License stores are privately owned. They do not get the benefits corporate stores (directly owned by Starbucks) do. Like free drinks, ASU tuition, free Spotify, etc. Sometimes not even the same rules either. I know a few license stores have been charging for water. Us corporate stores will not.

License stores are not directly working for Starbucks. They are hired by the store they are in. They do not share benefits as they recieve the benefits from the licensee not do they honor partner discounts.

I work for Target. I'm a Starbucks barista but I don't enjoy the partner perks (shift mark outs and partner discounts), I get that sweet, sweet... 10% target discount. I am a target team member first before I am a Starbucks barista. Licensees ride a weird line of being apart of both companies, and yet are completely separate.

“Partner” is a term that Starbucks uses for their employees

Licensed store Starbucks workers are not employed by Starbucks, you’re employed by the licensed store (like target) so you are not a Starbucks partner

When you work for licensed store you are an employee of that company. That company has licensed to use Starbuck logo and purchase item through Starbucks corp and produce Starbucks product. If for example someone works inside of Target, they are target employee and are assigned to Starbucks. They can be told to work inside target itself if that is what management wants them to do. Other benefits that is offered by Starbucks corp do not apply to non Starbucks barista.