Introduction to Starbucks’ New Initiative
Starbucks is moving away from the concept of grab-and-go stores. As part of the chain’s ongoing “back to Starbucks” initiative, the company plans to “sunset” stores that only offer mobile order pickups during the 2026 fiscal year.
A customer picks up a mobile order at a Starbucks coffee shop in San Francisco, California, U.S., on Thursday, April 28, 2022. Starbucks Corp. is expected to release earnings figures on May 3. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Reason Behind the Shift
Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol made the announcement during the company’s July 29 earnings call, describing the grab-and-go store model — which was introduced in New York in 2019 in an attempt to speed up coffee runs — as “overly transactional and lacking the warmth and human connection that defines our brand.” “We have a strong digital offering and believe we can deliver the same level of convenience through our community coffeehouses with a superior mobile order and pay experience,” the CEO continued.
Expected Outcomes
Niccol said he expects the ongoing changes to Starbucks operations will “improve and transform the foundations” of the company’s North American business while “reestablishing that moment of connection between a barista and their customer.” To clarify the shift, a Starbucks spokesperson shared the following with TODAY.com: “We’re not moving away from mobile ordering — it remains a critical part of our business, accounting for 31% of transactions … What we are doing is sunsetting the concept of mobile order and pickup-only locations.”
Recent Changes Under New CEO
Since Niccol took became CEO in September 2024, he has rolled out several major changes in an effort to return Starbucks to what he calls its “coffeehouse community roots.” Updates include the removal of 13 drinks from the menu, a trimmed down menu, updated pricing to syrups and sauces, app ordering limits and changes to the loyalty program. In addition, Starbucks has scaled back discounts for customers, tightened up its employee dress code, reversed its open-door policy and altered its refill policy.
Which Stores Are Closing?
During the earnings call, Niccol revealed that Starbucks currently has “roughly” 80 or 90 mobile pickup stores. “This shift doesn’t mean all of them will close,” said the spokesperson. “Where it makes sense, we’ll convert some into traditional coffeehouses with seating to better serve our customers and communities.” They didn’t provide specific timing for the closures or reveal which locations will be converted into regular Starbucks stores.
Airport Locations
- IAH Pick Up Terminal E Gate 1
- IAH Term. E Gate 5 in Houston, Texas
- IAH Term. E Gate 18 in Houston, Texas
Arizona
- 55th St & Broadway in Tempe
- Central Ave & Buena Vista
- Speedway & N Park Ave in Tucson
- Arizona Ave & Loop 202 in Chandler
California
- Artesia & Flagler in Redondo Bch.
- Base Line Rd & Day Creek Blvd, Rancho Cucamonga
- Brand & Milford in Glendale
- Broadway & 8th in Los Angeles
- Broadway Ave & Curtis St, Salida
- Broadway & Front in San Diego
- California St & Drumm St in San Francisco
- Hwy 1 & Belleville in Half Moon Bay
- Main & Ashland in Santa Monica
- Mountain & Hawthorne in Ontario
- National and Overland in Los Angeles
- N Pepper Ave & W Valley Blvd, Colton
- S Santa Fe Ave & E 3rd St, Los Angeles
- Sierra & Marygold in Fontana
- Union Station East Portal in Los Angeles
- Verdugo and Cañada in Glendale
- S Western Ave & Venice Blvd., Los Angeles
- Wilshire & Western Ave in Los Angeles
- Yorba Linda & Lakeview in Yorba Linda
- Gilroy Town Place
Colorado
- Laurel & College in Fort Collins
Connecticut
