(NEXSTAR) – Starbucks is planning to phase out all of its “Pick Up” locations in 2026, CEO Brian Niccol announced in the company’s latest earnings call.
“We found this format to be overly transactional and lacking the warmth and human connection that defines our brand,” Niccol said of the stores, which aimed to simplify mobile to-go orders. “We have a strong digital offering and believe we can deliver the same level of convenience through our community coffeehouses with a superior Mobile Order and Pay experience.”
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The “Pick Up” locations debuted in 2019, the first being at Penn Station in New York City. Customers were instructed at the time to order via the Starbucks app before arriving at their nearest Pick Up location.
“Once the status board updates to Ready, grab your items and enjoy,” Starbucks says.
A Starbucks’ “Pick Up” signage is pictured at a location in San Francisco in February 2025. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
There are currently over 90 locations in 23 states, according to the official Starbucks website. A representative for Starbucks confirmed that some will be converted to more traditional Starbucks locations, with seats, while others will close.
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Pick Up locations currently operate in the following states:
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Georgia
Hawaii
Florida
Illinois
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Washington
The specific locations of each Pick Up location are available at Starbucks’ website.
Mobile-ordering, meanwhile, is currently available at most Starbucks locations, and remains key to Starbucks’ agenda, accounting for 31% of transactions, a representative said.
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During Thursday’s earnings call, Niccol also repeatedly touted improvements to mobile-ordering, saying repeatedly that the company had brought “order to mobile-ordering” during his time as CEO.
Further enhancements to the process are planned for 2026, a representative for Starbucks told Nexstar.
