Starbucks plans Chennai GCC with 800 new jobs

US coffee chain Starbucks is set to establish its first Global Capability Centre (GCC) in India in Chennai, with the facility expected to create more than 800 technology jobs in Tamil Nadu.

The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu government on Monday for setting up the centre, in the presence of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, according to the state’s Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce Department.

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The GCC will function independently of Starbucks’ retail joint venture with Tata Consumer Products in India. The centre is expected to hire more than 800 technology professionals, with the state government describing the roles as high-paying jobs.

“Chennai has abundant skilled tech talent, employees here tend to stay longer with companies (less attrition), the state has excellent infrastructure, and the incentives offered by the Tamil Nadu government will help in finding new solutions and growing the business,” Starbucks Chief Technology Officer Thiru. Anand Varadarajan said at the MoU signing event.

Varadarajan added that India remains important to Starbucks as the company looks to build its technology capabilities.

The announcement comes soon after another US-based company, healthcare and pharmacy services major Walgreens, announced plans to establish its first India GCC in Chennai.

Walgreens India Private Limited signed an MoU with the Tamil Nadu government for the centre, which is expected to create more than 250 high-value jobs in its first year, with further expansion planned in the years ahead.

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The Walgreens GCC will be located at the DLF Downtown complex in Taramani, along the newly announced OMR GCC Corridor, according to a state government release.

Welcoming the investment, Virudhai Magal Keerthana, Minister for Industries & Investment Promotion, Government of Tamil Nadu, said, “Partnerships like this reinforce Chennai’s position as a destination for global companies to build, innovate and scale.”

“With 250+ jobs expected in the first year and further expansion planned, this investment is another strong endorsement of Tamil Nadu’s technology talent, healthcare ecosystem and growing global capabilities,” she said in a post on X.