Starbucks announced big news on Wednesday - that it would be closing up to 400 of their "company-owned" locations over the next 18 months in North America - while also speeding up the expansion of "convenience-led formats", such as curbside pick-up, Drive-Thru, and mobile-only pickup locations - no doubt in response to the changes retailers and food service businesses have had to make over the last few months due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
While the company will close up to 400 locations, it says it is still planning to open 300 new stores this year at the same time in different locations. That is, however, down from its original goal of opening 600 new stores.
The chain did not reveal which 400 locations would be closing, nor did it disclose where the up to 300 new locations will be. They did announce though, that of the 400 that are closing in North America, about 200 are located in Canada.
Starbucks has utilized drive-thru service and mobile orders in the past, but they say customers will soon be able to "utilize curbside pickup" as well at more locations, with designated parking spots when they arrive at the store.