Starbucks Closing 600 US Stores. How Well Do You Know the Numbers?

A Starbucks on Every — Er, Every Other Corner?

July 2, 2008

Perhaps it's a bad sign when your company's ubiquity becomes the butt of jokes; I particularly loved The Onion's suggestion that Starbucks would open a store in the bathroom of another Starbucks. So I wasn't surprised to read the news that the all-conquering coffee chain is closing 600 US stores.

Whether you're a Starbucks fan or a hater, I bet you know a thing or two about the company's crazy reputation for having a store on every corner — or maybe now it's every other corner? Take my Starbucks by the numbers quiz to find out.

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33 Comments

SugarFreak 4 years 45 weeks

I'm glad they are doing this. They used to be good, but the coffee quality has just gone down. I prefer Illy coffee.

JaimeLeah526 4 years 45 weeks

I hope they close the secondary ones and not the main ones. I hate that there is a starbucks at the mall, one in target and then the main one which is it's own building. No wonder they don't do well. All 3 of these are within 1/2 mile of each other.

Rancher'sGirl 4 years 46 weeks

For all that I have some issues with Starbucks and their uppity image, I definitely respect the company for providing medical insurance for their employees.

shopping42 4 years 46 weeks

I love starbuck's and have tried many other coffees but they for my money are the best-and another thing they treat their employees right-not many other co. do this- they may have higher prices but their employee's have medical insurance that is paid for-that is a reason for higher prices that I am willing to pay for!!

SATClover 4 years 46 weeks

Right down the block from the Starbucks (up until a month ago) AND in the hospital where I work there is a Higher Grounds where coffee is $1.00 if you bring your own mug. A dollar...I haven't bought coffee in that Starbucks in a really long time.

ilanac13 4 years 46 weeks

i guess i just don't know too much about the situation - just that i saw it on CNN yesterday and it's just a shame to hear about how things are happening. they were talking about how a lot of the stores that are closing haven't even been open for 3 years - that's really a shame, since the cost of real estate there - and the scoping out locations etc.... i hope that things turn around for the company - it's always a shame to see an iconic brand go through troubles.

ilanac13 4 years 46 weeks

i guess i just don't know too much about the situation - just that i saw it on CNN yesterday and it's just a shame to hear about how things are happening. they were talking about how a lot of the stores that are closing haven't even been open for 3 years - that's really a shame, since the cost of real estate there - and the scoping out locations etc....i hope that things turn around for the company - it's always a shame to see an iconic brand go through troubles.

NdHebert 4 years 46 weeks

I work from Starbucks and you know, I dont like the taste of the coffee. And I do think prices are high for some items. BUT. As a company, they are great. My car was broken into when I was working one night and I talked to a team in the corporate office who added 1,000$ to my next paycheck. They pay well and give excellant benefits to managers and hourly employees. A perfect example to me of Starbucks doing good is the island of Sumatra. This island was destroyed by the tsunami, but Starbucks went to the country and helped everyone get back on their feet and started growing coffee again there (which gives everyone jobs and boosts the islands economy). They also do something for every community they grow coffee in, such as build schools. Im not a brainwashed employee, and I actually only work 2 days a week for the benefits, but they do good. They really do.

NdHebert 4 years 46 weeks

I work from Starbucks and you know, I dont like the taste of the coffee. And I do think prices are high for some items. BUT.As a company, they are great. My car was broken into when I was working one night and I talked to a team in the corporate office who added 1,000$ to my next paycheck. They pay well and give excellant benefits to managers and hourly employees. A perfect example to me of Starbucks doing good is the island of Sumatra. This island was destroyed by the tsunami, but Starbucks went to the country and helped everyone get back on their feet and started growing coffee again there (which gives everyone jobs and boosts the islands economy). They also do something for every community they grow coffee in, such as build schools.Im not a brainwashed employee, and I actually only work 2 days a week for the benefits, but they do good. They really do.

dcfashionista 4 years 46 weeks

lately I have been getting my java fix from Dunkin Donuts. I can get a 16 oz iced coffee with hazlenut for $1.99.

fashion4ward 4 years 46 weeks

For as much as I llove SB, I only got 1/5. The ironic thing, to me, about this is that when I found out at home I had just been at SB's 5 minutes before.

fashion4ward 4 years 46 weeks

For as much as I llove SB, I only got 1/5. The ironic thing, to me, about this is that when I found out at home I had just been at SB's 5 minutes before.

ShePirate2010 4 years 46 weeks

well, if there was ust one in my town i would be the happiest girl ever, yes the prices may be high, but idk, id go to nee lengths for the goodness!!!!

Tabloid 4 years 46 weeks

On the downtown in my city, there's like 5 starbucks on the same street. How stupid! and there's ZERO near my house. :mad:

hippiecowgirl 4 years 46 weeks

They've had a lease on a building in the city where I work. No work has been done and I'm assuming it'll be axed before it's begun.I'm actually pretty happy. I love all things coffee, but I can't stand Starbucks. I prefer local, independent places for taste & economical reasons.

hippiecowgirl 4 years 46 weeks

They've had a lease on a building in the city where I work. No work has been done and I'm assuming it'll be axed before it's begun. I'm actually pretty happy. I love all things coffee, but I can't stand Starbucks. I prefer local, independent places for taste & economical reasons.

Bettyesque 4 years 46 weeks

Oh well, little coffee shops may stand a chance now. I love my dunkies anyway lol

Babycakes1234 4 years 46 weeks

I mainly drink the fraps so i like Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf better. However I give them credit for doing what they've done business wise. And closing stores is the right thing to do in this economy.

Marci 4 years 46 weeks

I knew the first answer so I thought the quiz was going to be a piece of cake, but then I didn't know the rest of the answers. 2 out of 5. Sad!I'm actually glad to hear they're closing stores. I was a big Starbucks fan but then they completely lost site of their vision. The stores became streamlined and they got rid of the couches and big chairs. The bathrooms are disgustingly dirty a lot (at least in New York), and they sneakily made the cups more narrow, thinking no one would notice. I'm now anti-Starbucks, and that's their own doing. They had to push me to turn off to them, and they successfully managed to do that over time.

Marci 4 years 46 weeks

I knew the first answer so I thought the quiz was going to be a piece of cake, but then I didn't know the rest of the answers. 2 out of 5. Sad! I'm actually glad to hear they're closing stores. I was a big Starbucks fan but then they completely lost site of their vision. The stores became streamlined and they got rid of the couches and big chairs. The bathrooms are disgustingly dirty a lot (at least in New York), and they sneakily made the cups more narrow, thinking no one would notice. I'm now anti-Starbucks, and that's their own doing. They had to push me to turn off to them, and they successfully managed to do that over time.

shoneyjoe 4 years 46 weeks

I remember after one all-night project, I still needed to get through the day, so I got a quad-shot and a mocha chaser. I really didn't feel right after that...I'm a Dunkin' Donuts coffee man, m'self.

shoneyjoe 4 years 46 weeks

rainydaybleus 4 years 46 weeks

From what I understand, part of SB's success is the fact that there is one on every corner. If it wasn't there, people are not likely to go out of their way to get it. Sort of, "if you will build it, they will come." Their real downfall is their pricing, and now that money is tight for most American's SB is no longer in the budget. Times are rough man. Sorry SB employees.

AmberHoney 4 years 46 weeks

Made top scorer - woo hoo! Although I'm not a fan of SB, overrated. I'm into Rockstar Coffee/Energy drinks now. Love them. Sorry to hear about all the people out of a job.