Update (Oct. 26, 2026): This story was first published Oct. 6. It now covers the 250 store closures announced Sept. 24, the new small-café prototype, and the Oct. 29 earnings report.
Quick answer: Yes, Starbucks is closing stores in 2026, but it is not shrinking for good. As of Oct. 26, 2026, it is closing about 250 North American stores, roughly 1% of its more than 18,000 there. At the same time, it is testing smaller cafés with real seating and renovating about 1,500 existing stores. Next big date: fiscal fourth-quarter results on Oct. 29, 2026.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| July 2025 | Starbucks closes its pickup-only stores. CEO Brian Niccol called them “overly transactional.” |
| Sept. 2025 | First big restructuring: 627 stores closed in North America and Europe, about 900 non-retail jobs cut (AP). |
| May 2026 | About 300 more corporate jobs cut, and some underused U.S. offices closed (AP). |
| Sept. 24, 2026 | Second round: about 250 North American stores to close that week (AP). |
| Sept. 30, 2026 | End of fiscal year; about 1,500 stores expected to be retrofitted by then. |
| Oct. 6, 2026 | CNN reports six small-format prototype cafés, including San Antonio and Manhattan. |
| Oct. 29, 2026 | Fiscal Q4 and full-year 2026 results, after the market closes. |
Starbucks changes by the numbers
| Number | What it means |
|---|---|
| 18,000+ | Starbucks stores in North America |
| About 250 | North American stores in the Sept. 2026 closing round (about 1%) |
| 627 | Stores closed in North America and Europe in the Sept. 2025 round |
| About 1,200 | Corporate and non-retail jobs cut (about 900 in 2025, about 300 in May 2026) |
| About 1,500 | Stores expected to be retrofitted by Sept. 30, 2026 |
| 6 | Small-format prototype cafés open as of early Oct. 2026 (CNN) |
| About 30% | Share of customers who order on the app (company figure) |
Put together, the closings are small compared with the size of the chain. The bigger story is how Starbucks wants its stores to look and feel from here.
Why Starbucks is closing 250 more stores
Chief Operating Officer Mike Grams explained the cuts in a letter to employees. The stores being closed either were not making acceptable money or could not give customers and workers the experience Starbucks wants, he wrote.
Starbucks did not list the locations. It also did not say how many are in the U.S. versus Canada. Starbucks Workers United said 20 unionized stores are among them.
Workers at closing stores will be moved to other locations when possible, the company said. Those it cannot place will get severance support.
Starbucks expects about $300 million in restructuring charges tied to this round, according to reports on the announcement.
What the smaller Starbucks looks like
The new cafés are a fraction of the size of a typical store, CNN reported. They still have seats, a bakery case and a full espresso bar.
The trick is the counter. Starbucks redesigned it into a “folded bar” so the equipment fits in a narrow space. That lets the company rent storefronts that were too small for a normal café, often in pricey city blocks.
Six of these prototypes were open as of early October, CNN reported, including stores in San Antonio and Manhattan. Starbucks has not shared the exact square footage.
About 30% of Starbucks customers order on the app, the company says. So the small stores still have to handle a lot of mobile pickups while keeping room to sit.
How this is different from the pickup-only stores
Starbucks tried small stores before. Its pickup-only locations had little or no seating and were built for speed. Niccol shut them in July 2025, saying they lacked “warmth and human connection.”
The new format keeps the small footprint but brings back the café. You can sit, meet a friend, order at the counter, use the app or get delivery. Some locations can even add a drive-thru.
Closing, renovating and building, all at once
It looks contradictory, but it is one plan. Starbucks is doing three things at the same time:
- Closing stores that lose money or cannot be fixed.
- Renovating stores that work, with softer seating, more outlets and a warmer feel. About 1,500 North American stores were expected to be retrofitted by Sept. 30, 2026.
- Opening new stores, some in the smaller format. Grams said Starbucks is still committed to growing its North American store count.
This is all part of Niccol’s “Back to Starbucks” plan. He joined the company in 2024 and has pushed to make stores feel like coffeehouses again, not just pickup counters.
