News Summary
Starbucks has announced that it will close over 20 locations across Massachusetts starting September 28 as part of its restructuring efforts. The company is reviewing its North American operations, resulting in store closures and the elimination of approximately 900 non-retail positions. Affected employees may transfer to nearby locations, but the total job loss number remains uncertain. Boston locations under the Golden Teapot and Harvard Square are among those impacted. Starbucks aims to adapt to changing consumer demands with these closures while maintaining strong community ties.
Massachusetts – Starbucks will close several stores across the U.S. and Canada starting September 28, impacting more than 20 locations in Massachusetts. The decision comes as part of the company’s ongoing restructuring efforts aimed at reviewing its North American coffeehouse portfolio.
Although an official list detailing the specific locations set to close has not yet been released, the Starbucks app will be updated by Sunday to reflect new store hours and any closures. CEO Brian Niccol has recognized that these closures will affect both partners and customers, reiterating the company’s commitment to providing a welcoming environment.
Employees at the stores affected by closures will be given the opportunity to transfer to nearby Starbucks locations where feasible; however, the total number of job losses resulting from the closures has not been clarified. In addition to store shutdowns, approximately 900 non-retail positions are also scheduled to be eliminated as part of these restructuring efforts.
The company’s initiative, dubbed the “Back to Starbucks” program, involved a comprehensive review of its coffeehouse operations. This evaluation led to the identification of underperforming locations that are no longer viable. Starbucks anticipates that, by the end of the fiscal year, its total store count will be about 1% lower than it was at the beginning of the fiscal year after factoring in both openings and closures. The company expects to operate approximately 18,300 shops by the end of the fiscal year, representing a reduction of around 430 locations compared to the total on June 29, 2025.
Visible closure signs have started appearing at certain locations, including a store under the Golden Teapot near Boston’s Government Center and another at Harvard Square. While some of these closures have taken observers by surprise, others were anticipated as Starbucks had flagged locations that either did not meet customer expectations or lacked a clear path to financial success.
In conjunction with these closures, a public Google sheet and a Reddit thread are currently gathering reports of unconfirmed closures, with over 200 entries listed as of September 25. Starbucks had previously signaled its intention to close between 80 to 90 “Pick Up” stores that were designed specifically for mobile orders, which further highlights its strategic shift in response to changing consumer demands.
As the company undergoes this restructuring, it remains focused on adapting its business model to better align with market conditions and consumer preferences. The closures are part of Starbucks’ broader strategy to streamline operations and enhance overall profitability.
With pending updates regarding specific store closures in Massachusetts, customers and employees alike are looking toward the company’s communications for further information about the changes. Starbucks is underlining its intention to minimize negative impacts on employees wherever possible, as it transitions through this challenging phase.
As the coffee giant prepares for these changes, the focus remains on maintaining strong community connections and ensuring that the experience offered to customers meets high standards, even amid the reduction of physical locations.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- CBS News: Massachusetts Starbucks Store Closures
- Google Search: Starbucks store closures
- ABC7: Starbucks Closing in Los Angeles
- Wikipedia: Starbucks
- USA Today: Starbucks Location Closures
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Starbucks Coffee Company
- Seattle Times: Starbucks Store Closures
- Google News: Starbucks closures
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BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
