Starbucks is preparing to close about 250 stores across the U.S. and Canada this week, representing roughly 1% of its North American footprint, as CEO Brian Niccol restructures the chain's regional business. Chief Operating Officer Mike Grams said a portfolio review identified locations that could not consistently provide the intended customer and employee experience or offered no clear route to acceptable financial performance. Starbucks reported 18,371 North American locations last quarter, down from 18,734 a year earlier. The company expects about $300 million in closure-related charges, including about $200 million for lease terminations and severance, and will seek to transfer affected employees where possible. Starbucks is pairing closures with investments in its remaining cafes: more than 1,000 U.S. and Canadian stores have been redesigned, and it plans at least 1,500 upgrades by the end of fiscal 2026 before accelerating the program in fiscal 2027. The company also plans to establish a technology hub in Chennai, India, next year. Shares closed Wednesday at $93.65, down 0.52%, and traded near $93.59 after hours.