other United States federal tax laws (such as the estate or gift tax laws) or under the laws of any state, local, foreign or other taxing jurisdiction or under any applicable tax treaty.

Additional Payments

In certain circumstances (see “Description of Notes — Offer to Repurchase upon a Change of Control Triggering Event”), we may be obligated to pay amounts in excess of stated interest or principal on the notes. The obligation to make these payments may implicate the provisions of the Treasury Regulations relating to “contingent payment debt instruments.” Treasury Regulations provide special rules for contingent payment debt instruments which, if applicable, could cause the timing, amount and character of a holder’s income, gain or loss with respect to the notes to be different from the consequences discussed herein. Under the applicable Treasury Regulations, for purposes of determining whether a debt instrument is a contingent payment debt instrument, remote or incidental contingencies (determined as of the date the notes are issued) are ignored. We believe the possibility of making additional payments on the notes is remote and/or incidental and, therefore, we intend to take the position that the possibility of the payment of such amounts will not result in the notes being treated as contingent payment debt instruments under the applicable Treasury Regulations. Our position will be binding on all holders, except a holder that discloses its differing position to the IRS in the manner required by applicable Treasury Regulations. Our position is not binding on the IRS, however, which may take a contrary position and treat the notes as contingent payment debt instruments. In addition, if the existing 2.100% Senior Notes due 2021 were treated as contingent payment debt instruments, then the issuance of the 2021 notes under this prospectus supplement would not constitute a “qualified reopening” as described below under “— Qualified Reopening,” and the actual calculation of the interest accruals on the 2021 notes would be based in part upon the actual issue date and the actual issue price of the 2021 notes. You are urged to consult your own tax advisors regarding the potential application to the notes of the rules regarding contingent payment debt instruments and the consequences thereof, including the treatment of additional payments that might be made in respect of the notes. The remainder of this summary assumes the notes will not be treated as contingent payment debt instruments.

Qualified Reopening

Applying the Treasury Regulations related to “qualified reopenings,” we intend to treat the 2021 notes offered by this prospectus supplement as issued pursuant to a “qualified reopening” of our existing 2.100% Senior Notes due 2021. For United States federal income tax purposes, debt instruments issued in a qualified reopening are deemed to be part of the same issue as, and therefore fungible with, the original debt instruments. Accordingly, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this prospectus supplement, for United States federal income tax purposes, the 2021 notes offered by this prospectus supplement have the same issue date, February 4, 2016, and issue price, 99.943%, as the existing 2.100% Senior Notes due 2021. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the 2021 notes offered by this prospectus supplement will be treated as a part of the same issue as the existing 2.100% Senior Notes due 2021.

Consequences to U.S. Holders

The following portion of this summary will apply to you if you are a “U.S. Holder.” For purposes of this discussion, a U.S. Holder is a beneficial owner of a note that is, for United States federal income tax purposes:

 

    an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

    a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

    an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

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    a trust (i) if a court within the United States can exercise primary supervision over its administration, and one or more United States persons (as defined under the Code) have the authority to control all of the substantial decisions of that trust or (ii) that has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person for United States federal income tax purposes.

Payments of Interest

It is anticipated, and this discussion assumes, that the notes will be issued at par or at a discount that is less than a “de minimis” amount for United States federal income tax purposes. Stated interest on the notes (excluding any amounts received that are allocated to the return of pre-issuance accrued interest on the 2021 notes, as described below under “— Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest”) will generally be taxable to you as ordinary income at the time it is paid or accrued in accordance with your method of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes.

Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest

A portion of the price paid for the 2021 notes offered by this prospectus supplement will be allocable to interest that accrued prior to the date the 2021 notes are purchased (“pre-issuance accrued interest”). To the extent a portion of a U.S. Holder’s purchase price for 2021 notes is allocable to pre-issuance accrued interest, a portion of the first stated interest payment equal to the amount of such pre-issuance accrued interest may be treated as a nontaxable return of such pre-issuance accrued interest to the U.S. Holder. If so, the amount treated as a return of pre-issuance accrued interest will reduce a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the 2021 notes by a corresponding amount. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the 2021 notes will be so treated, and all references to interest in the remainder of this discussion exclude references to pre-issuance accrued interest.

