Starbucks to give makeovers to 1,000 cafes by end of 2026
Starbucks Corp. is looking to make its U.S. locations more cozy and inviting.
The coffee giant said it is making over its cafes to create physically welcoming spaces that bring back familiar touches such as generous seating and designs reflecting the local community. Some locations in New York City and Southern California have already been given the makeover. By the end of 2026, some 1,000 coffeehouses will have been refreshed, with more to come in the years ahead.
Speaking on the company’s recent earnings call, CEO Brian Niccol said that Starbucks has slowed new builds and major renovations in order to prioritize the new “uplift” program. The company plans to invest approximately $150,000 per store, with the refresh having minimal to no downtime.
“Every coffeehouse we operate should be warm and welcoming and provide a place for customers to connect and gather,” Niccol told analysts. “They should have a great seat for any occasion and they should provide customers access to a high-quality mobile order and pay experience and a drive-thru where possible. The uplifts are intended to quickly replace thousands of seats we removed and introduce greater texture, warmth and layered design.”
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(Images courtesy of Starbucks) -
(Images courtesy of Starbucks) -
(Images courtesy of Starbucks) -
(Images courtesy of Starbucks)
In recent years, Starbucks has prioritized its digital experience to the detriment, some argued, of its in-store experience. Niccol has focused on restoring the company’s signature “third place” vibe since he took the reins of the chain in September 2024.
“We’re refocusing on what has always set Starbucks apart — a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather, and where we serve the finest coffee, handcrafted by our skilled baristas,” he said last year.
The refreshed cafes won’t all look the same as some of the changes will vary based on store size and locale. But every touch in the madeover cafes has been planned to help create community and make customers feel warm, comfortable and cared for, the company said.
Early results from Starbucks refreshed cafes in New York City and Southern California are already showing promise, according to a post on Starbucks website. Customers are staying longer, visiting more often and sharing positive feedback.
In other changes, Starbucks plans to sunset its mobile order-and-pickup-only concept in fiscal 2026. Niccol said he found this format to be overly transactional and lacking the warmth and human connection that defines the Starbucks brand.
New Prototype
Starbucks has also begun work on the coffeehouse of the future. It has a new standalone prototype that will open in fiscal 2026 that has 32 seats, a drive-thru and a roughly 30% lower cost to build. A small format version with approximately 10 seats is under construction in New York City and will open in the next few months.
“We believe this new prototype will deliver an exceptional customer experience, improve unit economics and unlock growth opportunities in more markets,” Niccol said on the July call.
In other changes, Starbucks plans to sunset its mobile order-and-pickup-only concept in fiscal 2026. Niccol said he found this format to be overly transactional and lacking the warmth and human connection that defines our brand.
