Monday, February 13, 2017

Starbucks Sees Green in Former Wendy's

Work underway to convert the  former Wendy's in Brookwood Hills to a Starbucks 
Starbucks planning multiple new Atlanta area locations

Starbucks, the Seattle-based coffee juggernaut with about 25,000 locations globally, plans to open at least two new Atlanta area locations in former Wendy's restaurants.

Starbucks is in the progress of renovating the former Wendy's at 1861 Peachtree Road in Brookwood Hills.  I first reported on this plan last May with renovations only now starting to take shape.

Over in Sandy Springs, Starbucks is currently in the process of obtaining permits to convert another former Wendy's at 6350 Powers Ferry Road, just off 1-285.  The location has been vacant for years and it is rather surprising it took so long for anyone to pursue the space.  

Local residents started a petition in early 2015 urging Starbucks to open in the space.  While it is hard to say whether the petition had an effect on the company's plans, the new Braves stadium being built a few miles away surely helped their case.  Powers Ferry Road is likely to see a significant increase in traffic from fans going to and from SunTrust Park from Sandy Springs, and the new Starbucks is perfectly situated to capitalize on this.  

In both cases, Starbucks will take advantage of the existing drive-thru windows but will strip the buildings to reflect the Starbucks branding.  Starbucks has found drive-thru windows to be of great importance to the company as it continues to open new locations.  

In early 2013, Starbucks announced that 60% of the 1,500 new U.S. locations that the chain planned to open through early 2018 would have drive-thru windows.

In addition to the two Wendy's conversions, Starbucks has a new drive-thru unit coming soon to Peachtree Station in Chamblee and is believed to be relocating an existing Sandy Springs location to a new development nearby.  A proposed Starbucks on Piedmont Avenue in Atlanta is reportedly "not dead, but also far from done."  

Starbucks is also still moving forward with their planned relocation near Chastain Park but the time frame is now been pushed to "late summer 2017."  

Are you excited for the new Starbucks in Atlanta?  If it is even possible, where in Atlanta is still without a Starbucks that needs one? What is your favorite place to get coffee in Atlanta?  

Please share your thoughts below.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Not excited for any drive-thru oriented buildings on Peachtree St between Midtown and Buckhead. Between the continued poor site plan of development and the lack of bike lanes, Atlanta's "world class" street is downright grossly suburban.

Anonymous said...

What about Caribou.... i wish they would open more!!! We have plenty of Starbucks!

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