Starbucks UK New Stores 2026: How Many Are There & Where Are They Opening?
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How Many Starbucks Are in the UK Right Now?
There are 1,304 Starbucks stores in the UK as of the end of 2025. That makes the UK Starbucks’ largest market outside of North America and China.
To put that in perspective: there is roughly one Starbucks for every 50,000 people in the UK. In London alone there are over 200 stores — about one every 5 minutes walk in the city centre.
Not all of these are company-owned. Starbucks operates two types of UK locations:
| Type | Who Runs It | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Company-operated stores | Starbucks directly | High street, retail parks |
| Licensed stores | Partners like SSP, Compass, Costa parent | Airports, motorways, hospitals, universities, supermarkets |
Licensed stores look identical to regular Starbucks — same menu, same cups, same app — but prices can be 20-40p higher, and your reusable cup discount may not apply at all locations.
How Many New Starbucks Are Opening in 2026?
75 new UK Starbucks stores are planned for 2026. That is slightly fewer than the 92 stores opened in 2025, but still a rate of roughly one new store every five days.
Looking further ahead, Starbucks has committed to opening more than 500 new UK stores over the next five years. If that target is hit, the UK total will pass 1,800 stores by 2030.
Where Are New Starbucks Stores Opening in 2026?
Starbucks has not published a full list of 2026 opening locations. Based on recent planning applications and the company’s stated strategy, new stores are targeting:
| Location Type | Why Starbucks Targets These |
|---|---|
| Smaller UK towns | Major cities are close to saturation — towns with 50,000-150,000 people have little to no Starbucks coverage |
| Drive-thrus on A-roads and retail parks | Drive-thru orders are up sharply — higher ticket size, lower staffing cost per order |
| Transport hubs | Airports, train stations, motorway services — licensed partnerships with SSP and other operators |
| Hospitals and universities | Captive audience, all-day traffic, less seasonal demand |
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are underserved compared to England. Recent openings suggest Starbucks is pushing harder into these markets — particularly mid-sized Scottish and Welsh towns that currently have no Starbucks at all.
Why Is Starbucks Growing So Fast in the UK?
Three things are driving Starbucks UK growth in 2025-2026:
1. Cold drinks and matcha are booming
Cold drink sales at Starbucks UK rose 11.8% last year. Matcha drinks jumped 68%. These drinks are higher-margin than hot coffees and appeal to a younger customer base who discovered Starbucks through TikTok. The Spring 2026 menu — built entirely around ube and matcha — is a direct response to this.
2. The Rewards app is pulling in regulars
Starbucks Rewards has 2.4 million active members in the UK, and app-linked sales now account for 42% of all UK revenue. Mobile orders are up 28%. When someone is already using the app, they are far more likely to visit a second or third time each week — which makes opening more locations worthwhile.
3. The average customer is spending more
Average spend per UK visit hit £6.45 in 2025. Customisation — extra pumps, alternative milks, cold foam — pushes tickets higher. A standard latte is £3.95. Add oat milk, an extra shot, and vanilla sweet cream cold foam and you’re at £5.80 before you’ve added food.
Does Starbucks Franchise in the UK?
No — Starbucks does not offer franchises in the UK. You cannot buy a Starbucks franchise here.
What Starbucks does offer is licensing — but only to large operators who already run food and beverage outlets at scale. SSP Group (which runs food at airports and train stations), Compass Group (hospitals, offices), and similar companies hold licensed Starbucks agreements. An individual cannot apply.
If you see websites advertising “Starbucks franchise opportunities UK,” they are either misleading or referring to overseas markets. Starbucks UK has confirmed it does not offer franchise arrangements to individuals.
How to Find Your Nearest Starbucks UK
The fastest ways to find open stores near you:
| Method | Best For |
|---|---|
| Starbucks UK app | Fastest — shows open stores, hours, and whether mobile ordering is available |
| starbucks.co.uk/store-locator | Filter by drive-thru, opening hours, accessibility |
| Google Maps: “Starbucks near me” | Good for checking live opening hours, though not always up to date |