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes

Upon the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a note, you will recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on such disposition (except to the extent any amount realized is attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, which, if not previously included in income, will be treated as interest as described above) and your adjusted tax basis in the note. Your adjusted tax basis in a note generally will be your cost for the note (other than, in the case of 2021 notes, amounts attributable to pre-issuance accrued interest, as described above under “— Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest”), decreased by the amount of any payments, other than qualified stated interest payments, received with respect to such note. Gain or loss recognized on the disposition of a note generally will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of such disposition, your holding period for the note is more than one year. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate taxpayers are generally eligible for preferential rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.

Medicare Tax

Certain U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds generally are subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax on the lesser of (i) the U.S. Holder’s “net investment income” for the relevant taxable year (or undistributed net investment income in the case of an estate or trust) and (ii) the excess of the U.S. Holder’s modified adjusted gross income (or adjusted gross income, in the case of an estate or trust) for the taxable year over a certain threshold (which in the case of individuals will be between $125,000 and $250,000, depending on the individual’s circumstances). A U.S. Holder’s net investment income generally will include its gross interest income and its net gains from the disposition of the notes, unless such interest income or net gains are derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or trading activities). U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the application of the Medicare tax to income and gains in respect of an investment in the notes.

 

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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Information reporting generally will apply to payments on the notes and to payments of the proceeds from a sale or other taxable disposition of the notes unless you are an exempt recipient. United States federal backup withholding (currently at a rate of 28%) generally will apply to payments if you fail to furnish a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-9 to us or our paying agent providing your taxpayer identification number and complying with certain certification requirements, or otherwise establish an exemption from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will generally be allowed as a credit against your United States federal income tax liability and may entitle you to a refund, provided that you furnish the required information to the IRS on a timely basis. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding their qualification for an exemption from backup withholding and the procedures for obtaining such an exemption, if applicable.

Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

The following portion of this summary will apply to you if you are a “Non-U.S. Holder.” You are a “Non-U.S. Holder” if you are a beneficial owner of a note that is neither a U.S. Holder nor a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes.

Payments of Interest

Subject to the discussions of backup withholding and FATCA below, payments of interest on the notes to you generally will be exempt from United States federal income tax and withholding tax under the “portfolio interest” exemption if:

 

    you do not conduct a trade or business within the United States with which the interest income is effectively connected (and, in the case of an applicable income tax treaty, attributable to your permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States);

 

    you do not own, actually or constructively, 10% or more of the combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote within the meaning of section 871(h)(3) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder;

 

    you are not a “controlled foreign corporation” that is related to us through stock ownership;

 

    you are not a bank that receives such interest in a transaction described in section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code; and

 

    you provide a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable (or successor form), to us or our paying agent certifying under penalty of perjury that you are not a United States person. If you hold the notes through a securities clearing organization, financial institution or other agent acting on your behalf, you may be required to provide appropriate certifications to such agent. Your agent will then generally be required to provide appropriate certifications to us or our paying agent, either directly or through other intermediaries. Special rules apply to foreign partnerships, estates and trusts and other intermediaries, and in certain circumstances certifications as to foreign status of partners, trust owners or beneficiaries may have to be provided. In addition, special rules apply to qualified intermediaries that enter into withholding agreements with the IRS.

If you cannot satisfy the requirements described above for the portfolio interest exemption, payments of interest made to you on the notes generally will be subject to the 30% United States federal withholding tax, unless you provide us either with (1) a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable (or successor form), establishing an exemption from (or a reduction of) withholding under the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty, or (2) a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or successor form) certifying that interest paid on the note is not subject to withholding tax

 

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because the interest is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States (as discussed below under “— Income or Gain Effectively Connected with a United States Trade or Business”).

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes

Subject to the discussions of backup withholding and FATCA below, you generally will not be subject to United States federal income or withholding tax on any gain realized on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a note unless:

 

    the gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to your permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States); or

 

    you are an individual who has been present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and certain other requirements are met.

If a Non-U.S. Holder is described in the first bullet point, see “— Income or Gain Effectively Connected with a United States Trade or Business” below. If you are described in the second bullet point, you will generally be subject to United States federal income tax at a rate of 30% on the amount by which your capital gains allocable to United States sources, including gain from such disposition, exceed any capital losses allocable to United States sources, except as otherwise required by an applicable income tax treaty.

