Starbucks To Close A Dozen San Diego County Stores As Part Of Nationwide Restructuring

Starbucks is shuttering at least 12 locations across San Diego County as part of a sweeping turnaround plan aimed at cutting underperforming stores in North America. The closures come as the coffee giant grapples with declining sales, increased competition, and efforts to refocus its brand under CEO Brian Niccol.

The affected San Diego County locations include:
Genesee Plaza
  • Convoy Street and Raytheon Road
  • Bernardo Center Drive
  • Carlsbad Boulevard and Grand Avenue
  • Pomerado Road and Twin Peaks in Poway
  • Aviary Drive and Scripps Ranch Boulevard
  • Mira Mesa Boulevard and Camino Santa Fe
  • Main Street and Magnolia Avenue in El Cajon
  • Santee Trolley Stop
  • Bonita Road and I-805 in Chula Vista
  • Garnet Avenue and Mission Bay Drive in Pacific Beach
  • Laurel Street and Fifth Avenue in Bankers Hill
The company has not released a full official list but multiple outlets confirmed the closures through store calls and online listings. Over the weekend, some locations were already seen cleaning out equipment and posting farewell messages to customers.

In a statement, Niccol said the closures are targeted at “coffeehouses where we’re unable to create the physical environment our customers and partners expect, or where we don’t see a path to financial performance.” The move is part of a broader plan that includes closing about 400 stores across the U.S. and Canada, eliminating roughly 900 corporate jobs, and streamlining operations.

While the closures may sting loyal customers, Starbucks emphasized it is still investing heavily in the future. The company plans to renovate more than 1,000 existing stores in the next year with warmer interiors and more seating, and continues to open new locations in higher-performing markets. Niccol, who joined Starbucks in 2024 after leading turnarounds at Taco Bell and Chipotle, has pledged to bring back the chain’s identity as a “third place” between home and work.

For San Diego, the closures represent both the shifting retail landscape and Starbucks’ recalibration after decades of relentless expansion. Even as some neighborhood fixtures disappear, the company says it expects to end the year with nearly 18,300 locations in North America.

Originally published on September 28, 2025.