High inflation has something to do with it too: Starbucks, McDonald’s, Yum earnings show consumers pulling back (cnbc.com)
Covid era public health hysteria led to many working from home – as well as others avoiding restaurants, if they were even open. That has led to habit changes. Once you’ve gotten into the habit of making good coffee at home, why return to what is now an expensive treat in a store?
At Starbucks much if not most of their traffic is now drive-thru and mobile orders picked up at the countertop. That has led to redesigns of their stores to make them less friendly places to sit and drink coffee.
One local Starbucks near me has been re-modeled, removing half of the seating area, and enlarging a mobile pick-up counter. They removed furniture and other items that acted as sound absorbers – now, the store is uncomfortably loud, even though it has half the seating. I no longer visit the store. It just is not a fun, welcoming place. This is a huge management blooper – and the new CEO of Starbucks won’t last long if he does not get this done right.
