More than 16,000 barista at Costa Coffee are to receive a 4.1% pay increase.
Team members at the firm’s 1,500 company-owned stores across the UK will see their wages rise as of 1 April 2026. Costa’s baristas will then earn £13.12 per hour, up from £12.60 per hour, while the more experiences barista maestros (team leaders and coffee trainers) will see their hourly pay go up from between £12.93 and £13.43 to £13.75. Store managers will also gain a 3% increase.
Team members in central London will receive an extra £1 per hour than the national rate, bringing their rate to £14.12 per hour for baristas and £14.75 per hour for barista maestros.
National Living Wage is set to increase to £12.71 for those aged 21 and over as of 1 April 2026, up from £12.21 this year.
Costa said the £7m investment – which represents the seventh pay rise for store staff since 2021 – is part of its ongoing commitment to its team members, ensuring they continue to receive a sustainable and competitive pay rate.
The firm does not operate age-bandings, so all 16,000 hourly-paid UK-based team members in company-owned stores will receive a pay increase, with targeted bonuses also offered to high performing store teams.
“Our talented Baristas and team members are the heart of Costa Coffee, with every drink shaped by their expertise, skill and passion,” said Costa Coffee’s UK&I managing director, Nick Orrin.
“This latest pay uplift reflects our ongoing commitment to recognise, reward and invest in the people who deliver great coffee experiences and daily rituals for our customers across the UK.”
Other benefits Costa employees get include 50% in-store discounts, BOGOF share incentive plans, and complimentary coffee while on shift.
Estate expansion
Costa was recently overtaken by Greggs to become the largest coffee and bakery chain in the UK, with data from Allegra World Coffee Portal noting Greggs’ 2,737 outlets to Costa’s 2,707.
However, Costa has its own expansion plans in the works, with 30 more stores to open in Sainsbury’s locations by the summer as well as other types of sites, including drive-thrus.
This includes at least four in Wales being opened as part of a £1.5m investment which will create 40 jobs in the region. The first of these to open was at Sainsbury’s Newport superstore which welcomes its first guests this week (19 February).
Other openings on the horizon include two new drive-thrus in Border Retail Park in Wrexham and in Buttington Cross near Welshpool, with another site in Sainsbury’s Rhyl store.
“Wales remains a key growth region for Costa Coffee, and we’re proud to be continuing our investment across South, Mid and North Wales this year,” said Matthew Cyprus, regional operations director for South West, Wales and Midlands at Costa Coffee.
“These new stores will not only provide greater choice and convenience for customers, but also create valuable job opportunities locally, while giving more customers a warm, welcoming place to enjoy great coffee, made with heart,” Cyprus added.
Following these openings, Costa Coffee will operate 110 stores across Wales, reinforcing its long-term commitment to investing in the region.
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