A report in The Times (8 March) indicates that Starbucks is planning to turn half its 746 British stores into franchises, and to open new stores with franchise partners.
In fact, H&C News understands that stores will switch to franchises over time, and without a specific target number (at least for the present).
It is known that Starbucks took long, expensive leases on some stores when it first entered the UK market and that, as it seeks to turn UK trading into profit, it is and has been looking to exit such leases.
Drive-thrus
At the same time, Starbucks is busy expanding its drive-thru estate towards the targeted two hundred outlets. No doubt it will be looking closely at the potential of Euro garages sites to accelerate the programme.
The most recent drive-thru opened last week at The Place Retail Park in Milton Keynes.