Starbucks to close 250 locations by the end of this week

Starbucks to close 250 locations by the end of this week.

Key points

• The new Starbucks Snoopy Glass Cold Cup, inspired by "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, " has fans lining up before sunrise.
• Starbucks is closing regarding 250 locations throughout North America by the end of this week, the firm unveiled on Thursday, Sept.
• Starbucks Workers United, the labor union that represents Starbucks employees, informed USA TODAY via email that 20 unionized coffeeshops will be impacted by the closures.
• Starbucks did not provide a list of the approximately 250 locations closing this week.
• Workers United is sending a formal request for information to Starbucks regarding the planned closures.

Starbucks to close 250 locations by the end of this week. Greta Cross USA TODAY. Starbucks' Snoopy cup sparks early-morning lines.

For context, the new Starbucks Snoopy Glass Cold Cup, inspired by "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, " has fans lining up before sunrise.

Starbucks is closing regarding 250 locations throughout North America by the end of this week, the firm unveiled on Thursday, Sept. 24.

In a public letter, Starbucks Chief Operating Officer Mike Grams remarked the coffee chain closes locations each year, and this week's closures represent concerning 1% of Starbucks' more than 18, 000 North America coffeeshops.

In 2024, Brian Niccol, at the time the company's new CEO, introduced the Back to Starbucks strategy with the aim to introduce customer-favorite amenities, including free refills on drinks enjoyed in coffeeshops, the return of the condiment bar, an improved code of conduct and a simplified menu.

In his letter, Grams remarked that while most locations are thriving as they integrate the Back to Starbucks strategy, some are underperforming, "despite the hard work and commitment of all of you."

"We're making this decision for a simple reason: We want every Starbucks coffeehouse to be a place customers love and partners are proud to work, " Grams wrote in his letter. Here's what we know so far. Food: Halloween is coming to Starbucks. See the new treats, merch. What Starbucks locations are closing?

Starbucks did not provide a list of the approximately 250 locations closing this week. USA TODAY reached out to Starbucks for more information on Sept. 24. Starbucks Workers Union speaks on closures.

"Workers United is sending a formal request for information to Starbucks regarding the planned closures. As we have done elsewhere, so workers can be placed in another Starbucks store according to their preferences, " the union informed USA TODAY, we expect to engage in effects bargaining for every impacted union store. "It has never been more clear why baristas need the backing of a union. We love our jobs, and we know Starbucks doesn't run without us, so we're organizing together to demand a better future and a fair contract." When are the Starbucks locations closing?

Starbucks did not provide a specific closure date for the locations. The stores will close "later this week, " Grams' letter notes. What will happen to the employees at the closing locations?

In his letter, Grams remarked employees will be offered transfer opportunities to other locations. For those who are unable to transfer, severance backing will be provided. The chain did not provide details on the severance package.

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at [email protected]. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

In short, starbucks to close 250 locations by the end of this week is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.