Through Jeroslyn JoVonn
December 20, 2025
Florida has filed a new lawsuit alleging that Starbucks’ DEI practices discriminate against non-Black employees.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is suing Starbucks for $100 billion, saying its DEI policy discriminates against non-black employees.
On December 10, Uthmeier has filed a lawsuit accuses Starbucks of giving preferential treatment to minorities in hiring and pay, in violation of Florida civil rights law, Tallahassee Democrat reports. The state is seeking more than $100 billion in civil penalties and damages.
“Racial hiring quotas and preferences are illegal in Florida,” Uthmeier tweeted. “That’s why we’re taking legal action against Starbucks. DEI is DOA in FLA!”
In a tweet from his official page of the Attorney General, Uthmeier accused Starbucks uses DEI “to implement illegal, race-based hiring and promotion policies. Using DEI as an excuse to hire, promote, or demean an employee based on race violates Florida civil rights law, and we have just filed a lawsuit to hold Starbucks accountable.”
The Florida lawsuit reflects conservatives’ criticism of DEI policies, which some say discriminate against white individuals. Starbucks has denied the claims, saying the programs and benefits are “open to all and lawful.”
Florida’s latest lawsuit over Starbucks’ DEI policy follows the dismissal last month of a similar case filed last year with the state Division of Administrative Hearings. Uthmeier’s office noted that it would instead pursue the case in state or federal court.
In his newly filed 21-page lawsuit, Uthmeier accuses Starbucks of intentionally discriminating against “nonfavorable races” — including white, Asian and multiracial individuals — through racial quotas and hiring targets over the past five years.
The lawsuit also alleges that the Seattle-based company paid employees differently based on race, tied executive bonuses to participation in quotas and race-based mentorship programs, and excluded “unfavorable” races from mentoring and networking opportunities.
“Defendant’s racist employment actions have caused significant financial losses and harm to the residents of Florida,” the lawsuit said. The alleged practices blocked “a large number of Floridians” from employment and caused others to be “fired, denied promotions, paid at a reduced compensation rate, denied bonuses, and denied mentorship and networking opportunities because of their race.”
The lawsuit demands that Starbucks end all DEI practices and pay civil penalties for any alleged acts of racial discrimination at its 934 Florida locations, which Uthmeier estimates could amount to at least $100 billion under state law. It also seeks compensatory damages for “mental anguish, loss of dignity and other non-pecuniary injuries.”
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