Why small cafés can make business sense
Real estate is one of the biggest costs for any coffee chain. A normal Starbucks needs room for seats, equipment, storage, a pastry case and a line of customers.
Smaller stores need less money, land and building time, Yahoo Finance reported. Some in-line versions could be under 1,000 square feet. Nation’s Restaurant News described a stand-alone 2026 prototype with 32 seats, a drive-thru and about 30% lower construction costs.
The risk is going too small. If a store feels cramped, it turns back into the pickup counter Starbucks just walked away from. That is the balance the company is testing now.
What happens to workers at closing stores
Starbucks says it will try to move workers from closing stores to nearby locations. If it cannot place someone, it will offer severance support.
The closures also touch the union fight. Starbucks Workers United says 20 of the closing stores are unionized. More than 700 U.S. stores have voted to join the union since late 2021, and there is still no contract, AP reported.
How to check if your Starbucks is closing
- Open the Starbucks app and search for your store in the store finder.
- Look for a notice on the door. Stores usually post a closing date.
- Ask a barista which nearby store they suggest.
- Update your favorite store in the app so mobile orders go to the right place.
What it means for you as a customer
| If you… | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Go to a store on the closing list | Check the Starbucks app. Closed stores drop off the store finder. |
| Have Stars or a gift card | They work at any participating U.S. store. Closing one location does not cancel them. |
| Live in a big city | You may see small-format cafés open in tight storefronts. |
| Order mostly on the app | Pickup still works at the new small cafés. |
| Like to sit and work | Renovated stores are adding seats and outlets back. |
Made-up example: This is a made-up example. Maria’s usual Starbucks closes in early October. She opens the app, finds two other stores within a mile, and sets one as her favorite. Her Stars balance and her saved gift card move with her account, so nothing is lost.
Key dates to watch
- Oct. 29, 2026: Fiscal Q4 and full-year 2026 results, with a call at 1:15 p.m. Pacific. Watch for U.S. same-store sales, closure costs and plans for the small format.
- Holiday season: Red-cup season is one of Starbucks’ busiest stretches. It will show whether the turnaround is bringing people back into cafés.
- Union talks: More than 700 U.S. stores have voted to unionize since late 2021, AP reported. There is still no labor contract.
Who is involved and who decides
| Who | Role |
|---|---|
| Brian Niccol | Chairman and CEO; leads the “Back to Starbucks” plan |
| Mike Grams | Chief operating officer; announced the 250 closures |
| Starbucks Workers United | Union representing workers at unionized stores |
| Shareholders | Will judge the plan on the Oct. 29 earnings |
Also read: Why Crumbl Cookies is closing stores in 2026.
FAQ
Is Starbucks closing all its stores?
No. It is closing about 250 North American stores in its latest round, roughly 1% of more than 18,000 locations there. It says it still plans to grow its store count.
Why is Starbucks closing stores?
The company says the stores either were not making acceptable money or could not deliver the café experience it wants. It is moving that money into renovations, smaller cafés and new stores in better spots.
Which Starbucks stores are closing?
Starbucks has not published a list. The easiest check is the store finder in the Starbucks app. Local news outlets have also reported closures in their areas.
What are the new small Starbucks stores?
They are compact cafés with seating, a bakery case and an espresso bar, using a “folded bar” counter. CNN reported six were open as of early October 2026, including in San Antonio and Manhattan.
When does Starbucks report earnings?
Fiscal fourth-quarter and full-year 2026 results come out after the market closes on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026.
Bottom line
Starbucks is getting smaller in some places and bigger in others. It is closing about 250 weak North American stores, fixing up roughly 1,500 more, and betting that tiny cafés with real seats can work in costly city spots. The Oct. 29 earnings report is the next real test. For customers, little changes: your app, Stars and gift cards still work at any store.
Last reviewed: Oct. 26, 2026
Sources: Associated Press via PBS NewsHour, CNN, CNN (pickup stores, July 2025), Starbucks Investor Relations, Hoodline, WKRC Local 12.
