Starbucks Corp. announced Wednesday it will phase out its Pick Up-only store format by 2026, impacting several Houston locations including branches at City Centre, Hillcroft, Rosenberg, and terminals at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
The Pick Up stores, which serve only mobile and online orders and lack seating or restrooms, were designed to offer quick convenience but have drawn criticism for being overly transactional and impersonal.
During a recent earnings call, CEO Brian Niccol said the company plans to shift focus back to more traditional cafes that foster human connection. Some Pick Up locations will close outright, while others will be converted into regular Starbucks cafes.
Mobile ordering remains popular, accounting for nearly a third of Starbucks’ transactions, and will continue at all stores.
The company did not specify which Houston locations will close versus convert.