The news hit like a gulp of bitter cold brew: Seattle-based Starbucks announced last month the company would be closing hundreds of stores and laying off another 900 corporate employees. 

Tuesday, October 7th, it was reported that another 369 employees will be laid off here in Washington State in December due to store “closures.”

This follows a restructuring plan laid out by CEO Brian Niccol.

Here to walk us through the latest out of SBUX HQ is Heather Haddon. She covers restaurants for the Wall Street Journal, and has been following this story all year.

GUEST:Heather Haddon

RELATED LINKS: 


Starbucks’s Roller Coaster Week of Job Cuts and Store Closures


Starbucks to Close Stores, Lay Off 900 More Corporate Employees  


Has Your Starbucks Barista Been Acting Especially Friendly Lately? Here’s Why.  


Message from Brian: An Important Update - About Starbucks 

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

The news hit like a gulp of bitter cold brew: Seattle-based Starbucks announced last month the company would be closing hundreds of stores and laying off another 900 corporate employees.&nbsp;
Tuesday, October 7th, it was reported that another 369 employees will be laid off here in Washington State in December due to store &ldquo;closures.&rdquo;
This follows a restructuring plan laid out by CEO Brian Niccol.
Here to walk us through the latest out of SBUX HQ is Heather Haddon. She covers restaurants for the Wall Street Journal, and has been following this story all year.
GUEST: <a href="https://www.wsj.com/news/author/heather-haddon">Heather Haddon</a>
RELATED LINKS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/hospitality/starbuckss-roller-coaster-week-of-job-cuts-and-store-closures-ebdf5d8e?mod=business_feat8_hospitality_pos1">Starbucks&rsquo;s Roller Coaster Week of Job Cuts and Store Closures</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/hospitality/starbucks-layoffs-corporate-restructure-b9dee2d3">Starbucks to Close Stores, Lay Off 900 More Corporate Employees</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/hospitality/starbucks-barista-training-sales-b1f11395">Has Your Starbucks Barista Been Acting Especially Friendly Lately? Here&rsquo;s Why.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://about.starbucks.com/press/2025/message-from-brian-an-important-update/">Message from Brian: An Important Update - About Starbucks</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Wall Street Journal reporter Heather Haddon joins Soundside to talk about the latest round of Starbucks layoffs, and what the future looks like for the local coffee giant.

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