Starbucks is closing about 250 locations across North America by the end of this week, the company announced Thursday, Sept. 24.
In a public letter, Starbucks Chief Operating Officer Mike Grams said the Seattle-based coffee company closes locations each year. The latest closures represent about 1% of Starbucks' more than 18,000 coffeehouses across North America.
Grams said most locations are thriving as the company continues to implement its Back to Starbucks strategy, but some are underperforming "despite the hard work and commitment of all of you."
"We're making this decision for a simple reason: We want every Starbucks coffeehouse to be a place customers love and partners are proud to work," Grams wrote.
Which Starbucks locations are closing?
Starbucks has not released a list of the
approximately 250 locations closing this week.
In the Rochester, New York, area, closures include the Starbucks at Twelve Corners in Brighton and a coffeehouse on South Main Street in Fairport, which opened a newly built 2,500-square-foot cafe last year.
Signs announcing the closures have been posted at the Brighton and Fairport locations.
"We know this may be hard to hear — because this isn't just any store. It's your coffeehouse, a place woven into your daily rhythm, where memories are made and meaningful connections with our partners grew," a letter to customers at the closing locations said.
When are the Starbucks locations closing?
Starbucks did not provide a specific closure date for the affected locations.
The stores will close "later this week," according to Grams' letter and notices posted at closing locations.
What will happen to Starbucks employees?
Employees at closing locations will be offered opportunities to transfer to other Starbucks stores, Grams said. Workers who are unable to transfer will receive severance support, although the company did not provide details about the severance packages.
Starbucks Workers United responds to closures
Starbucks Workers United, the union representing Starbucks employees, told USA TODAY that 20 unionized coffeehouses will be affected by the closures.
"Workers United is sending a formal request for information to Starbucks about the planned closures," the union said in an email to USA TODAY. "We expect to engage in effects bargaining for every impacted union store, as we have done elsewhere, so workers can be placed in another Starbucks store according to their preferences."
The union also said the closures underscore the need for workers to have union representation.
How many Starbucks locations are in New York?
There are approximately 720 Starbucks locations across New York state, according to ScrapeHero.com.
To find a Starbucks location near you, visit the Starbucks store locator.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Starbucks to close about 250 stores. Some NY locations already announced
