Starbucks (SBUX) reported an earnings beat but fell shy on revenue Thursday, as the company aims to move beyond its turnaround plan to accelerate growth.

For the fifth consecutive quarter, the coffee giant posted better-than-expected same-store sales growth, up 7.2%, compared to Wall Street's expectations of 6.2%. That was driven by US sales, which were up 7.7%, with roughly a 5% increase in ticket sizes as customers spent more at Starbucks, especially on merchandise and its fall drinks, which was the strongest launch day for the season yet, and roughly a 2% increase in transactions.

"We have a clear plan. We've been working the plan. And the plan is working," CEO Brian Niccol said in prepared remarks. He added that the company is operating with consistency, a healthier portfolio, and that more customers are going to Starbucks.

On the earnings call, Niccol told investors the company sees "significant long-term white space in North America … to build around 5,000 additional coffee houses over time." His comments come after Starbucks shared plans in September to close 250 stores in the US and Canada, reducing its store count by roughly 1%.

Adjusted earnings came in at $0.80, more than the $0.71 Wall Street forecast. Revenue fell short, at $9.1 billion, compared with the $9.2 billion the Street was looking for, reflecting the sale of Starbucks China business.

International sales, which is mostly the UK and Japan, fell short of Wall Street's expectations, rising just 0.9% compared to the roughly 3% growth the Street was looking for. A decline in transactions, down roughly 3%, offset a 4% increase in the average ticket.

This report also included Starbucks' fiscal 2026 results, which revealed a similar narrative. Revenue fell short of the Street's estimates, but earnings and same-store sales growth beat.

For the full year, revenue grew 2% to $37.9 billion, just shy of the $38 billion the Street expected. Adjusted earnings increased 28% year over year to $2.72, above the Street's estimate of $2.62 per share.

Global same-store sales grew by 6.2% for the year, beating estimates of 6% and also driven by the North America business.

"We enter fiscal 2027 with momentum, a clear set of priorities and higher ambitions for what Starbucks can become," Niccol said.

CFO Cathy Smith said the team expects North America same-store sales to increase by roughly 4% in 2027.

Smith added, "Any pricing will remain focused and well below CPI," or the annual consumer inflation rate, which is currently at 3.7%.