Overview
- Starbucks is executing its 'Back to Starbucks' restructuring after six straight quarters of sales declines, eliminating about 900 administrative roles and shuttering more than 400 U.S. and Canadian locations.
- The North American footprint is set to contract by roughly 1% to about 18,300 stores as the company targets underperforming sites or formats that no longer meet experience or financial goals.
- Roughly 1,000 U.S. cafés are being remodeled and some pickup‑only stores are being converted to traditional cafés as the chain refocuses on a service‑led 'third place' model.
- Operational changes include a simplified menu reported at about a 30% reduction and expanded no‑sugar and higher‑protein options intended to speed service and better match demand.
- While trimming in the U.S. and Canada, Starbucks and licensee Alsea plan to surpass 1,000 stores in Mexico next year and open about 145 new locations across Latin America and the Caribbean under Greener Stores standards, as unions contest some closures and analysts cite weaker office traffic and price sensitivity.