To the extent that the amount realized on a sale, redemption, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition of the notes is attributable to accrued but unpaid interest on the notes, it generally will be treated in the same manner as described in “— Payments of Interest” above.

Income or Gain Effectively Connected with a United States Trade or Business

If you are engaged in the conduct of a trade or business in the United States and interest on a note or gain recognized from the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a note is effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business, you will generally be subject to United States federal income tax (but not the 30% United States federal withholding tax on interest if certain certification requirements are satisfied) on that interest and on gain on a net income basis in the same manner as if you were a United States person as defined under the Code. You can generally meet these certification requirements by providing a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or successor form) to us, or our paying agent. If you are eligible for the benefits of an income tax treaty between the United States and your country of residence, any effectively connected income or gain generally will be subject to United States federal income tax on a net income basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by you in the United States. In addition, if you are a foreign corporation, you may be subject to an additional branch profits tax equal to 30% (or a lower applicable income tax treaty rate) of your earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to adjustments, that are effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Generally, information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with payments of interest on the notes and proceeds from the sale or other taxable disposition (including a retirement or redemption) of the notes. Copies of the information returns reporting such payments and any withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which you reside under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty. You may be subject to backup withholding of tax on payments of interest and, depending on the circumstances, the proceeds of a sale or other taxable disposition (including a retirement or redemption) unless you comply with certain certification procedures to establish that you are not a United States person. The certification procedures required to claim an exemption from withholding of tax on interest described above

 

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generally will satisfy the certification requirements necessary to avoid backup withholding as well. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will generally be allowed as a credit against your United States federal income tax liability and may entitle you to a refund, provided that you furnish the required information to the IRS on a timely basis. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the backup withholding rules to their particular situations, the availability of an exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption, if applicable.

FATCA

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act provisions of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act (generally referred to as “FATCA”) generally impose a 30% withholding tax on certain payments made on interest-bearing obligations to certain foreign financial institutions that fail to certify their FATCA status, and certain non-financial foreign entities if certain disclosure requirements related to direct and indirect United States shareholders and/or United States account holders are not satisfied. Under applicable Treasury Regulations, a withholding tax of 30% generally will be imposed, subject to certain exceptions, on payments of (a) interest on the notes, and (b) for a disposition that occurs on or after January 1, 2019, gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of the notes. In the case of payments made to a “foreign financial institution” (generally including an investment fund), as a beneficial owner or as an intermediary, the withholding tax generally will be imposed, subject to certain exceptions, unless such institution (i) enters into (or is otherwise subject to) and complies with an agreement with the United States government (a “FATCA Agreement”) or (ii) is required by and complies with applicable foreign law enacted in connection with an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and a foreign jurisdiction (an “IGA”), in either case to, among other things, collect and provide to the United States or other relevant tax authorities certain information regarding United States account holders of such institution. In the case of payments made to a foreign entity that is not a financial institution, the withholding tax generally will be imposed, subject to certain exceptions, unless such entity provides the withholding agent with a certification that it does not have any “substantial” United States owners (generally, any specified United States person that directly or indirectly owns more than a specified percentage of such entity) or that identifies its “substantial” United States owners. If the notes are held through a foreign financial institution that enters into (or is otherwise subject to) a FATCA Agreement, such foreign financial institution (or, in certain cases, a person paying amounts to such foreign financial institution) generally will be required, subject to certain exceptions, to withhold such tax on payments of interest and proceeds described above made to (x) a person (including an individual) that fails to comply with certain information requests or (y) a foreign financial institution that has not entered into (and is not otherwise subject to) a FATCA Agreement and is not required to comply with FATCA pursuant to applicable foreign law enacted in connection with an IGA. The rules under FATCA are new and complex. If you hold the notes through a non-U.S. intermediary or if you are a Non-U.S. Holder, you are encouraged to consult with your own tax advisor regarding the implications of FATCA on an investment in the notes.

We will not pay any additional amounts to Non-U.S. Holders in respect of any amounts withheld, including pursuant to FATCA. Under certain circumstances, a Non-U.S. Holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of the FATCA provisions to them based on their particular circumstances.

