Starbucks gates shut! How to know if your coffee store visit won't meet with a surprise in North America

Planning a trip to Starbucks in North America? Check before you go as the global coffee store operator is set to shut about 250 North American locations in its hunt for a turnaround.

Starbucks will close hundreds of these locations as the coffee chain continues to cut down store footprint as part of its restructuring effort.

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But how will you know if the Starbucks store in North America you're planning to go is open or shut?

Starbucks has yet to release the list of locations in North America that will be shut down. However, starting this weekend, customers may see signs at the stores and the Starbucks app will also reflect the changes.

Closure of Starbucks in 250 North America locations are projected to cost $300 million, of which about $200 million will be due to terminating leases in advance and severance benefits, according to a regulatory filing.

Also Read: A $1 million Starbucks agreement in Florida puts its hiring & workplace diversity policies under fresh scrutiny

What's wrong with Starbucks stores that will be shut?

Starbucks has 18,000-store North American footprint but is now going to shut 250 locations as they either did not offer the customer and staff experience the global coffee chain behemoth demands or are not viable on the financial front, the company said in a statement.

A year ago, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol had announced similar shutdowns when he also announced layoffs as part of a $1 bn restructuring push. Starbucks has been renovating cafes and also made menu simpler in North America, CNN reported.

Starbucks has also been making efforts to boost business and return to growth.

"We remain excited about the significant long-term growth opportunity ahead in North America," Chief Operating Officer Mike Grams said in a letter to employees.

Starbucks stores open and shut case

However, Grams said Starbucks is working on a pipeline of new stores and is committed to growth.

Starbucks may open about 440 new locations across the world in this fiscal fiscal year, which nonetheless is lower than previous aim of 600 to 650 openings, CNN reported.