New Starbucks plan for Charlotte will mean coffee delivery in minutes. Here’s how
Starbucks, the world’s largest coffee chain, is planning a “ghost kitchen” in Charlotte. The commercial kitchen will be for delivery only.
The Seattle-based coffeehouse giant will renovate and upfit the interior in part of the building at 4500 Nations Crossing Road, according to a commercial zoning review filed Monday with the city of Charlotte.
The filing refers to it as a Gopuff site. Gopuff, based in Philadelphia, is a delivery service for everything from groceries and household items to over-the-counter medications and alcohol, according to the company website.
Gopuff operates using its own network of local micro-fulfillment centers for delivery in 15 to 30 minutes at a flat fee.
The Charlotte project includes framing, plumbing and electrical work in the 8,109-square-foot, single-story building to install equipment to create a commercial coffee kitchen, according to the building application. “No part of the facility is open to the public. Goods are for delivery only,” the filing said.
The Nations Crossing industrial warehouse at the corner of Verbena Street is in Lower South End, or LoSo, which has been undergoing a transformation from a quiet industrial corridor into a high-density, mixed-use cultural hub.
Gopuff already offers delivery services throughout Charlotte for snacks, drinks, fresh groceries, ice cream, pantry staples, baby and pet items, alcohol, health and wellness, and cleaning supplies, according to the company’s website.
Starbucks and GoPuff officials did not respond to requests for comment Monday.
What Starbucks ghost kitchen in Charlotte could deliver
Rather than fulfilling mobile orders and delivery services through brick-and-mortar storefronts, Starbucks uses third-party partnerships. “Skip the coffee shop line and get your favorite Starbucks drinks delivered from Gopuff in as fast as 15 minutes,” Gopuff’s site states.
Menu items could include hot and chilled drinks, with menu items like iced espresso drinks, cold brew and nitro coffee, frappuccino, iced teas and refreshers, plus food and bakery items, according to Gopuff.
“It’s all done in-house,” according to Gopuff. “You pay regular Starbucks menu prices.”
Gopuff lists Starbucks barista positions starting around $15.70 per hour in Charlotte on its website.
In addition to Charlotte, Gopuff offers Starbucks delivery in Philadelphia, Miami and Arizona, with more locations opening soon, according to the company’s website. Gopuff and Starbucks pilot program launched in 2023 with Starbucks-trained baristas at two micro-fulfillment centers in the Philadelphia area, with delivery in about 30 minutes.