The summary of United States federal income tax considerations set forth above is intended for general information only and may not be applicable depending upon an investor’s particular situation. Prospective investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of notes, including the tax consequences under United States federal income tax laws, state, local, foreign and other tax laws and the possible effects of changes in United States or other tax laws.

 

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UNDERWRITING

We and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, the representatives for the underwriters for the offering, have entered into an underwriting agreement with respect to the notes. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase, the aggregate principal amount of notes listed next to its name in the following table:

 

Underwriters

   Principal Amount
of the              Notes
     Principal Amount
of the 2021 Notes
 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                      Incorporated

   $         $     

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

     

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

     
     
     
     
     
     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $                              $                          
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the notes offered by this prospectus supplement are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain other conditions. The underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the notes being offered, if any are taken.

The underwriters have advised us that they propose initially to offer the notes to the public for cash at the public offering prices set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement, and to certain dealers at such prices less a concession not in excess of         % of the principal amount of the              notes and         % of the principal amount of the 2021 notes. The underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of         % of the principal amount of the              notes and         % of the principal amount of the 2021 notes to certain other dealers. After the initial public offering of the notes, the public offering prices and other selling terms may be changed by the representatives.

The following table shows the underwriting discounts that we are to pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering.

 

     Paid by Starbucks  

Per              Note

                          

Per 2021 Note

                          

Total

   $                         

We estimate that our share of the total expenses of the offering, excluding underwriting discounts, will be approximately $             million.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against, or contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of, certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

The              notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. The 2021 notes offered by this prospectus supplement will trade interchangeably with the $500,000,000 principal amount of 2.100% Senior Notes due 2021 issued by us on February 4, 2016 pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated February 1, 2016. The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or quoted on any automated dealer quotation

 

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system. The underwriters may make a market in the notes of either series after completion of the offering but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading markets for the notes or that active public markets for the notes will develop. If active public markets for the notes do not develop, the market prices and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected.

In connection with the offering of the notes, the representatives, on behalf of the underwriters, may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the prices of the notes. Specifically, the representatives may overallot in connection with the offering, creating a short position. In addition, the representatives may bid for, and purchase, the notes in the open market to cover short positions or to stabilize the price of the notes. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market prices of the notes above independent market levels, but no representation is made hereby of the magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the market prices of the notes. The representatives will not be required to engage in these activities, and may engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities, at any time without notice.

The representatives also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased notes sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions. Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market prices of the notes. They may also cause the prices of the notes to be higher than the prices that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions in the over-the-counter-market or otherwise. If underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include sales and trading, commercial and investment banking, advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, market making, brokerage and other financial and non-financial activities and services. Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates. They have received, or may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for these transactions. Bank of America, N.A., an affiliate of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, is administrative agent, swing line lender and L/C issuer under our Credit Agreement, and also a lender thereunder. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., an affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, is co-syndication agent and L/C issuer under our Credit Agreement. Each of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC is joint lead arranger and joint book manager under our Credit Agreement and also a lender thereunder. Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC, an affiliate of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, is a co-documentation agent under our Credit Agreement and also a lender thereunder. Certain of the other underwriters or their respective affiliates are also lenders under our Credit Agreement.

In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments, including acting as counterparties to certain derivative and hedging arrangements, and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates that have a lending relationship with us routinely hedge their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, such underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the notes offered hereby. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

 

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Selling Restrictions

Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada

The notes may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the notes must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (“NI 33-105”), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the “Relevant Implementation Date”) no offer of notes may be made to the public in that Relevant Member State other than:

(a) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

(b) to fewer than 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the relevant underwriter or underwriters nominated by us for any such offer;

(c) in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,

provided that no such offer of notes shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

This prospectus supplement has been prepared on the basis that any offer of notes in any Relevant Member State will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of notes. Accordingly, any person making or intending to make an offer in that Relevant Member State of notes which are the subject of the offering contemplated in this prospectus supplement may only do so in circumstances in which no obligation arises for us or any of the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive in relation to such offer. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized, nor do they authorize, the making of any offer of notes in circumstances in which an obligation arises for the Company or the underwriters to publish a prospectus for such offer.

