You’ve probably seen the plywood. Maybe it was your favorite morning stop on the way to the office, or that weirdly small "pickup-only" window near the train station. One day it’s serving Oatmilk Lattes, and the next, there’s a "Permanently Closed" sign taped to the glass. Honestly, it’s been a bit of a whirlwind. If it feels like Starbucks is suddenly everywhere and nowhere at the same time, you aren't imagining things.
The company is currently in the middle of a massive identity crisis—or a "strategic recalibration," if you want the corporate version. Under the leadership of CEO Brian Niccol, who took the reins in August 2024, the coffee giant is aggressively pruning its massive list of locations. We aren't just talking about one or two underperforming stores in a mall basement. We are talking about hundreds of locations across North America being wiped off the map by the end of 2026.
But why? And more importantly, which ones are next?
The 2025-2026 Starbucks Store Closures Explained
Basically, Starbucks realized they got too fast for their own good. For a few years, they obsessed over "efficiency." They opened these tiny, seating-free "Starbucks Pickup" locations that felt more like a bank vault for caffeine than a coffee house. It turns out, people actually missed the chairs.
Niccol's "Back to Starbucks" plan is a literal U-turn. He wants the "Third Place" back—that cozy spot between home and work where you can actually sit down without feeling like you're in a factory assembly line. To do that, they are closing the stores that can't be "fixed." If a store is too small to add seating, or if the rent in a ghost-town downtown district is too high, it's gone.
The Numbers You Actually Care About
In fiscal year 2025, Starbucks saw its first net decline in store count in years. They ended the year with roughly 18,300 locations in the U.S. and Canada—a 1% drop from the year before. While 1% sounds tiny, it represents hundreds of individual communities losing their "Starbies." In the fourth quarter of 2025 alone, the company recorded over 100 net closures globally.
The List of Starbucks Closing: Regional Hotspots
While Starbucks doesn't always release a single, master "kill list" to the public, real-time data from 2025 and early 2026 shows clear patterns. If you live in a major metro area, you've likely been hit hardest.
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Washington State took a massive hit in late 2025. In September alone, over 30 locations in the Seattle and Greater Washington area shuttered. This included high-profile spots like the Capitol Hill Roastery in Seattle and locations in Bellevue, Redmond, and Tacoma. It’s a bit ironic for the brand’s hometown, but the company is consolidating in the Pacific Northwest to focus on larger, more profitable "Experience" stores.
California and New York are also seeing a "pruning." In New York City, dozens of smaller storefronts—specifically those cramped Manhattan spots with no room for a condiment bar—have been axed. Specifically, the "Pickup" locations at 40th & 8th (the one with Amazon Go) and 59th (Park & Lex) are part of the 90+ pickup-only stores being phased out or converted by 2026.
Recent Notable Closures by State (2025-2026)
- Alabama: Montgomery (Atlanta Hwy), Mobile (Airport Blvd), and Vestavia Hills (Rush St).
- Illinois: A heavy concentration of Chicago closures, specifically the downtown "Loop" stores like 131 S State St and 209 W Jackson Blvd.
- Texas: Houston saw multiple exits including locations on Smith St and Westheimer Road. Austin lost the University of Texas West Campus pickup store (though this one is slated for a "full cafe" conversion).
- Virginia: Major cuts in Arlington (Wilson Blvd) and Richmond (Arthur Ashe Blvd).
- Wisconsin: A surprising sweep in late 2025 took out stores in Madison, Rothschild, and Fox Point.
The Death of the "Pickup-Only" Concept
This is the big one. If you use the app to avoid talking to humans (we've all been there), your routine is changing. Starbucks is officially killing off its mobile-order-only format.
By the end of the 2026 fiscal year, all 96 of these "Pick Up" shops will either be closed or converted into traditional cafes. Why? Because they felt "transactional." Niccol famously said they lacked the "warmth and human connection" of the brand. In reality, they also weren't making enough money to justify the high urban rents when commuters aren't going into the office five days a week anymore.
What’s Replacing Them? The "Uplift" Program
It’s not all bad news. While some stores are dying, others are getting a $150,000 facelift.
Starbucks is "uplifting" 1,000 locations through 2026. This means more "texture"—think wood, plants, and softer lighting. They are literally bringing back the thousands of chairs they took away during the pandemic. If your local shop is still open, it might soon look less like a sterile lab and more like a library.
They are also testing a new "Lower-Cost Prototype" for 2026. These are standalone stores that cost 30% less to build but still have 32 seats and a drive-thru. It’s a leaner, meaner version of the classic Starbucks that’s easier to keep profitable in the current economy.
Is My Starbucks Next?
Probably not, unless you’re in a city center or using a tiny pickup window. Starbucks is actually planning to grow its total store count again in 2026, just with different kinds of stores. They are moving away from "density for density's sake."
If your store is on the list, the baristas usually get a week's notice. Most are offered transfers to nearby locations, though the company did cut about 900 corporate/non-retail jobs in late 2025 to balance the books.
Actionable Takeaways for the Caffeine Addicted
- Check the App: This is the most accurate way to see if a store is gone. If it disappears from your "Favorites," it’s likely part of the 2025-2026 closure wave.
- Look for the "Uplift": If your store gets a "Temporary Closure" for a week, it’s probably getting those new seats and "warm textures" rather than a permanent padlock.
- Prepare for Longer Walks: In cities like Chicago, DC, and Seattle, the "one on every corner" era is ending. You might have to walk two blocks instead of one.
- Watch the Drive-Thru: The company is prioritizing drive-thru efficiency over everything else. If your local store doesn't have a lane and is in a suburban area, it's at higher risk than the one with a 10-car queue.
The Starbucks of 2026 is trying to be your living room again. Whether they can actually pull that off while still charging $7 for a coffee is the billion-dollar question. For now, just make sure your "usual" spot hasn't turned into a boutique gym or a vacant lot.