Will your local Starbucks close? Coffee giant says it will close 400 stores but expanding pickup

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: USA TODAY

Will your local Starbucks close? Coffee giant says it will close 400 stores but expanding pickup options
Kelly Tyko
USA TODAY

Starbucks will close up to 400 company-owned locations over the next 18 months while also speeding up the expansion of "convenience-led formats" such as curbside pickup, Drive-Thru and mobile-only pickup locations.

The Seattle-based coffee giant says the moves are being driven by changing consumer behaviors that have shifted because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In mid-March, the company closed locations and moved to a "to go" model at other stores.

“As we navigate through the COVID-19 crisis, we are accelerating our store transformation plans to address the realities of the current situation, while still providing a safe, familiar and convenient experience for our customers," Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson said in a news release Wednesday.

{snip}

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2020/06/10/coronavirus-starbucks-closing-stores-expanding-mobile-only-options/5332786002/

[cayugafalls]

1. StarBurnt...lol

I did like their espresso roast though, once upon a time. Only if I had whole bean and ground it myself and then used a pour over method to make the coffee.

I still use the pour over method to brew a cup of coffee, it seems to be the best flavor for me.

[lagomorph777]

12. I never could drink their ashtray residue.

Even their "blonde" roasts are ruined by all the tar from the incinerators.

[catrose]

2. Is Zoom the new Starbucks?

I never heard anyone say, "Yum, Starbucks coffee!" It was a co-working site that cost the price of a cup of coffee (with your choice of number of adjectives) to use their Wi-Fi, AC outlets, and tables.

[George II]

3. I've been to Starbucks twice in my life, both times to meet someone who likes Starbucks....

Didn't buy anything either time.

Just not my cup of tea, er...um...coffee.

[Rorey]

4. Another question: Will I notice?

I won't be happy about any closings because it means people will be out of work, but I won't be personally affected about a store closing. I prefer my own coffee, made in my own kitchen, and a big bonus is that I can make it at fraction of the price.

[onetexan]

11. Make that 2. My Keurig, large coffee maker & french press give me quite a variety at home

Not to mention the myriads of flavored coffees, syrups, & recipes to make a tantalizing brew, hot or cold. I can even make frappes at home - my son says mine is better than Starbucks or McD's. Money saved from all the high priced "tall" cups we put toward a nice yearly vacation.

[Rorey]

13. I'm almost embarrassed about how many coffee making devices I have

I really only use my Keurig with a refillable pod thing, but I feel it's important to have spare coffee makers/devices in case something happens. I even have a cute little coffee maker in it's own little case for travel. Hopefully I'll get to use it one of these days if I live long enough for this pandemic to be over.

Also, if/when something happens to me, my kids are going to shake their heads about how many coffee mugs I have. I've been refinishing my kitchen cabinets for the past week and a half, and I'm starting to think it might be time to purge a few things, but I don't think I'll want to get rid of any of my mugs. Some were gifts, but most were from shopping "therapy" at TJ Maxx or Tuesday Morning. No two are alike. I guess I'm kind of quirky or something.

[onetexan]

14. LOL completely understand, you're a true coffee connoisseur

My son gave us the Keurig several years ago for xmas knowing how much i love coffee, though i've had to limit to 2 cups per day due to high BP (it's under control). I do half-caf (i mix full caf w/ decaf) and that works just fine w/ the reusable K-cup. I also purchase flavored kcups for the hubby & guests. Aldi has great coffee including the disposable K-cups variety. HEB does too.
The french press is my favorite since to me it makes the most flavorful brew. A cup anytime of the day is a great picker upper, and with me up at wee hours of the morning a good cup of java is a must I also have lots of coffee paraphernalia, like a rock that says "No coffee no workie" & socks that say "I love you a latte"

[Rorey]

15. A cardiologist told me to stop drinking coffee

It was about 15 years ago. I knew that wasn't happening, but I have cut way back over the years because I wasn't sleeping. Up until a few months ago I was drinking just two cups a day, but now I often have a third. I check my blood pressure twice a day now because when I went to the ER this past weekend it was high. I guess it was just the stress of being in the ER, because it's been fine.

My son gave me my first Keurig too, as a birthday present. It lasted about three years, and then I bought myself another. I used to buy the k-cups for guests, but I guess i won't be having any for awhile with this pandemic.