For the purpose of the above provisions, the expression “an offer to the public” in relation to any notes in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the notes, as the same may be varied in the Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the.

 

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Prospectus Directive in the Relevant Member State, the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended, including by Directive 2010/73/EU), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom

Each underwriter has represented, warranted and agreed that:

 

    it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”)) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the notes which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us; and

 

    it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong

The notes may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the notes may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

The contents of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong. You are advised to exercise caution in relation to the offering of the notes. If you are in any doubt about any of the contents of this document, you should obtain independent professional advice.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan

The notes have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (the “Financial Instruments and Exchange Law”) and each underwriter has agreed that it will not offer or sell any of the notes, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been registered as prospectuses with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any related free writing prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or

 

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invitation for subscription or purchase, of the notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor, shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest in that trust will not be transferable for 6 months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the notes under Section 275 except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is given for the transfer; or (3) by operation of law.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the notes will be passed upon for us by Jones Day, and, with respect to matters of Washington law, by Robert L. Villaseñor, Esq., our director, corporate counsel and assistant secretary. Mr. Villaseñor owns shares of, and options on, Starbucks common stock, both directly and as a participant in various stock and employee benefit plans. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by Mayer Brown LLP.

EXPERTS

The financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 27, 2015 and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 27, 2015 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document that we filed with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus supplement modifies or supersedes such statement. You may request a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by writing to us or telephoning us at the address and telephone number set forth below. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made by us with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to the termination of the offering:

 

    Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2015, filed with the SEC on November 12, 2015;

 

    Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 27, 2015 filed with the SEC on January 26, 2016, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 27, 2016 filed with the SEC on April 26, 2016; and

 

    Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 7, 2016; February 4, 2016; March 1, 2016; March 28, 2016; April 21, 2016; and May 4, 2016.

To the extent that any information contained in any Current Report on Form 8-K, or any exhibit thereto, was furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, such information or exhibit is specifically not incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus unless specifically stated otherwise.

You may request a free copy of these filings by writing, telephoning or e-mailing us at the following address:

Starbucks Corporation

Investor Relations — Mailstop EX4

P.O. Box 34067

Seattle, Washington 98124-1067

(206) 318-7118

investorrelations@starbucks.com

http://investor.starbucks.com

 

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PROSPECTUS

LOGO

Starbucks Corporation

Debt Securities

 

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission using a “shelf” registration process. This means:

 

    we may offer and sell debt securities from time to time;

 

    we will provide a prospectus supplement each time we offer and issue the securities; and

 

    the applicable prospectus supplement will provide specific information about the terms of the securities offered under it and also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.

 

 

You should carefully read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement before you invest. Investing in the securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 1.

The securities offered by this prospectus may be offered directly, through agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of the securities offered by this prospectus, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them, will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. None of the securities offered by this prospectus may be sold without delivery of the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of those securities.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is September 3, 2013


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

About this Prospectus

     1   

The Company

     1   

Risk Factors

     1   

Forward-Looking Statements

     2   

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     2   

Use of Proceeds

     2   

Description of Debt Securities

     3   

Legal Matters

     10   

Experts

     10   

Where You Can Find More Information

     10   

Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference

     11   


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a “shelf” registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell the securities described in this prospectus from time to time in one or more offerings. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the terms of the offering and of the securities being offered. Each prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus prepared by us or on our behalf, together with the documents we have incorporated by reference in this prospectus described under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” and the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, in the accompanying prospectus supplement, and in any free writing prospectus prepared by us or on our behalf. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus prepared by us or on our behalf is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have subsequently changed.

References in this prospectus to “Starbucks,” “we,” “us” and “our” are to Starbucks Corporation, a Washington corporation, and its subsidiaries unless the context otherwise provides.

THE COMPANY

Starbucks is the premier roaster, marketer and retailer of specialty coffee in the world, operating in 62 countries. We purchase and roast high-quality coffees that we sell, along with handcrafted coffee, tea and other beverages and a variety of fresh food items, through company-operated stores. We also sell a variety of coffee and tea products and license our trademarks through other channels such as licensed stores, grocery and national foodservice accounts. In addition to our flagship Starbucks brand, our portfolio also includes Teavana®, Tazo® Tea, Seattle’s Best Coffee®, Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew, Starbucks Refreshers™ beverages, Evolution Fresh™, La Boulange bakery brand and the Verismo™ System by Starbucks.

