**Starbucks to Open Hundreds of New Stores Across the U.S.**
Starbucks has announced plans to significantly expand its U.S. retail footprint, with hundreds of new store openings and increased seating capacity at existing locations.
The company shared its expansion strategy during a recent investor presentation. This new direction follows last year’s announcement of the closure of underperforming stores. In 2026 alone, Starbucks aims to open up to 175 new coffee shops in the United States and is targeting approximately 400 new stores in 2028. Many of these will be smaller-format locations, which are estimated to be 20% less expensive to build.
Starbucks reported that in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, it achieved same-store sales growth in the U.S. and in all major international markets.
“Even with our scale, the U.S. coffeehouse growth opportunity for Starbucks is big and broad,” said Mike Grams, Chief Operating Officer of Starbucks. “In fiscal 2028, we expect to ramp to build about 400 net-new coffeehouses across our U.S. company-operated business—with discipline and purpose.”
In other industry news, nominations are now open for Connect CRE’s annual recognition of Commercial Real Estate’s leading investment sales and leasing brokers. For the ninth consecutive year, the platform will honor the top-performing professionals based on achievements from the past year.
To submit a nomination, visit Connect CRE’s website.
