Groundbreaking Brew: Starbucks Unveils First 3D-Printed Drive-Thru in Texas

Starbucks has introduced a groundbreaking new store concept in Brownsville, Texas, with the launch of its first-ever 3D-printed drive-thru location.

This innovative store opened its doors following a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday at 2491 Boca Chica Boulevard, located next to Lotus Cafe.

A Milestone in Retail Construction

This new Starbucks location is the first of its kind in the United States to be built using 3D concrete printing.

The 1,400-square-foot commercial shell was produced using a computer-controlled robotic arm that layered concrete to form the structure. This marks a major shift in how commercial buildings can be constructed in the retail industry.

“It’s early days yet,” said James Rose, director of the Institute for Smart Structures at the University of Tennessee.

“I’m happy to see people doing all of these different things with it, and I think at some point we’ll figure out what its best use is. But right now I think you’re going to see lots of experimentation, and I think that’s a good thing.”

Sustainable and Eye-Catching Design

Designed to be both eco-friendly and visually distinctive, the building includes solar panels installed on the drive-thru canopy and near the mobile order pick-up station.

The solar energy system powers the entire building. Additionally, the unique structure features a canopy style and decorative metal coffee bean panels visible as customers pick up their orders.

The rigid, layered walls of the compact, rectangular building resemble stacked tubes, giving it a futuristic appearance that sets it apart from traditional Starbucks locations.

Local Impact and Support

The event celebrated not only Starbucks’ technological innovation but also the City of Brownsville and its community.

Starbucks recognized the contributions of the City of Brownsville, Chamber of Commerce, city commissioners, and Starbucks partners who supported the project from conception to completion.

Ricky Arreola, general manager of the new location, and Eunice Benitez, district manager, expressed their enthusiasm for being part of such an innovative store launch. “There’s a new pour from Starbucks: It’s the first 3D printed store in the U.S.,” they said.

Setting a Precedent in the Industry

Although 3D printing technology has been around since the 1980s, its use in large-scale commercial construction remains relatively novel.

Until now, the technique has mostly been applied in residential projects aimed at addressing housing affordability.

Andrew McCoy, associate director of research and innovation at the Myers-Lawson School of Construction at Virginia Tech, described Starbucks’ new store as “leading edge.”

He acknowledged that while the process is currently more expensive than traditional wood framing, it offers solutions to labor shortages and accelerates construction timelines.

“You are starting to see the technology is getting faster, smaller,” McCoy said. “It’s getting easier to use.”

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Starbucks collaborated with Germany-based PERI 3D Construction to bring this concept to life. PERI used COBOD’s BOD2 printer, which prints concrete with a steel nozzle.

This method reduces the need for wall plastering and post-treatment while also minimizing water evaporation due to the reduced wall surface area.

According to COBOD, these advantages make the process efficient and sustainable, aligning well with Starbucks’ push toward more environmentally conscious operations.

A Glimpse into the Future

While Starbucks did not confirm whether more 3D-printed stores are planned, the move positions the company among the few major U.S. retailers experimenting with this type of construction.

The choice of Brownsville, a city of around 190,000 residents, may reflect the brand’s interest in exploring scalable innovations in diverse communities.

“It was just different,” said Faviola Maldonado, a nearby jewelry store operator who witnessed the store being built. “It was super high technology.”

Changes Beyond the Storefront

This launch comes at a time when Starbucks is rolling out several operational changes.

The company recently revised its barista dress code to require solid black tops and implemented a more focused menu by eliminating underperforming items.

It also reversed its open-door restroom policy, all part of the “Back to Starbucks” strategy led by CEO Brian Niccol, who assumed the role in September 2024.

As Starbucks continues to innovate, this 3D-printed store stands as a bold example of how the company is reimagining the future of its customer experience.