A number of Starbucks locations in B.C. will be closed permanently as early as Saturday as part of a $1-billion restructuring.

Chief executive officer Brian Niccol made the announcement Thursday in a post to the company’s website.

“Our goal is for every coffee house to deliver a warm and welcoming space with a great atmosphere and a seat for every occasion,” Niccol said.

But during a companywide review, the company identified shops “unable to create the physical environment our customers and partners expect, or where we don’t see a path to financial performance, and these locations will be closed.”

It’s estimated the company will reduce its number of North American stores by one per cent in fiscal 2025, while another 1,000 locations will undergo upgrades over the next year.

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