CHENNAI: US-based coffee chain Starbucks will set up a Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Chennai, expected to create 800 high-value jobs in the first phase.The $37 billion Starbucks on Monday signed an MoU with the state government to establish the GCC in the presence of chief minister C Joseph Vijay, the Tamil Nadu government said on Monday.The new centre will add to Chennai’s growing GCC ecosystem, with companies using the city to build technology, business and other global capabilities.The GCC will support Starbucks’ global business and work closely with technology and business teams in the US and across the company. It will also allow the company to gradually bring work currently performed by third-party service providers in-house, strengthening capabilities and talent to support its partners, coffeehouses and customers globally, said Anand Varadarajan, EVP and chief technology officer, Starbucks.He said Chennai was chosen based on several factors, including access to a deep pool of technology talent, strong talent retention and the ability to support the company’s long-term business needs.“This will become part of our broader technology footprint, not a separate or standalone team. We expect recruiting to begin in Q1, with additional details to come as plans are finalised,” he said.Starbucks sees an opportunity to double its international coffeehouse footprint to nearly 40,000 stores outside the US, with growth extending well beyond China. China could expand from about 8,000 stores currently to 15,000-20,000, while markets such as India, Mexico and South Korea have grown their store networks by 20-60%.TN Industries and Investment Promotion minister S Keerthana said Starbucks’ decision reflected Tamil Nadu’s talent pool and business environment. She said the state would continue to work closely with global companies to facilitate investments and build high-value capabilities.The government has been stepping up efforts to attract GCC investments, with recent investments and MoUs involving Nordex, Chubb, Walgreens, EY and Sigma Technology.Tamil Nadu has also announced three dedicated GCC corridors in Chennai with higher floor-space index (FSI) to facilitate the development and expansion of large-scale GCCs.The government said the Starbucks investment followed its investment facilitation efforts, including direct engagement with the company’s global team during discussions on the proposal.Tamil Nadu, once a preferred destination for global companies setting up GCCs, is gradually regaining that position, an industry expert said.