On Thanksgiving morning, many Americans head out for last-minute ingredients or a coffee run before the feast. But in recent years, a familiar green sign has gone dark. Starbucks, the coffee giant with more than 15,000 U.S. locations, now closes most of its company-operated stores on Thanksgiving Day. The shift, which began in 2022, marks a notable change in how the chain approaches the holiday.
Why Thanksgiving Became a Day Off for Starbucks Employees
For decades, Thanksgiving was just another workday for many Starbucks baristas. Stores opened early, serving travelers and families preparing holiday meals. But in 2022, the company announced that company-operated stores would close on Thanksgiving. The decision gave employees the day off, a move that aligned with a broader push for better work-life balance.
The policy was not a sudden whim. Starbucks had been testing reduced hours on Thanksgiving at some locations before 2022. Employee feedback played a role. According to some sources, the company surveyed workers and found strong support for a full closure. The change also fit a trend among large retailers, such as Target and Walmart, which began closing on Thanksgiving in recent years.
Starbucks framed the closure as part of its commitment to “partner care,” a term the company uses for employee well-being. The decision meant that roughly 9,000 company-operated stores in the U.S. would not open on Thanksgiving. Licensed stores, such as those inside grocery stores or airports, were not included in the policy. Those locations operate under separate agreements and may stay open.
The weaker claim here is that the closure was purely altruistic. Starbucks also faced labor shortages and rising wage demands in 2021 and 2022. Closing on Thanksgiving may have helped the company avoid staffing headaches and overtime costs. Still, for workers, the day off was a tangible benefit.
Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November each year. In 2024, that date is November 28. Starbucks stores are expected to follow the same closure policy as in 2023. The company has not announced any changes for 2024 as of early November, but the pattern suggests consistency.
Which Starbucks Locations Stay Open on Thanksgiving
Not every Starbucks closes on Thanksgiving. The closure policy applies only to company-operated stores. Licensed stores, which are run by third parties, set their own hours. These include locations inside supermarkets like Safeway or Kroger, as well as those in airports, hotels, and college campuses.
For travelers, airport Starbucks are a common lifeline. Many remain open on Thanksgiving, though hours may be reduced. The same goes for stores inside Target or other big-box retailers that stay open on the holiday. However, even licensed stores may close early. The best approach is to check the specific location’s hours in advance.
Starbucks rewards members can use the mobile app to check store hours. The app shows whether a location is open and its hours for the day. Mobile ordering may be unavailable at closed stores, but the app will reflect that. For non-members, the Starbucks store locator on the company website provides the same information.
The announcement came via a company blog post and was widely reported. The policy was consistent across all U.S. company-operated stores, with no regional exceptions. That uniformity made planning easier for customers.
What about Black Friday? Starbucks stores typically reopen on the day after Thanksgiving. Some locations may open earlier than usual to catch early-morning shoppers. Extended hours are common at stores near shopping centers. Again, checking the app or store locator is the safest bet.
| Store Type | Thanksgiving Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Company-operated | Closed | Policy since 2022 |
| Licensed (grocery) | May be open | Hours vary by host store |
| Airport | Often open | Reduced hours possible |
| Hotel | May be open | Depends on hotel policy |
What Industry Observers Say About the Holiday Closure Trend
Retail analysts have noted that Starbucks’ Thanksgiving closure is part of a broader shift. “The retail industry has been moving away from Thanksgiving openings for several years,” said one analyst who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly. “Starbucks was actually late to the trend.”
Other chains, like Costco, have never opened on Thanksgiving. Target and Walmart began closing on the holiday in 2020 and 2021, respectively. For Starbucks, the decision was also a response to unionization efforts. The company faced a growing union movement in 2021 and 2022, with workers at several stores voting to organize. Offering a paid holiday may have been a way to improve morale without negotiating with unions.
“It’s a smart PR move,” said another observer, a former Starbucks district manager who asked not to be named. “But it also makes operational sense. The sales on Thanksgiving were never huge, and staffing was a nightmare.” The former manager noted that many employees requested the day off anyway, leading to understaffed stores.
