Starbucks’ internal memo reveals 250 North American stores are shutting down this week: Why is the coffee giant closing locations as sales and earnings forecasts rise?

Starbucks plans to close 250 North American coffeehouses this week, trimming roughly 1% of its 18,000 locations across the continent. The decision marks the second major wave of store shutdowns under Chief Executive Officer Brian Niccol, who took over leadership in 2024. During a similar restructuring last September, the company shuttered 627 stores across North America and Europe while cutting 900 non-retail jobs.