Starbucks is reclaiming the heart of the coffeehouse experience by bringing back familiar comforts like generous, soft seating and designs reflecting the local community. Starbucks is bringing that coffeehouse vibe back into its places as part of its Back to Starbucks plan, announced by Starbucks chairman and chief executive officer Brian Niccol.
“We’re refocusing on what has always set Starbucks apart — a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather, and where we serve the finest coffee, handcrafted by our skilled baristas,” Niccol said.
A big part of creating a welcoming coffeehouse is making it a place where people want to gather — a warm, cozy, comfortable environment. Think of it as a living room outside your home. Already this year, Starbucks has launched Green Apron Service to give customers a more personal experience, introduced ceramic cups for those who want to relax and stay awhile in the coffeehouses, provided more power outlets and brought back the condiment bars.
Next up is focusing on the design to create physically welcoming spaces that bring back
Starbucks Creates New Coffeehouse Designfamiliar comforts and are intentionally designed. Some coffeehouses have already been refreshed in places like New York City and Southern California. By the end of 2026, more than 1,000 coffeehouses will be uplifted, with plans for more in the years to come. Every touch in the redesigned coffeehouses has been planned around the idea of helping create community and making customers feel comfortable and cared for.
Teams are also taking a fresh perspective on new-build coffeehouses. This approach prioritizes the lobby and seating options while decreasing the overall footprint of the coffeehouse.
Starbucks Creates New Coffeehouse Design
