Starbucks Rolls Out Chicago-Area Cafe Makeovers With Suburban Locations Part Of Major Expansion

Starbucks is redesigning hundreds of coffee shops across the Chicago area in an effort to make them more inviting for customers to sit down, relax, and spend time inside.

The effort follows similar upgrades in Southern California and New York City last year, which is all part of the “Back to Starbucks” initiative and a broader turnaround strategy launched by CEO Brian Niccol in 2024 to restore the brand’s identity as a “third place." As pickup and digital orders have become the norm, Starbucks is now trying to encourage customers to come in, sit down, and stay awhile by creating a more welcoming communal space, according to company officials.

In the Chicago area, the newest region where coffeehouses are being redesigned, more than 90 have been uplifted so far with nearly 200 expected to be finished by the end of September, Starbucks officials said in the past week.

“Chicago has played a meaningful role in Starbucks history for nearly four decades, and these coffeehouse uplifts reflect our continued investment in the communities and partners who make our coffeehouses neighborhood gathering places,” said Shanel Williams, vice president of regional operations at Starbucks.

Among the locations to receive upgrades is a Chicago store at Cicero Avenue and West Berteau Avenue. Since it debuted its redesign on Feb. 13, customers have been enjoying the change of scenery, company officials said.

Starbucks design director Stephenie Rychlik, who has lived in Chicago most of her life, said the goal is to make each coffeehouse reflect the character of its neighborhood.

“It’s been impactful to see how quickly it’s turning around,” she said. “I was in a store the other day, and these two girls walked in and said, ‘Oh, we should hang out here more often!’ Those are the kinds of comments we’re going for.”

Rychlik has been a designer at Starbucks for 18 years and said her role is constantly evolving.

“Our business needs are always changing, but what hasn’t changed is that we’re always trying to do it through our lens of humanity. We’re always trying to do the right thing by the customer,” she said. “And maybe we don’t get it right every single time. But this feels right. This feels really, really right. … We’re setting the stage for connections to happen.”

The updated stores feature softer seating, such as couches and lounge chairs, warmer color palettes and layered textures, neighborhood-inspired artwork and redesigned espresso bars, according to Starbucks officials. Layout changes are also aimed at improving flow for both in-store visitors and mobile order pickup customers.

Starbucks will also rollout its "green apron service," the Chicago Tribune is reporting.

“We’ll come bring that drink to you so that you don’t have to get back up,” Shanel Williams, regional vice president of operations for Starbucks, said. “You’re already seated, you’re comfortable in your chair.”

Starbucks officials said the following Chicago-area locations have already undergone upgrades:

• 40 West Lake Street (Leo Burnett)
• 500 West Madison Street (OTC)
• 233 South Wacker Drive (Willis Tower)
• 470 Merchandise Mart
• 414 North Orleans Street
• 1 East Delaware Place (Gold Coast)
• 633 North Saint Clair Street (Hyatt Hotel)
• 401 East Ontario Street
• 520 North Ogden Avenue (River West)
• 1701 West Division Street (Division & Paulina)
• 1900 West Montrose Avenue
• 3108 South Halsted Street
• 4558 North Kedzie Avenue (Albany Park)
• 4155 North Cicero Avenue (Cicero & Berteau)
• 5210 South Cicero Avenue (Cicero & Archer)
• 5614 North Harlem Avenue (Harlem & Bryn Mawr)
• 3840 Willow Road, Northbrook
• 675 Deerfield Road, Deerfield

In total, more than 1,000 Starbucks stores in the U.S. and Canada are slated for upgrades through the end of 2026.