That showed in the company’s results. While improving, revenues and same-store sales were still lackluster, as Starbucks tries to woo back customers that were frustrated with long wait times, among other issues.

Key Takeaways Starbucks reported fiscal first-quarter results that topped analysts’ expectations, despite sales and profit declines year-over-year.The better-than-expected results came as new CEO Brian Niccol said the company made progress toward its "Back to Starbucks" strategy.

Starbucks reported a smaller-than-expected fall in first-quarter comparable sales on Tuesday, in early signs of the struggling coffee chain benefiting from CEO Brian Niccol's efforts to revive demand.

Starbucks reported lower profits Tuesday in results that still topped expectations as the company's new CEO described various pilot program tests to reinvigorate the chain.

Starbucks has reported better-than-expected sales in its fiscal first quarter as some of its turnaround efforts start to take hold.