Starbucks has the number one restaurant app, beating out Dominos Pizza. They have a compelling rewards program and 50% of their customers consistently use it. Starbucks app has 1.5 billion dollars in cash reserves at any given time.
They’ve stealthy convinced customers to loan them 1.5 billion dollars worth of cash. Interest free. Unfortunately 10% of that money ends up being completely forgotten and unused.
They have more money than 85% of banks in the US with the added benefit of not having to be regulated as a bank. They don’t have to pay out interest, or keep extra cash reserves.
They have the option of using the money to reinvested into the market. Or be used to open up new stores.