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Starbucks is set to unveil its first 3D-printed coffee shop in Brownsville, Texas, next week. This innovative retail space spans 1,400 square feet, constructed using a large 3D printer that layered a concrete mixture to form the building’s exterior. The new location will exclusively cater to drive-thru and mobile orders, with an opening date scheduled for April 28.
According to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the establishment required an investment of nearly $1.2 million for its construction.
Starbucks announced its collaboration with PERI 3D Construction for this project. Founded in 2015, PERI 3D has successfully completed 15 projects across the U.S. and Europe. Their portfolio includes noteworthy initiatives, such as a multi-family residential building in Lünen, Germany, completed in 2023, and a home for Habitat for Humanity in Tempe, Arizona, built in 2021.
Texas has emerged as a hub for 3D-printed construction, with companies like Icon developing a community of 3D-printed homes in Georgetown. These residences, ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 square feet, are priced between $450,000 to $600,000, and reports indicate that 25% of the 100 proposed homes have already been sold.
Starbucks’s move into this new construction method comes amid a broader turnaround strategy under CEO Brian Niccol. Appointed in September 2024, Niccol has initiated various operational reforms to address declining sales, which included plans to eliminate 30% of the menu in U.S. stores by the end of the year, as well as enforcing strict time limits for barista order fulfillment—ensuring that all orders, whether in-store or drive-thru, are ready within four minutes.
Additionally, starting May 12, the company will introduce a formal dress code for baristas, requiring them to wear khaki, black, or blue denim bottoms paired with solid black shirts. To enhance the customer experience, staff will also personalize orders by writing customers’ names on cups using Sharpies.
In a recent financial report for the first quarter of 2025, Starbucks indicated that U.S. same-store sales declined for the fourth consecutive quarter, dropping by 4%. Foot traffic also saw an 8% decrease. Overall, Starbucks generated $9.4 billion in global net revenue, remaining flat compared to the previous year.
“These results have room for improvement, but I am optimistic that our focused investments in labor, marketing, technology, and store operations this fiscal year will help stabilize the business and set Starbucks up for future growth,” Niccol communicated during the January earnings call.
Starbucks is gearing up to report its second-quarter earnings after market close on Tuesday, April 29.
In a related note, the CEO has challenged corporate employees to be proactive about the company’s growth prospects.
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