I've been doing a mini-remodel on my kitchen, and am thinking about doing a coffee decor. I saw some "No Coffee No Workie" wall hangings online so I may get one. Honestly, I'm not much of a decorator. I don't like to dust, so I like to keep things simple.

[onetexan]

18. Great idea re: coffee-themed dwallpaper, you should find plenty i'm sure

Hubby & i were thinking to put in a built-in coffee bar (or station as some call it) when we build our retirement home. All the rage these days but i'm leaning towards the practicality of having all my coffee gadgets & stuff all in one place, complete w/ a hanging mug rack, silverware drawer and enough shelving for all the bottles of coffee flavorings, creams, etc. I found this page w/ great ideas for a do-it-yourself coffee bar. Enjoy!

https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/coffee-bar-ideas/

[IronLionZion]

5. Already did close

rent is expensive in the city. Of course there are plenty of other options nearby.

Ordering coffee for pickup seems a bit pointless for me since I can make excellent coffee at home. I make pitchers of cold brew overnight to store in my fridge. Starbucks had the edge on nitrogen, but more competitors are offering that now.

[Sherman A1]

6. More jobs lost

Sorry to see this happening

[marble falls]

7. I wouldn't know if it did. We have local roaster/brewers that do it right cheaper and with a smile.

Their employees seem a lot happier and they seem to stay at a place longer which is a good sign they're being treated right.

Right now its all take out service but we've had really good weather for out here in Hell Texas, so sitting outside under the Live Oaks has been nice.

We can survive until Covid is under control.

[Polybius]

8. How?

They're always busy, especially with Gen Z and Millennials.

[Wellstone ruled]

9. Not surprised,

after two decades in this industry,the need for realignment of their Stores was five years over due. Yes they will close stores,but,new ones will open in higher traffic areas.

It is all about bodies in the door as well as Sales Slip averages. BTW,Keurig (Green Mountain) is making Starbucks tons of profit. As a former Jobber,another major profit center for Starbucks/Seattle Best is the Office Coffee Service Companies..

[elleng]

10. Looks like 'mine,' small outlet, DC ex-urb, staying open;

did modified pick-up, now expanding back a bit 'slowly,' as an employee told me an hour ago.

[LisaM]

16. I don't go to Starbucks very often, but when I do, it's usually to meet people for a break.

Once in a while, we'll pick it up on the road (I'm not a huge fan of their coffee, like most here, though I do like a Peppermint Mocha once or twice during the holidays - theirs are good, and hot enough, unlike other places that make them).

Anyway, the whole point of going to a coffee shop is going to a coffee shop. It's unbelievable to me that this model has shifted so quickly. The whole point of the coffee shop culture was to be like the coffee shops in Europe; it was supposed to be a social thing.

I get that COVID has an effect on things at the moment, but are we going to turn into a culture with little to no social interaction? UGH, I can't imagine anything worse. I hate being forced into this (pandemic aside).

[Ron Obvious]

17. I've never really understood their success to be honest

I'm not much of a coffee drinker anyway (I prefer tea), but I'll drink it from time to time. I don't know, but is their coffee really so superior that's it's worth paying so much for it? Good coffee is easy to make it home, and going to the drive-through seems a hassle to me. Still, I know people who spent $10 a day there easily. OK, What's $10 a day? Well, it's $300 a month, $3600 a year, $36,000 in 10 years. Is it worth it?

The people I know who spent that kind of money on coffee could really do with a $300 monthly raise. Still, not my business to lecture them about it. I know better.

Imagine explaining the concept of drive-through coffee to your grandparents. They'd think you were nuts.

[OhZone]

19. I prefer WaWa coffee!

But maybe that's a NJ thang.

We also had a Barney's at the mall that Starbucks bought out.

It was cheaper, better, and more open and cheerful.

Wish they'd come back once the mall is reopened.

[LudwigPastorius]

20. I just love editors who make up a question as part of the headline of an article.

...a question that they know the article doesn't answer.

Internet clickbaitery has filtered up to the major media outlets. USA Today, you can do better. Don't be another garbage media company. Have some fucking standards, would ya?

[lapfog_1]

21. They could close 400 stores in the Bay Area alone

and nobody would even notice.

I know of at least 3 locations where there is literally a Starbucks directly across the street from another Starbucks.

In one location, there is a Starbucks literally in the same parking lot as another Starbucks! 400 feet between them.

One is a "standalone store" and the other is a full store (not kiosk) inside a Safeway.