Starbucks Opens Its First 3D-Printed Store, but a Fan-Favorite Element Is Missing

Starbucks has opened a brand-new location built entirely with 3D printing in Brownsville, Texas. However, the new store is missing an essential element fans of the coffee company have come to rely on.

The coffee retailer has created a new drive-thru location, from the ground up, manufactured completely via 3D imaging. The brand shared details of the build via an Instagram reel.

Per the website 3DPrint.com, the project is a collaboration between Starbucks, PERI 3D Construction, and COBOD International. The three partners collaborated to apply faster, more sustainable building methods for the project.

The 3D standalone store features textured concrete walls. There are also shaded drive-thru lanes and a walk-up window.

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Adeola Olubamiji, Ph.D., CEO of Pathfinder Consulting, and an expert in printing technologies, spoke with TODAY about the new store. She explained, “This technology combines the semi-solid with a polymer, so that each layer adheres to the next layer due to the polymer that connects them, much like an adhesive.”

According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the estimated cost for crafting the 3D building totaled $1,198,000. The building is 1,400 square feet in total.

Starbucks’ 3D Construction Is Missing an Essential Element

3D printing can be a viable option for Starbucks when it comes to building construction. It offers advantages such as faster construction times, reduced waste, and potential use of more sustainable materials. 

However, the new location does not contain the indoor cafe feel that customers have come to rely on. Customers typically regard their neighborhood Starbucks as a friendly, local coffee shop. The interior cafe gives the coffee chain a distinct identity separate from its grab-and-go competitors.

Allowing customers to linger allows the retailer to rack up more sales. Customers tend to purchase more products the longer they remain in-store.

CEO and Chairman Brian Niccol wrote in 2024, “We’re committed to elevating the in-store experience — ensuring our spaces reflect the sights, smells, and sounds that define Starbucks. Our stores will be inviting places to linger, with comfortable seating, thoughtful design, and a clear distinction between ‘to-go’ and ‘for-here’ service.”

Along with utilizing 3D printing as a sustainable option, Starbucks continues to brew up a greener future with a range of initiatives aimed at reducing its environmental impact and promoting ethical practices throughout its supply chain. One of Starbucks’ primary goals is to cut its carbon emissions, water usage, and landfill waste by 50% by 2030. To achieve this, the company has implemented the Greener Stores initiative, certifying that over 6,000 stores worldwide focus on energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction.

In its commitment to sustainable coffee sourcing, Starbucks has expanded its network of coffee innovation farms, adding new locations in Guatemala and Costa Rica. These farms focus on developing climate-resilient coffee varieties and sharing best practices with farmers to ensure a sustainable future for coffee production.

Starbucks is also addressing packaging waste by introducing compostable cups and encouraging the use of reusable cups. The company aims to make all its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2030. Additionally, Starbucks has eliminated the extra charge for plant-based milk alternatives in the U.S. and Canada, promoting more environmentally friendly beverage choices.