Starbucks to Open 650 Stores in 2026, Prioritizes Drive-Through Exurbs
Starbucks closed roughly two dozen Manhattan stores and several in Brooklyn and Queens while opening its first drive-through location in Atoka, Tennessee. A study found drive-through outlets saw volume rise post-pandemic, prompting plans for about 650 new openings in 2026 and up to 10,000 additional US stores.
1. Exurban Expansion Strategy
Over the past several months, Starbucks closed roughly two dozen stores in Manhattan and several more across Brooklyn and Queens while opening its first exurban drive-through location in Atoka, Tennessee, where land permits large-scale parking and customer lanes.
2. Drive-Through Demand Shift
A study by University of Texas at El Paso found that drive-through stores recovered volume post-pandemic and saw a 25% increase in usage as customers shifted from in-store visits, while non-drive-through outlets experienced sustained demand decline.
3. Future Store Growth Plans
Starbucks opened approximately 70 new stores so far this year, plans about 650 new openings in 2026 and has signaled potential to expand by roughly 10,000 additional U.S. locations, focusing on suburban and exurban markets conducive to drive-through formats.