Starbucks Announces Closure of 250 North American Locations
WHO:
ABC News Business - Starbucks is the organization involved in the store closures.
WHAT:
Fast Company - Starbucks expects most of the closures to be completed by the end of fiscal year 2026.
Fast Company - Starbucks closed 627 stores in North America last September.
Fast Company - The closures represent about 1% of Starbucks' more than 18,000 North American coffee shops.
Fast Company - Starbucks expects to incur approximately $300 million in restructuring charges related to the closures, with around $200 million attributed to lease exit costs and employee separation benefits.
Fast Company - Starbucks now expects about 440 net new coffee shop openings globally this fiscal year, down from an earlier target of 600 to 650 openings.
ABC News Business - Starbucks plans to close 250 stores in North America.
Fox Business - The decision to close the stores is described as a "difficult decision."
WHERE:
ABC News Business - The closures will occur in North America.
WHEN:
ABC News Business - The store closures are scheduled to take place later this week.
WHY:
Fast Company - The closures are part of a strategic restructuring of the brand’s North American footprint.
Fast Company - The decision to close stores is part of CEO Brian Niccol's Back to Starbucks turnaround strategy, aimed at improving customer experience and making cafes more welcoming.
Fox Business - The closures are part of a second wave of store closings by Starbucks.
HOW:
Fast Company - Starbucks has redesigned 1,500 of its cafes within the last two years to make them more inviting and simplified its menu to improve order-delivery speed.
Fast Company - Starbucks will support employees through the transition by offering transfer opportunities where possible and providing severance support for those who cannot be transferred.
ABC News Business - The article does not specify the methods or processes for the closures.
(UPDATED September 24, 2026 15:58 UTC)
Starbucks is set to complete most of its store closures as part of a strategic restructuring of its North American footprint by the end of fiscal year 2026. Last September, the company closed 627 stores in North America, and over the past two years, it has redesigned 1,500 of its cafes to create a more inviting atmosphere while simplifying its menu to enhance order-delivery speed. These changes reflect Starbucks' ongoing efforts to adapt and improve its operations in a competitive market.
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(UPDATED September 24, 2026 14:59 UTC)
Starbucks is set to close about 1% of its more than 18,000 North American coffee shops, which will result in approximately $300 million in restructuring charges, primarily due to lease exit costs and employee separation benefits. As part of CEO Brian Niccol's Back to Starbucks turnaround strategy, the company now anticipates opening around 440 net new coffee shops globally this fiscal year, a decrease from its earlier target of 600 to 650 openings. To support employees during this transition, Starbucks will offer transfer opportunities where possible and provide severance support for those who cannot be transferred.
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(UPDATED September 24, 2026 14:01 UTC)
Starbucks has announced plans to close 250 stores in North America, a decision described as "difficult." This move is part of a second wave of store closings and is scheduled to take place later this week. While the specifics of the closure process have not been detailed, the company is moving forward with these significant changes.