What You Need to Know
Starbucks is returning to a classic coffeehouse feel so you can relax, gather and enjoy handcrafted coffee. CEO Brian Niccol announced the Back to Starbucks plan when he joined the company a year ago. The company already introduced Green Apron Service, ceramic cups for customers who stay, more power outlets and condiment bars. Now Starbucks is redesigning stores to feel warmer and more local. You will see cozier, softer seating restored, warmer colors, layered textures, plants and art that reflect each neighborhood. New espresso bars put the craft on display, and pickup risers plus clearer open spaces make it easier to grab an order if you use the app.
Starbucks will uplift more than 1,000 coffeehouses by the end of 2026 and build smaller locations that prioritize the lobby and seating, with the first opening late next year. Early pilots in New York and Southern California show people stay longer, visit more often and give positive feedback. Designers sat in the remodeled stores and asked what to keep, what fits the community and how to make each space feel familiar and useful, so the changes preserve what works while making places you want to use.
