Jan 28 (Reuters) - Starbucks ( SBUX ) reported a bigger-than-expected rise in first-quarter comparable sales on Wednesday, as demand rebounded in the U.S. after nearly two years in early signs of success of CEO Brian Niccol's turnaround efforts.

The ‌company's shares rose 5% in premarket trading after it also reinstated its full-year targets ​ahead of its first investor day under Niccol on Thursday ‍in New York.

Niccol has focused on reviving ⁠the company's coffeehouse ⁠culture in the U.S. to bring back consumers and fend off newer rivals.

Starbucks ( SBUX ) ‌has trimmed nearly 30% of its ​offerings in U.S. stores at the end of 2025 as part of simplifying its menu. Over the ⁠last year, the company has ‍shed ​items such as olive-oil infused beverage line Oleato, and several "frappuccino" beverages to focus on its key lattes.

Comparable sales rose ‍4% in North America, marking their first gains in nearly two years. The company has shed hundreds of underperforming stores, including its flagship Seattle roastery, and has also tried to lower back-end operational costs.

In the reported quarter, customer traffic was ​also ‍up on key promotional days such as the annual Red Cup day in December, as well as its ​holiday merchandise collection item, the Bearista Cold Cup in November, according to data from Placer.ai.

The company reported a 4% rise in quarterly global comparable sales, compared with estimates of 2.25%, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Starbucks ( SBUX ) expects fiscal 2026 global same-store sales to grow 3% or ​higher, compared with estimates of a 2.94% rise.

The company expects fiscal 2026 adjusted profit to be $2.15 to $2.40 per share, the mid-point of which is below ‍estimates of $2.35.

(Reporting by Juveria Tabassum in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)