Walk into any major city and you'll probably trip over a green umbrella before you find a mailbox. It feels like they're everywhere. But if you actually look at the numbers for starbucks how many stores currently exist, the story isn't just about "more, more, more" anymore.
Honestly, it’s getting a bit complicated.
As we roll through early 2026, the giant in the green apron is sitting at 40,990 stores globally. That’s the official count from their most recent fiscal wrap-up. For the data nerds, that’s split between about 21,514 company-operated spots and 19,476 licensed locations. But here’s the kicker: for the first time in a long time, the number isn't just a straight line up.
The Great 2025 "Portfolio Reset"
You might have noticed a local spot closing down lately. You aren't imagining things. Under the leadership of CEO Brian Niccol—the guy they poached from Chipotle to fix the vibes—Starbucks actually closed about 627 stores at the end of 2025.
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Most of those were in North America.
Why? Basically, they realized they had too many stores "cannibalizing" each other. If you have three Starbucks on one block, they just steal each other's customers while paying triple the rent. Niccol’s "Back to Starbucks" strategy is less about world domination and more about making sure the stores that do exist don't feel like a chaotic warehouse for mobile orders.
Where are all these stores, exactly?
If you’re trying to visualize the footprint, think of it as a two-headed dragon. The U.S. and China alone make up about 61% of the entire global portfolio.
- United States: 16,864 stores.
- China: 8,011 stores.
- The Rest of the World: Roughly 16,000 spread across 87 other countries.
It’s a massive gap. In the U.S., the strategy has shifted toward what they call "Green Apron" service. They’re bringing back the condiment bars (finally) and trying to get service times under four minutes. In China, things are way sweatier. They’re currently getting hammered by a local competitor called Luckin Coffee, which has over 26,000 locations. That’s why Starbucks recently made the massive move to sell off a 60% stake in its China business. They’re still there, but they’re essentially letting local partners handle the heavy lifting while they focus on the "brand experience."
Licensed vs. Company-Owned: The Hidden Difference
Most people think every Starbucks is the same. It’s not.
If you’re at a standalone shop with a drive-thru, it’s probably company-operated. If you’re inside a Target, an airport, or a Safeway, it’s a licensed store. This matters because the "licensed" side of the house has been growing much faster. Out of those 40,990 stores, nearly half are licensed now.
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It’s a cheaper way for them to grow. They provide the beans and the branding, but someone else pays the electricity bill and manages the baristas.
Why the store count is a "Lagging Indicator"
Looking at starbucks how many stores are open is sorta like looking at a photo of a moving car. It tells you where it was, not where it’s going. Right now, the company is prioritizing renovations over new builds.
They’ve committed to remodeling 1,000 stores by the end of 2026.
They’re trying to move away from those tiny "pickup-only" kiosks that felt like a bank teller window. The new goal? Making the "Third Place" actually comfortable again. We’re talking more couches, more power outlets, and—believe it or not—ceramic mugs for people who actually want to sit down.
What This Means for You (and Your Coffee)
If you're a regular, the shrinking or "stagnating" store count is actually a good thing. The 2024-2025 era was rough for the brand; wait times were insane and the "vibe" was non-existent. By pruning the underperforming locations and focusing on the 40,000+ that remain, they’re trying to make sure you don't wait 15 minutes for a cold brew.
The "Back to Starbucks" plan is essentially an admission that they got too big, too fast, and too corporate.
Actionable Insights for the Starbucks Super-User:
- Check the "Store Features" in the app: Since they are renovating 1,000 stores, use the app to find "New Design" locations. These usually have better seating and revamped acoustics.
- Watch the "China Stake" news: If you're an investor, the store count in China is no longer the primary metric to watch. Look at the "Comparable Store Sales" (comps) instead.
- Expect fewer "Pickup Only" spots: If your local mobile-only shop closed, it's likely being replaced by a full-service café nearby. The company is betting that you'd rather walk an extra block for a real chair.
Starbucks isn't going anywhere, but the era of a new store opening every six hours is officially over. We’re in the era of "Better, Not Just Bigger."