Starbucks to Close 250 North American Stores in Strategic Adjustment
Starbucks is shutting down about 1 percent of its cafes across the US and Canada this week, signaling a shift in its business approach.
By Grace Whitfield · First published 24 Sept 2026
In brief
- Starbucks is closing about 250 underperforming stores across the US and Canada by the end of this week.
- These closures represent roughly 1 percent of Starbucks' 18,000 North American locations.
- The closures target stores that are financially unviable or fall short of customer and employee experience goals.
- Impacted employees are being offered transfers to other stores or severance packages.
- Starbucks has confirmed some specific locations in Colorado and British Columbia are among those closing.
Timeline · 6 moments
Starbucks announces closure of 250 North American stores
Breaking News on Seeking Alpha Business & Economy ↗Company confirms closures represent about 1 percent of cafes
CNBC ↗Internal memo sent to staff detailing closure plans
Business Insider ↗Leadership says closures will be completed by end of the week
Global News ↗Starbucks confirms store closures in Colorado and British Columbia
9News ↗Company clarifies focus on long-term viable locations
Global News ↗Update 26 Sept 2026, 4:41 pm UTC
Starbucks has started closing specific stores, with at least seven in Colorado and several in British Columbia confirmed this week. The company says closures are focused on locations that are underperforming financially or do not deliver the desired customer and employee experience.
Update 25 Sept 2026, 5:43 am UTC
Starbucks has confirmed the closures are part of a second major wave aimed at underperforming or non-compliant stores. The company reiterated that staff at affected stores will be offered transfers or severance, and the closures are happening within days.
How it started
Starbucks has been periodically reviewing its store portfolio as part of an ongoing strategy to refine its North American operations. In recent years, the company has closed underperforming locations to adjust to changing consumer habits and market conditions.
The latest round of closures comes under CEO Brian Niccol, who took over in 2024. Leadership has emphasized the importance of focusing resources on stores with stronger performance and potential for growth.
How it unfolded
On September 24, 2026, Starbucks announced it would close about 250 stores across North America. This amounts to roughly 1 percent of its cafes in the region, according to multiple business outlets.
A memo was sent to employees detailing the decision and explaining that the closures are part of a minor adjustment to the company's portfolio. The company described the move as difficult but necessary to strengthen its overall network.
The closures are expected to be completed by the end of this week. Leadership has stated that staff at affected locations will have opportunities to transfer to other stores or receive severance support.
This marks the second major round of store closures since Brian Niccol became CEO in 2024. The company has not yet published a detailed list of which locations will be affected.
Where it stands
As of now, Starbucks is moving forward with closing the identified 250 stores, with most closures happening quickly. Staff are being notified and offered support options.
The company has not specified which particular cafes will close, leaving many employees and customers waiting for more details. Starbucks says the closures are part of its strategy to streamline operations and focus on higher-performing locations.
What to watch
The main question is which specific stores will be impacted, as Starbucks has yet to release a comprehensive list. Many customers and employees are awaiting further announcements. The company's next steps will likely include more information on how it plans to support affected staff and shift resources to remaining stores.
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