Starbucks posted its strongest comparable sales growth in years during the second quarter of fiscal 2026. Global comps rose 6.2%. Transactions drove most of the gain. The numbers mark a sharp turn from the string of declines that defined 2025. Revenue climbed 9% to $9.5 billion. Adjusted earnings per share reached 50 cents. Both beat expectations. Shares jumped after the April 28 report. Starbucks investor release . The improvement did not come easily. For much of the prior year the company faced falling traffic in its largest markets. U.S. same-store sales dropped 2% for fiscal 2025. Transactions fell 4%. Operating income was cut nearly in half. Profits crashed. The stock slid more than 10% at points. Then new leadership stepped in. Brian Niccol took the helm as chairman and CEO. He launched the “Back to Starbucks” plan. Simpler menus. Faster service. Better coffee experience. The early results show in the data. North America comps jumped 7.1%. U.S. figures matched that pace with 4.3% more transactions.…