Starbucks to Close Morebr Than 400 US Stores On Wednesday, Starbucks confirmed thatbr they would be permanently transitioning tobr more socially-distant store models. The coffee giant plans to transition abr large number of stores to pick-up onlybr locations, specifically in major cities. In suburban areas, Starbucksbr plans to rely more heavily onbr drive-thrus, walk-up windowsbr and curbside pick-up options. Starbucks plans to shutter more thanbr 400 company-owned locations inbr the United States over the next br 18 months to implement these changes. The store modifications were alreadybr meant to take place in the next three to five yearsbr but were accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson, br these changes will help provide abr “safe, familiar and convenient experience.