Texas Border Business
Texas Border Business
Starbucks is preparing for a significant phase of domestic growth, with plans to open hundreds of new locations across the United States while enhancing the in-store experience with additional seating, according to the Associated Press.
The strategy was outlined during a recent investor presentation, in which the coffee giant said it expects to open as many as 175 new U.S. stores this year and projects roughly 400 additional openings by 2028 as it works to increase its national footprint.
Leadership signaled confidence in long-term demand for café spaces that encourage customers to gather, work, and socialize. While drive-thru and mobile ordering remain central to Starbucks’ business, the company is placing renewed emphasis on stores designed to function as community hubs.
The expansion includes smaller-format cafés that are estimated to cost about 20 percent less to build than traditional locations, the Associated Press reported. Despite their reduced size, the stores are expected to retain key features such as seating areas, drive-thru access, and mobile pickup capabilities.
Starbucks also plans to increase seating capacity across its existing portfolio, targeting approximately 25,000 additional seats in U.S. stores by the end of its fiscal year. The effort is already underway, with hundreds of locations updated and a modernization initiative scheduled to continue through 2028.
Executives see considerable room for future growth, noting the potential for thousands more cafés nationwide. Expansion efforts are expected to focus on the country’s central, southern, and northeastern regions, according to the report.
Alongside physical growth, Starbucks is pursuing operational improvements and menu innovation, including customizable energy drinks and updates to its loyalty program. The company reported its strongest U.S. quarterly sales performance in two years and anticipates continued gains in both revenue and same-store sales.
Source:Â The Associated Press, Jan. 29, 2026.
