400 Starbucks Could Close In U.S., Including In Walnut Creek

WALNUT CREEK, CA — Starbucks will consider closing up to 400 locations over the next 18 months as it looks to focus on quick pickup options such as drive-thrus, and curbside and mobile-only pickup stores, as USA Today reported.

There are multiple Starbucks stores in Walnut Creek:

• 710 Bancroft Rd, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 (inside Safeway)
• 716 Bancroft Rd, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
• 103 Broadway Ln, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (temporarily closed)
• 1146 Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (temporarily closed)
• 1320 Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (inside Macy's)
• 600 S Broadway, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (inside Safeway)
• 1663 N California Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
• 1340 S Main St, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
• 1871 N Main St, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (inside Target)
• 2922 N Main St, Walnut Creek, CA 94597
• 1601 Mt Diablo Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
• 1500 Newell Ave, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
• 1544 Palos Verdes Mall Suite 44, Walnut Creek, CA 94597
• 7000 Sunne Ln #116, Walnut Creek, CA 94597
• 1980-C, Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94595
• 2856 Ygnacio Valley Rd, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 (inside Safeway)

Starbucks plans to open 300 quick pickup locations during its fiscal year, half of the 600 locations it previously planned to open, USA Today reported.

Some 80 percent of Starbucks transactions were on-the-go prior to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Starbucks said in a statement. Opening more pickup stores will make it easier to maintain social distancing.

"As we navigate through the COVID-19 crisis, we are accelerating our store transformation plans to address the realities of the current situation, while still providing a safe, familiar and convenient experience for our customers," Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson said in the statement.

Customers can expect to see pickup-only stores in dense, urban areas, Starbucks said. Starbucks opened its first such location in New York City's Penn Plaza last fall and will soon open another near Grand Central Terminal.

Starbucks has long had drive-thru locations, but stores in less densely populated areas may see double-lane drive-thrus and curbside pickup options in the future.

Read more at USA Today.

— Patch editors Courtney Teague and Bea Karnes contributed to this story