India, Sept. 28 -- Starbucks will shut down hundreds of stores across North America as part of its "Back to Starbucks" plan to reshape the chain after six straight quarters of sales declines. The company confirmed the closures Thursday.

CEO Brian Niccol told employees the move is intended to focus on the chain's role as a welcoming "third place" and to phase out stores that no longer meet customer or financial expectations.

"We identified coffeehouses where we're 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," Niccol said.

Starbucks expects to end fiscal year 2025 with about 18,300 stores across the US and Canada, ac...