Starbucks’ Big Fix? More Starbucks! But Will That Work on Long Island?
If you feel like you can’t swing an everything bagel without hitting a Starbucks on Long Island, buckle up—because more could be on the way.
Starbucks’ new CEO, Brian Niccol, has a bold strategy to fix the coffee giant’s struggles: double its store count nationwide while slashing menu items. That’s right—more Starbucks, but fewer choices.
For Long Island, where you can already spot multiple Starbucks from a single street corner (hello, Smith Haven Mall and Lake Grove), this raises an interesting question: Do we actually need more Starbucks, or is this just over-caffeination?
Why More Stores?
Starbucks has been struggling with slow service, long lines, and customer frustration, particularly as mobile orders flood in faster than baristas can make them. Instead of just upgrading processes or hiring more workers, the company’s solution is to expand aggressively.
Niccol, who was previously CEO of Chipotle, believes there’s still room for another 11,000 stores—potentially making Starbucks the largest restaurant chain in U.S. history.
Long Island, with its commuter culture and drive-thru demand, seems like an obvious target for this expansion. But at what point does “one on every corner” become too much?
What’s Changing Inside Starbucks?
☕ Fewer menu items – The company is cutting 30% of its food and drink options this year, including its short-lived Oleato olive-oil coffee. So, if you have a favorite niche drink, enjoy it while you can!
📱 Mobile ordering changes – Starbucks is testing a new algorithm to prevent a flood of mobile orders from overwhelming stores. On Long Island, where morning rush hour chaos is real, this could mean fewer delayed lattes and drinks sitting abandoned on counters.
🏗 Remodels and closures – While many new stores will be built, some underperforming locations will close or be revamped. No word yet on whether this will affect any Long Island spots.
Will More Starbucks Actually Help?
Starbucks says its new locations generate more revenue overall, so opening more makes financial sense. But some Long Islanders already have coffee fatigue. With strong local competitors like Southdown Coffee in Huntington, Aldo’s in Greenport, and Toast in Patchogue, Starbucks may have to work harder to keep its spot as the go-to caffeine stop.
That said, for commuters rushing to the LIRR, parents on early-morning school runs, and college students cramming at Stony Brook University, a more efficient Starbucks could be a win.
So what do you think? Is more Starbucks a good thing, or have we reached peak Frappuccino? ☕🚗💬 Sound off in the comments!
