400 Starbucks Cafes Will Soon Be Closing
Your favorite Starbucks store may soon be closing…
After the coronavirus pandemic has forced us all to change behaviors by socially distancing, Starbucks has announced they will be closing up to 400 dine-in cafes nationwide in the next 18 months.
But don’t fret! Starbucks plans to increase the number of pickup-only locations that offer customers options like curbside pickup, drive-thru, and mobile-only pickup in urban locations like New York City, Chicago, Seattle, and San Francisco.
Hip Tip – Check out these step-by-step instructions for ordering ahead from the Starbucks App!
In an open letter to US partners, Kevin Johnson, CEO and President, announced that Starbucks will adapt to current trends to help keep customers and employees safe:
Since approximately 80% of our store transactions before the crisis were “on the go,” we were already adapting to new consumer trends that balance the need for convenience on-the-go with the desire for connection in our stores… The plans we had for this broader store transformation over a three – to five-year period will now occur over the next 12 to 18 months.
After the success in opening its first pickup-only location last year in New York City, Starbucks has decided to close some traditional stores in favor of having a blend between traditional sit-down cafes and pick-up only locations in large cities.
Starbucks also has plans to utilize curbside pickup from cars, where customers can pay ahead then park in designated spots to pick up their orders. Over the next few months, more stores will offer this option, and a select number of stores will exclusively test this option!
Starbucks also plans to expand its drive-thru locations, including opening new locations in new markets and adding double-lane drive-thrus!
To learn more about how Starbucks is adapting to the new normal after the coronavirus, you can read the full letter here.
Starbucks Happy Hour is returning on June 18th!
