400 Starbucks Could Close In U.S., Including San Ramon

SAN RAMON, CA — Starbucks will consider closing up to 400 locations over the next 18 months as it looks to focus on quick pickup options such as drive-thrus, and curbside and mobile-only pickup stores, as USA Today reported.

There are Starbucks stores in San Ramon at 2005 Crow Canyon Place, 3110 Crow Canyon Place, 500 The Marketplace and 2435 San Ramon Valley Blvd. There are also locations inside City Center Bishop Ranch (6000 Bollinger Canyon Road), Safeway (11060 Bollinger Canyon Road), Target (2610 Bishop Dr.) and the Chevron headquarters (6001 Bollinger Canyon Road).

Starbucks plans to open 300 quick pickup locations during its fiscal year, half of the 600 locations it previously planned to open, USA Today reported.

Some 80 percent of Starbucks transactions were on-the-go prior to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Starbucks said in a statement. Opening more pickup stores will make it easier to maintain social distancing.

“As we navigate through the COVID-19 crisis, we are accelerating our store transformation plans to address the realities of the current situation, while still providing a safe, familiar and convenient experience for our customers," Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson said in the statement.

Customers can expect to see pickup-only stores in dense, urban areas, Starbucks said. Starbucks opened its first such location in New York City's Penn Plaza last fall and will soon open another near Grand Central Terminal.

Starbucks has long had drive-thru locations, but stores in less densely populated areas may see double-lane drive-thrus and curbside pickup options in the future.

Read more at USA Today.