Starbucks Targets 600-650 New Stores in FY26: Is Execution the Key?

Starbucks Corporation SBUX outlined its unit expansion plans for fiscal 2026, signaling a renewed focus on scaling its store base. The company expects to open 600 to 650 net new coffeehouses globally, including 150 to 175 company-operated stores in the United States and 450 to 500 internationally.

A key component of this expansion strategy is the introduction of updated store formats. Management highlighted new variations, including the “Ristretto” design, which allows flexibility in size and configuration. These formats are designed to support cafe, drive-thru and mobile order pickup within a single ecosystem. Starbucks noted that these changes are intended to improve build design and enable more effective execution across different trade areas.

Management stated that it has identified “thousands” of potential locations across the U.S. and international markets. To support this opportunity, the company is strengthening its operational infrastructure. This includes the introduction of “coffeehouse coaches,” aimed at supporting new store openings while maintaining stability across existing locations.

In parallel, Starbucks is aligning store development with operational readiness. Management emphasized improvements in store design, staffing capability and development processes. These initiatives are intended to support consistent execution as the company expands its footprint and increases the pace of new store openings.

Starbucks’ expansion plan underscores execution in supporting unit growth. The company has outlined both a defined pipeline and the operational measures required to support it. As it scales its store base in fiscal 2026, the pace of new store openings and execution consistency will be important in determining how effectively Starbucks converts this expansion into incremental growth.

Execution Drives Peer Expansion Strategies

This emphasis on aligning expansion with execution capability is also reflected in strategies adopted by industry peers. McDonald's Corporation MCD continues to prioritize scale as a core growth driver, targeting approximately 2,600 gross restaurant openings in 2026 as part of its plan to reach 50,000 locations globally by 2027. McDonald’s highlighted execution across value, marketing and menu innovation as a key focus. Management indicated that coordination across these areas supports traffic and sales performance.

Dutch Bros Inc. BROS is also pursuing unit expansion alongside investments in execution capabilities. The company opened 154 new shops in 2025, representing 16% new unit growth, and continues to scale its development pipeline with a target of reaching 2,029 shops by 2029. Management highlighted that new shop productivity remains strong, supported by refinements in its development process and disciplined market expansion.

In parallel, Dutch Bros emphasized execution across operational and customer-facing initiatives. The company pointed to investments in throughput improvements, order-ahead capabilities and labor deployment, which are designed to support transaction growth while maintaining customer experience. Management indicated that these initiatives are enabling the system to handle higher volumes while improving consistency across locations.

Across peers, expansion remains a key growth lever but is closely linked with execution capability. Both McDonald’s and Dutch Bros highlighted the importance of aligning unit growth with operational consistency and customer-facing initiatives. Within this context, Starbucks’ focus on store formats, staffing infrastructure and development processes reflects a similar emphasis on supporting expansion with execution readiness as it scales its footprint in fiscal 2026.

SBUX’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates

Shares of Starbucks have declined 1.3% in the past year compared with the industry’s fall of 4.6%.

SBUX Stock’s One-Year Price Performance

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From a valuation standpoint, Starbucks trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 2.77, below the industry’s average of 3.59.

SBUX’s P/S Ratio (Forward 12-Month) vs. Industry

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The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SBUX’s fiscal 2026 earnings per share (EPS) implies a year-over-year uptick of 8.5%. The EPS estimates for fiscal 2026 have remained unchanged in the past 30 days.

EPS Trend of SBUX Stock

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Starbucks stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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