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(NEXSTAR) – Starbucks is set to gradually close all of its “Pick Up” locations by 2026, CEO Brian Niccol revealed during the company’s recent earnings presentation.
Niccol commented on these stores, which were introduced to streamline mobile orders, saying, “These locations tend to focus too much on transactions and miss the essence of warmth and personal interaction that is central to our brand. We offer a robust digital experience and believe our community coffeehouses can provide the same convenience with an enhanced Mobile Order and Pay option.”
The “Pick Up” concept launched in 2019, starting with a location at Penn Station in New York City. Customers could place orders through the Starbucks app before picking them up at the nearest Pick Up site.
“Once the status board updates to Ready, grab your items and enjoy,” Starbucks says.
With more than 90 locations across 23 states, as per the Starbucks official website, a spokesperson noted that some of these will transform into traditional Starbucks stores with seating, while others will shut down entirely.
Pick Up locations currently operate in the following states:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Florida
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington
In Florida, there are two “Pick Up” sites: one at Florida State University’s Azalea Hall and another in Miami located on Northeast 3rd Street and Biscayne Boulevard.
Other locations are available on Starbucks’ website.
While mobile ordering is already available at most Starbucks stores and plays a crucial role in the company’s strategy, contributing to 31% of transactions, according to a representative.
During Thursday’s earnings call, Niccol also repeatedly touted improvements to mobile-ordering, saying repeatedly that the company had brought “order to mobile-ordering” during his time as CEO.
Further enhancements to the process are planned for 2026, a representative for Starbucks told Nexstar.