Our objective is to maintain Starbucks standing as one of the most recognized and respected brands in the world. To achieve this goal, we are continuing the disciplined expansion of our global store base. In addition, by leveraging the experience gained through our traditional store model, we continue to offer consumers new coffee products in a variety of forms, across new categories, and through diverse channels. Starbucks Global Responsibility strategy and commitments related to coffee and the communities we do business in, as well as our focus on being an employer of choice, are also key complements to our business strategies.

We were incorporated in the State of Washington in 1985. Our principal executive offices are located at 2401 Utah Avenue South, Seattle, Washington 98134. Our telephone number is (206) 447-1575.

RISK FACTORS

Investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus involves risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference from our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and the other information contained or incorporated by reference in

 

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this prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and the risk factors and other information contained in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus before acquiring any of such securities.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus include “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs, such as “will,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “aims,” “intends,” or “projects.” A forward-looking statement is neither a prediction nor a guarantee of future events or circumstances, and those future events or circumstances may not occur. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. These forward-looking statements are all based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Our actual future results and trends may differ materially depending on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties discussed under “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not rely on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Any or all of the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any other public statement made by us, including by our management, may turn out to be incorrect. We are including this cautionary note to make applicable and take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for forward-looking statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our ratios of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated.

 

     Three Quarters
Ended
     Fiscal Years Ended  
     Jun 30,
2013
     September 30,
2012
     October 2,
2011
     October 3,
2010
     September 27,
2009
     September 28,
2008
 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (1)

     10.8x         9.5x         7.7x         6.1x         2.7x         2.3x   

 

(1) The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing (i) income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and income from equity investees, plus distributed income from equity investees, amortization of capitalized interest and fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest) by (ii) fixed charges. Fixed charges include amortization of debt-related expenses, capitalized interest during the period and the interest portion of rental expense.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include business expansion, payment of cash dividends on our common stock, the repurchase of our common stock under our ongoing share repurchase program as updated and approved by our board of directors, or the financing of possible acquisitions. Specific allocations of the proceeds for such purposes have not been made at this time.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

This prospectus describes the general terms and provisions of our debt securities. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the supplement whether the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities.

The debt securities will be issued under an indenture, dated as of August 23, 2007, between us and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, as it may be amended and supplemented from time to time. If we issue debt securities that are subordinated to other debt securities, they will be issued under an indenture identical to the indenture incorporated by reference as an exhibit, except that it will be executed by us and a trustee to be named at a later date. We have summarized select portions of the indenture below. The summary is not complete, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the indenture. The indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. You should read the indenture for provisions that may be important to you. Capitalized terms used in the summary have the meaning specified in the indenture.

General

Unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus, the debt securities will be our senior, direct, unsecured obligations and, as such, will rank pari passu in right of payment with all of our existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to all of our subordinated indebtedness. The debt securities will be effectively subordinated to (i) all existing and future indebtedness or other liabilities of our subsidiaries and (ii) all of our existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that indebtedness.

The indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued under it and provides that debt securities may be issued under it from time to time in one or more series. We may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the debt securities of any series.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indenture does not afford the holders of the debt securities the right to require us to repurchase or redeem the debt securities in the event of a highly-leveraged transaction.

We are not obligated to issue all debt securities of one series at the same time and, unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may reopen a series, without the consent of the holders of the outstanding debt securities of that series, for the issuance of additional debt securities of that series. Additional debt securities of a particular series will have the same terms and conditions as outstanding debt securities of such series, except for the issue date and, in some cases, the public offering price and the first interest payment date, and will be consolidated with, and form a single series with, such outstanding debt securities.