Georgia
- Piedmont & Auburn, Atlanta
Hawaii
- King St & Alakea in Honolulu
Florida
- Biscayne & NE 3rd St, Miami
- FSU Azalea Hall
Illinois
- 55th & Woodlawn in Hyde Park
- 227 W. Monroe in Chicago
- 555 S. Dearborn in Chicago
- 2063 N. Clark in Dickens
- Addison and Sheffield in Chicago
- Golf & Higgins in Schaumburg
- Lake & Waukegan in Glenview
- Lima & Ludwig in Fort Wayne
- Plainfield-127th & Route 59 in Plainfield
- Prentice Women’s Hospital in Chicago
- Wrightwood & Racine in Chicago
Maryland
- Towson Armory Building in Towson
- Dulaney Plaza in Towson
- JHH Weinberg Bldg — Secure Access
Massachusetts
- Lechmere in Cambridge
- Tufts Medford in Medford
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Michigan
- Ionia & Oakes in Grand Rapids
Minnesota
- 33 S 6th St — City Center — Skyway in Minneapolis
- Nicollet and 26th St in Minneapolis
New York
- 13th & University in Manhattan
- 40th & 8th w/Amazon Go in Manhattan
- 42nd & Park in Manhattan (TD Bank)
- 52nd & 7th in Manhattan
- 56th & 2nd in Manhattan
- 59th — Park & Lex w/Amazon Go in Manhattan
- 5th Ave between 41st & 42nd in Manhattan
- 67th St & Columbus Ave in Manhattan
- 76th & Second in Manhattan
- Broadway between 36th & 37th in Manhattan
- Carmine & Varick in Manhattan
- Deer Park Ave & Woods Rd in North Babylon
- Pace University in New York
- Yonkers, Sawyer Place in Yonkers
North Carolina
- 601 Tryon, Ally CLT Center in Charlotte
- 9th Street Duke in Durham
- Hillsborough & Pogue St in Raleigh
Ohio
- Miami University — Bell Tower
- Ohio State University — Neil Ave & 11th in Columbus
- Princeton Glendale Road in Hamilton
Oklahoma
- 12th Street & Moore Ave in Moore
Pennsylvania
- 17th & Chestnut in Philadelphia
- Springfield in Baltimore Pike
South Carolina
- Camperdown Plaza in Greenville
Tennessee
- Amazon Tower 1 in Nashville
- Broadwest in Nashville
- Fifth Third Center in Nashville
Texas
- 22nd & Rio Grande in Austin
- 2401 Victory Park Lane in Dallas
- 2nd & Commerce in Fort Worth
- City Centre in Houston
- Hillcroft & US 59 in Houston
- Hwy 59 & Hwy 762 in Rosenberg
- I-35 & Valley Mills in Waco
- W Rancier Ave & N 2nd in Killeen
Virginia
- VCU — Main and Harrison in Richmond
- 1001 W Main St in Charlottesville
Washington
- 1st & Denny in Seattle
- 1st & University in Seattle
- 4th & Bellevue Way in Bellevue
- Downtown Redmond in Redmond
- U Village North in Seattle
Conclusion
The decision to phase out grab-and-go stores marks a significant shift in Starbucks’ strategy, focusing on reestablishing the personal connection between customers and baristas that has been a cornerstone of the brand’s identity. As the company navigates this change, it will be crucial to monitor how these alterations impact customer satisfaction and loyalty.
FAQs
- Q: Why is Starbucks closing its grab-and-go stores?
- A: Starbucks is closing its grab-and-go stores as part of its "back to Starbucks" initiative, aiming to focus on community coffeehouses that offer a superior mobile order and pay experience while reestablishing the human connection between baristas and customers.
- Q: How many grab-and-go stores does Starbucks currently have?
- A: Starbucks has roughly 80 or 90 mobile pickup stores.
- Q: Will all grab-and-go stores close?
- A: Not all grab-and-go stores will close. Some will be converted into traditional coffeehouses with seating.
- Q: What changes has Starbucks introduced under its new CEO?
- A: Changes include the removal of drinks from the menu, a trimmed-down menu, updated pricing, app ordering limits, changes to the loyalty program, scaled-back discounts, a tightened employee dress code, reversal of the open-door policy, and alterations to the refill policy.
