The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.
The GCC is expected to create 800 high-value jobs in its first phase, further strengthening Chennai’s position as a destination for global companies seeking to build technology, talent and business capabilities for the world, an official release said.
The Starbucks investment also reflects the Government’s increasingly hands-on approach to investment facilitation, it said.
During the course of discussions, when the proposal required further engagement, State Minister for Industries and Investment Promotion S. Keerthana personally intervened and wrote to Starbucks’ global team, making a direct case for Chennai and Tamil Nadu. Her continued engagement helped bring renewed attention to the opportunity and contributed to Starbucks moving forward with its Chennai GCC, the official release said.
“We are delighted to welcome Starbucks to Tamil Nadu. A global brand of Starbucks’ stature choosing Chennai to establish its Global Capability Centre is a strong endorsement of our talent, our capabilities and the business environment we are building in Tamil Nadu,” Keerthana said.
The Starbucks announcement adds to the growing momentum around Chennai’s GCC ecosystem. Recent GCC-related investments and MoUs include Nordex, Chubb, Walgreens, EY and Sigma Technology, alongside Starbucks.
The state government has also announced three dedicated GCC corridors in Chennai with higher FSI, aimed at enabling the development and expansion of large-scale global capability operations.
With Starbucks joining this growing ecosystem, Tamil Nadu is strengthening its position as a destination where global companies can access skilled talent, build high-value capabilities and serve markets around the world.
From attracting investment to actively working with companies to make it happen, Tamil Nadu’s investment promotion approach is focused on turning opportunities into long-term partnerships, high-value employment and global capabilities.
“We just brewed something strong. Tamil Nadu x Starbucks, a partnership blended to perfection.” She also noted that from rich filter kaapi to Starbucks, Tamil Nadu’s story is going global,” Keerthana said.