The prospectus supplement will set forth, among other things:

 

    the title of the debt securities;

 

    the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which we will sell the debt securities;

 

    whether the debt securities will be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, and if they are subordinated debt securities, the terms of the subordination;

 

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    any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities and the right, if any, to extend such date or dates;

 

    the date or dates on which we will pay the principal on the debt securities;

 

    the dates, if any, on which interest on the offered debt securities will be payable, and the regular record date for any interest payable on any offered securities;

 

    the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which interest will commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

 

    the right, if any, to extend the interest periods and the duration of that extension;

 

    the place or places where principal of, and premium and interest on, the debt securities will be payable;

 

    the terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the debt securities;

 

    any obligation we have to redeem or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities;

 

    the dates on which and the price or prices at which we will repurchase debt securities at the option of the holders of debt securities and other detailed terms and provisions of these repurchase obligations;

 

    the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

 

    whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities;

 

    the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount;

 

    the designation of the currency or currencies in which payment of principal of, and premium and interest on, the debt securities will be made if other than U.S. dollars;

 

    any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities;

 

    any addition to or change in the events of default described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

 

    any addition to or change in the covenants described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

 

    any other terms of the debt securities, which may modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to that series; and

 

    any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities.

The foregoing is not intended to be an exclusive list of the terms that may be applicable to any offered debt securities.

We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Exchange and Transfer

Debt securities may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us.

We will not impose a service charge for any transfer or exchange, but we may require holders to pay any tax or other governmental charges associated with any transfer or exchange.

In the event of any potential redemption of debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

 

    issue, register the transfer of, or exchange, any debt security of that series during a period beginning at the opening of 15 business days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or

 

    register the transfer of or, exchange any, debt security of that series selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion being redeemed in part.

We may initially appoint the trustee as the security registrar. Any transfer agent, in addition to the security registrar initially designated by us, will be named in the prospectus supplement. We may designate additional transfer agents or change transfer agents or change the office of the transfer agent. However, we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.

Global Securities

The debt securities of any series may be represented, in whole or in part, by one or more global securities. Each global security will:

 

    be registered in the name of a depositary that we will identify in a prospectus supplement;

 

    be deposited with the depositary or its nominee or custodian; and

 

    bear any required legends.

No global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered in the name of any person other than the depositary or any nominee unless:

 

    the depositary has notified us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or has ceased to be qualified to act as depositary;

 

    we elect for any reason in our sole discretion to issue certificated debt securities in exchange for all of any portion of the global debt securities; or

 

    any other circumstances described in a prospectus supplement occur.

As long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, the depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner and holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except in the above limited circumstances, owners of beneficial interests in a global security:

 

    will not be entitled to have the debt securities registered in their names;

 

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    will not be entitled to physical delivery of certificated debt securities; and

 

    will not be considered to be holders of those debt securities under the indenture.

Payments on a global security will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the holder of the global security. Some jurisdictions have laws that require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.

Institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee are referred to as “participants.” Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants and to persons that may hold beneficial interests through participants. The depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of debt securities represented by the global security to the accounts of its participants. Each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary (and, if such person is not a participant, on procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest) to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.

Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on and effected through records maintained by the depositary, with respect to participants’ interests, or by any participant, with respect to interests of persons held by participants on their behalf. Payments, transfers and exchanges relating to beneficial interests in a global security will be subject to policies and procedures of the depositary. The depositary policies and procedures may change from time to time. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for the depositary’s or any participant’s records with respect to beneficial interests in a global security.

Payment and Paying Agent

The provisions of this subsection will apply to the debt securities unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement. Payment of interest on a debt security on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date. Payment on debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of a paying agent or paying agents designated by us. However, at our option, we may pay interest by mailing a check to the record holder.

We may also name any other paying agents in the prospectus supplement. We may designate additional paying agents, change paying agents or change the office of any paying agent. However, we will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

All moneys paid by us to a paying agent for payment on any debt security that remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such payment was due will be repaid to us. Thereafter, the holder may look only to us for such payment.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may not consolidate with or merge into any other person, in a transaction in which we are not the surviving corporation, or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, any person, unless:

 

    the successor, if any, is a U.S. corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust or other entity;

 

    the successor assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture;

 

    immediately after giving effect to the transaction and treating our obligations in connection with or as a result of such transaction as having been incurred as of the time of such transaction, no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing under the indenture; and

 

    certain other conditions are met.

