Starbucks CEO confirms plans to close up to 90 locations by the end of 2026
COFFEE CHANGE
Starbucks CEO confirms plans to close up to 90 locations by the end of 2026
Starbucks was recently dethroned as the world’s most valuable coffee chain and is being threatened by a Chinese rival
- Jacob Willeford, Consumer Reporter
- Published: 16:46 ET, Jul 29 2025
- Updated: 19:18 ET, Jul 29 2025
Current Time 00:26
/
Duration 00:30Fullscreen
Up Next
Walmart tops list of world’s largest companies for 2025 but popular US brand tumbles 5 spots
Tap for sound
STARBUCKS customers will soon see some shutdowns as the chain works to rebrand itself as a community coffeehouse.
CEO Brian Niccol, who took over in September of last year, confirmed the closure decision on Tuesday.
Sign up for the Money newsletterSign up
Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy
Starbucks mobile-order-only locations are getting phased out throughout next year amid the ongoing Back to Starbucks initiative, according to comments from the CEO in an earnings call.
“As part of this work [Back to Starbucks], we plan to sunset our mobile order and pickup only concept in fiscal 2026,” Niccol told investors.
“We found this format to be overly transactional and lacking the warmth and human connection that defines our brand.”
“We have a strong digital offering and believe that we can deliver the same level of convenience to our community coffeehouses with a superior mobile order and pay experience,” he continued.
Read More on Starbucks
Starbucks Pumpkin Latte back early as fall menu announces returning favorite
Starbucks’ ‘secret menu’ added to app with $25k reward for next viral drink
“Together, we expect these changes to our operating model and our coffeehouse portfolio strategy will improve and transform the foundations of our North American business so that we are establishing that moment of connection between a barista and their customer, bringing back warm and welcoming coffeehouses…”
Niccol noted on the call that Starbucks currently has between 80 and 90 mobile order and pickup locations nationwide.
As far as standard coffeehouses go, there are more than 17,000.
A Starbucks spokesperson also confirmed to The US Sun in an email that some of the mobile-order-only spots will be converted to coffeehouses with seating.
