Starbucks Has Closed Two North Dakota Locations

The company shuttered stores in Fargo and Grand Forks as part of a broader corporate shakeup.

Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Openings & Closings

A modern, single-story retail building with glass windows and stone walls, set against an expansive, cloudy North Dakota sky. — Starbucks shuttered its locations on South University Drive in Fargo and South Washington Street in Grand Forks this week as part of a national corporate restructuring. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Starbucks has closed its South University Drive store in Fargo and its South Washington Street store in Grand Forks this week. These closures are part of a wider initiative affecting approximately 250 locations across the United States and Canada.

Why it matters

The closures are being implemented as part of a corporate shakeup directed by CEO Brian Niccol. The company is evaluating its real estate portfolio based on financial goals as well as employee and customer experience expectations.

Starbucks is shuttering approximately 250 locations across the U.S. and Canada as part of its ongoing operational review. The specific number of impacted staff members in North Dakota remains undisclosed, though the company confirmed severance or transfers are available.

The players

Starbucks

This is a global coffeehouse chain headquartered in Seattle that operates thousands of retail locations worldwide.

Brian Niccol

He is the CEO of Starbucks who is currently overseeing a major corporate shakeup of the company's operations.

The details

The impacted sites include the South University Drive location in Fargo and the South Washington Street store in Grand Forks. These changes are now reflected in the Starbucks company app and through posted store hours.

The closures are taking place during the week of September 25, 2026.
Some of the affected locations are expected to finalize their closures over the weekend of September 26-27, 2026.

Market Landscape

These closures follow the Starbucks retail footprint optimization strategy, reflecting a shift toward prioritizing high-performing locations. The move signals a broader effort by the company to streamline operations and enhance efficiency in a competitive coffee market.

Customers in Fargo and Grand Forks should check the Starbucks app for updated store information as these specific branches cease operations. Employees affected by these site closures will be offered either transfers to other locations or severance packages.

The takeaway

The closures highlight the ongoing efforts by corporate leadership to refine the company's physical presence to better suit current financial objectives. Residents should rely on the official Starbucks app for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding store availability.