 

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Events of Default

Event of default means, with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:

 

    default in the payment of any interest on any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of that default for a period of 90 days;

 

    default in the payment of principal of, or premium on, any debt security of that series when due and payable;

 

    default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us in the indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 90 days after we receive written notice from the trustee or we and the trustee receive written notice from the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture;

 

    certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our company; and

 

    any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

No event of default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities. The occurrence of an event of default may constitute an event of default under our bank credit agreements in existence from time to time. In addition, the occurrence of certain events of default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain of our other indebtedness outstanding from time to time.

If an event of default (other than an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture.

The indenture provides that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any holder of outstanding debt securities, unless the trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.

 

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No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:

 

    that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to debt securities of that series; and

 

    the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity, to the trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, and premium and any interest on, that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of such payment.

The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any default or event of default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if it in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities.

Modification and Waiver

We may modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments. We may not make any modification or amendment without the consent of the holders of each affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment would:

 

    reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any debt security or reduce the amount payable or extend the time of payment of any redemption or repurchase of debt securities of a series;

 

    reduce the rate (or alter the method of computation) of, or extend the time for payment of, interest (including default interest) on any debt security;

 

    waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

    make the principal of or premium or interest on any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security;

 

    make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, the right of holders of debt securities to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest on those debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and to waivers or amendments; or

 

    reduce the percentage in principal amount of debt securities of any series, the consent of the holders of which is required for any of the foregoing modifications or otherwise necessary to modify or amend the indenture or to waive any past default.

Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the

 

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outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, or premium or any interest on, any debt security of that series or in respect of a covenant or provision, which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of all of the holders of each outstanding debt security of the series affected; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration.

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

Legal Defeasance. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of such series, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of such series, and to maintain paying agencies and certain provisions relating to the treatment of funds held by paying agents). We will be so discharged upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. dollars, foreign government obligations, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.

This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.

Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, upon compliance with certain conditions, we may omit to comply with certain of the covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants that may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series, or covenant defeasance.

The conditions include:

 

    depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. dollars, foreign government obligations, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities; and

 

    delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the debt securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Jones Day, and, with respect to matters of Washington law, by Sophie Hager Hume, Esq., our vice president, assistant general counsel and assistant secretary, and for any underwriters or agents by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Ms. Hume owns shares of, and options on, Starbucks common stock, both directly and as a participant in various stock and employee benefit plans.

EXPERTS

The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated January 29, 2013 and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are subject to the informational reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and in accordance with these requirements file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The reports, proxy statements and other information we file may be inspected and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC file number for documents filed by us under the Exchange Act is 000-20322. Our SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Our common stock, $0.001 par value per share, is traded on the Global Select Market of the NASDAQ Stock Market, under the symbol “SBUX.” The address of our internet site is http://www.starbucks.com. We make available free of charge on or through our internet site our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Any internet addresses provided in this prospectus are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be hyperlinks. Accordingly, no information in any of these internet addresses is included or incorporated herein.

 

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document that we filed with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information contained in this prospectus. Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus modifies or supersedes such statement. You may request a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus by writing to us or telephoning us at the address and telephone number set forth below. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made by us with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering:

 

    Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, filed with the SEC on November 16, 2012 (financial information included therein recast and filed on our Current Report on Form 8-K on January 29, 2013);

 

    Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 30, 2012 filed with the SEC on January 29, 2013; our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on April 30, 2013; and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2013 filed with the SEC on July 30, 2013; and

 

    Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 15, 2012, November 16, 2012, January 29, 2013, February 8, 2013, March 22, 2013, and May 2, 2013.

To the extent that any information contained in any Current Report on Form 8-K, or any exhibit thereto, was furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, such information or exhibit is specifically not incorporated by reference in this prospectus unless specifically stated otherwise.

You may request a free copy of these filings by writing, telephoning or e-mailing us at the following address:

Starbucks Corporation

Investor Relations — Mailstop EX4

P.O. Box 34067

Seattle, Washington 98124-1067

(206) 318-7118

investorrelations@starbucks.com

http://investor.starbucks.com

 

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LOGO

$            

Starbucks Corporation

$                      % Senior Notes due         

$             2.100% Senior Notes due 2021

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

BofA Merrill Lynch

Morgan Stanley

Wells Fargo Securities

            , 2016