Starbucks to spend $150,000 per store to refresh about 1,000 stores across the U.S.
/Starbucks is slowing down major store renovations and development to redeploy about $150,000 per store in an effort to quickly upgrade about 1,000 stores across the U.S.
The program—underway already in the New York area and in Southern California—will be completed by the end of 2026. Most of these upgrades can be accomplished after store hours to avoid having to close stores down for construction.
The new minor renovations reverse Starbucks’ previous years’ decisions like removing seats in favor of mobile ordering for instore pickup and getting rid of outlets to discourage lingering. Seats with accessible electric outlets are being added as well as wood finishes, area rugs and warmer lighting. Brian Niccol said he plans to add back the 30,000 seats that Starbucks had removed from its cafes before he took over as the new CEO a year ago.
Dawn Clark, Starbucks senior vice president of coffeehouse design and concepts, said the new design is intended to encourage customers to stay longer, connect more and return often.