Oregon Public Broadcasting

Starbucks reported big quarterly profits Tuesday. The world's biggest coffee chain also raised its stock dividend and boosted its outlook for the year.

Tom Banse / Northwest News Network

Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz says the coffee giant's turnaround is gaining momentum. Comparable store sales increased 9 percent in the latest quarter than the same period last year.

Seattle-based Starbucks benefited from more traffic in its coffee shops and the people who came spent more.

The description fits Olympia mother Helena Rice. She just shelled out "seven or eight dollars" on a pasta salad and an iced coffee.

Helena Rice: "The reason I go there a lot more now is that I have a four-and-a-half year old and I can get him healthy food in there for his lunch. So I can get my coffee and get his healthy snack."

Strong cash flow at Starbucks prompted the board to increase the company's stock dividend.

The coffee giant also raised its forecast of future revenue, which is something financial analysts like to see.