Finally some coffee news that feels human again. Starbucks is returning to what it once did best. Not just making drinks, but creating a space where people actually want to be.
In a world that feels increasingly rushed and remote, Starbucks is bringing back the café as a place to meet, to think, to unwind. No app required.
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A New Type of Store That Feels Like the Old One
The company is launching a new standalone café format with seating for 32 people. A smaller 10 seat version is also opening soon in New York City. The new design costs less to build but offers more of what made Starbucks special in the first place.
These spaces are warm and local in character. They are designed to invite people in and make them want to stay. By the end of next year, one thousand stores will reflect this shift.
Comfortable Spaces With Personality
Gone are the cookie cutter layouts and uniform walls. The redesigned cafés will feature thoughtful seating, natural textures and local design influences. Each location will have its own character.
CEO Brian Niccol says the goal is simple. Every café should feel welcoming. Not just functional. Whether you want to sit and work or just sip quietly with a book, the space should support that.
And if you’re in the mood to recreate the Starbucks experience at home, there’s no better way than with a warm mug of something familiar. Try our cozy and indulgent Copycat Starbucks Tiramisu Latte Recipe, it brings the taste of café comfort right to your kitchen.
Moving Beyond the App Only Model
The mobile app is still part of the Starbucks experience but the company is moving away from stores that only serve digital orders. These app only cafés will be phased out by 2026.
Why? Because they are too transactional. Starbucks wants to bring back the human connection that defined its rise. A good seat. A warm smile. A real place to be.
And for those still loving iced drinks no matter the season, we’ve got you covered. Our refreshing Copycat Starbucks Iced Pumpkin Spice Masala Chai Latte Recipe and Copycat Starbucks Iced Pecan Crunch Oatmilk Latte offer everything you love, without the queue.
People Are Staying Longer and Returning More Often
Early signs suggest the shift is working. In stores that have already been redesigned, customers are staying longer. They are coming back more often. They are engaging with the space.
Niccol believes these cafés will not only deliver a better customer experience but also help Starbucks grow in new markets.
Expanding Globally With the Same Focus
While this transformation is happening in the United States, Starbucks is also growing abroad. It has just opened its first location in Iceland. It plans to open five hundred new stores in the Middle East. And it is selling a stake in its China business, which could be valued at five billion dollars.
At the same time, competition is rising from new beverage brands across Asia. Starbucks needs to stay relevant. And returning to real cafés might be the way to do that.
Why It Matters
For a while, coffee started to feel cold. Tap an app, grab a cup, leave. But Starbucks is betting that people want more than speed. They want something familiar and human.
They want a space that belongs to the neighborhood. A quiet table near a window. A place to talk. Or not talk. Just be.
This article is inspired by the original reporting in Forbes, which explored Starbucks’ new approach to café culture and community.
