Starbucks Closing 50 Stores, California Leads Its Hit-List

Seattle, WA (AHN) - Eight California Starbucks' coffee shops top a hit-list released on Tuesday of 50 of 600 stores to be shuttered in an effort to consolidate the firm's operations.

According to the list the top 50 include California, seven in Minnesota, five in Texas, four in Alabama, and 26 others spread across Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio and West Virginia.

The 50 will close by July 31. The 600 comprise 8 percent of the 7,250 outlets owned by Starbucks, which the company decided to shutter due to poor sales. The closures would take place until March 2009, which would result to 12,000 Starbucks employees losing their jobs.

Along with the announcement of the first 50 stores, Starbucks said it will introduce new drinks in the U.S. and Canada to be called Vivanno Nourishing Blends. There will be two flavors, an orange-mango-banana combination and a banana-chocolate mix.

One serving would be equivalent to 270 calories, made up of 15 grams protein and 5 grams fiber. Starbucks is not only cutting down the number of outlets but also the calorie and fat content of products on its menu. Most beverages would have 2 percent milk content.