Starbucks to close 250 locations

(CNN)– Starbucks is closing 250 underperforming stores.

The company says it will shutter locations where it doesn’t believe it can deliver acceptable experiences for customers.

It’s part of the chain’s years-long turnaround plan that has helped reverse a sales slump.

Starbucks has been focusing on upgrading stores and improving customer service.

Impacted stores will close this week and employees will be offered transfers when possible, and severance when not.

The company has about 18,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada.

It plans to open hundreds more.