The more useful approach is to see the closure as a win-win. Employees get a paid day off. Starbucks avoids the cost of running stores on a low-traffic day. And the company burnishes its image as a caring employer. Critics might argue that the closure is a drop in the bucket compared to other labor issues, but for workers, it is a real benefit.
One unresolved question is whether the policy will extend to other holidays. Starbucks stores are open on Christmas Day in some locations, though hours are limited. The company has not signaled any plans to close on Christmas. Thanksgiving remains the only major holiday where company-operated stores are fully closed.
Timeline of Starbucks Thanksgiving Closure Policy
2019: Starbucks stores were open on Thanksgiving, though many had reduced hours. No company-wide closure policy existed.
2020: The pandemic disrupted holiday operations. Some stores closed due to local restrictions, but there was no uniform policy.
2021: Starbucks began testing reduced hours on Thanksgiving at select locations. Employee feedback was collected.
2022: In November, Starbucks announced that all company-operated U.S. stores would be closed on Thanksgiving. The policy took effect that year. Licensed stores were not affected. Public records covering this story are gathered in Starbucks Confirms Thanksgiving Day Hours: What Time Your Favorite …
2023: The closure policy continued. No changes were announced for 2024 as of early November.
2024: Thanksgiving falls on November 28. The closure policy is expected to remain in place. Customers should check the app or store locator for licensed locations.
The timeline shows a relatively quick shift. From open stores in 2019 to a full closure in 2022, the change took just three years. That speed reflects both internal and external pressures. The pandemic reshaped how companies think about holidays, and Starbucks moved with the tide.
One detail that often surprises customers: the closure applies to all company-operated stores, including those in high-traffic areas like downtown Seattle or New York City. Even the flagship Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Seattle closes on Thanksgiving. The only exceptions are licensed locations, which are not under direct corporate control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Starbucks open on Thanksgiving Day in 2024?
Most company-operated Starbucks stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day 2024, which falls on November 28. Licensed stores inside grocery stores, airports, and hotels may remain open, but hours vary. Check the Starbucks app or store locator for specific locations.
Did Starbucks close on Thanksgiving due to union pressure?
The company cited employee well-being as the primary reason. The timing coincided with a wave of union votes, but the policy was likely influenced by multiple factors, including operational costs and employee feedback.
When did Starbucks start closing on Thanksgiving?
Starbucks first closed company-operated stores on Thanksgiving in 2022. The policy was announced in November of that year. Before 2022, stores were open with reduced hours. The change marked a significant shift in the company’s holiday operations.
Where can I find a Starbucks that is open on Thanksgiving?
Licensed Starbucks locations inside grocery stores, airports, and hotels are the most likely to be open. Use the Starbucks store locator on the website or the mobile app to search for open stores. Filter by location and check the hours listed for Thanksgiving Day.
How many Starbucks stores are closed on Thanksgiving?
Roughly 9,000 company-operated Starbucks stores in the U.S. are closed on Thanksgiving. That represents the majority of Starbucks locations. Licensed stores, which number around 6,000, may be open, so the total number of closed stores varies by year and location.
How to Confirm Your Local Starbucks Hours on Thanksgiving
With the mix of closed company-operated stores and potentially open licensed locations, verifying hours in advance is essential. The Starbucks mobile app remains the most reliable tool. It displays real-time hours for each store, including holiday adjustments. Users can search by location and see whether a store is open, along with its specific hours for Thanksgiving Day.
For those without the app, the Starbucks website offers a store locator with the same information. Simply enter an address or zip code to find nearby stores and their hours. Calling ahead is another option, though phone lines may be busy on the holiday. Social media posts from local stores can also provide updates, but these are less consistent.
One practical tip: check hours the day before Thanksgiving. Some licensed stores may post signs with holiday hours in advance. If you plan to visit an airport Starbucks, remember that flight schedules can affect operating hours. Early morning flights may mean an earlier opening time, while reduced flight schedules could lead to a later opening or earlier close.
