The documentary 'Baristas vs Billionaires' focuses on the labor movement that emerged in Buffalo, New York, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. As food service workers faced increased pressure on the frontlines, employees at several Starbucks locations began a public campaign to organize a union. The film documents the subsequent clash between these workers and Starbucks corporate leadership.

The narrative centers on the arrival of former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz in Buffalo, which the film characterizes as a direct attempt to discourage unionization. The documentary frames the events as a significant moment in modern American labor history, contrasting the grassroots efforts of the baristas with the corporate influence of the company. While the film highlights the workers' perspective on the company's tactics, it serves as a primary account of the tensions that defined the Buffalo campaign, which became a focal point for broader national discussions regarding labor rights and corporate management in the service industry.