First US 3D-Printed Starbucks Opens in Texas
## First U.S. 3D-Printed Starbucks Opens in Texas
Brownsville, TX – Starbucks has opened its first 3D-printed store in the United States, a drive-thru only location in Brownsville, Texas. The 1,400 square-foot building, completed in April 2025, represents a significant step for the coffee giant and the construction industry.
The project, undertaken by German firm Peri 3D Construction using a Cobod BOD2 printer, began in late 2024. The printer, a large-scale robotic arm, extruded a cement-like mixture in layers to create the building's shell, resulting in the distinctive ribbed texture visible on the exterior walls. While the 3D-printing process created the building's basic structure, human workers completed the finishing touches, including adding windows and a porch.
The drive-thru-only design reflects the building’s compact size. There is no indoor seating. Local residents have expressed surprise and admiration at the innovative construction, noting its high-tech nature. Faviola Maldonado, a former business owner next door, described the construction process as “super high technology.”
While construction using 3D printing currently costs more than traditional methods, experts anticipate it will become more cost-competitive as the technology improves. Andrew McCoy, associate director of research and innovation at Virginia Tech, called the Starbucks store “leading edge,” highlighting that 3D printing can mitigate labor shortages and expedite construction. James Rose, director of the Institute for Smart Structures at the University of Tennessee, noted that the industry is still experimenting with the technology’s optimal uses, but he views the experimentation as positive. He also stated that it is early days for the technology.
This project adds to a growing number of 3D-printed structures in the U.S., including a Walmart extension and a Marine barracks. While Starbucks declined to comment on the future of 3D-printed stores or the reasons for choosing Brownsville as the location for this pilot project, the opening signifies a bold step into innovative construction methods for a major American retailer. The project's approximately $1.2 million budget, reported in a 2023 government licensing document, highlights the current investment in this emerging technology. The success of this Brownsville location may influence future expansions utilizing 3D printing within the Starbucks chain and beyond.
Brownsville, TX – Starbucks has opened its first 3D-printed store in the United States, a drive-thru only location in Brownsville, Texas. The 1,400 square-foot building, completed in April 2025, represents a significant step for the coffee giant and the construction industry.
The project, undertaken by German firm Peri 3D Construction using a Cobod BOD2 printer, began in late 2024. The printer, a large-scale robotic arm, extruded a cement-like mixture in layers to create the building's shell, resulting in the distinctive ribbed texture visible on the exterior walls. While the 3D-printing process created the building's basic structure, human workers completed the finishing touches, including adding windows and a porch.
The drive-thru-only design reflects the building’s compact size. There is no indoor seating. Local residents have expressed surprise and admiration at the innovative construction, noting its high-tech nature. Faviola Maldonado, a former business owner next door, described the construction process as “super high technology.”
While construction using 3D printing currently costs more than traditional methods, experts anticipate it will become more cost-competitive as the technology improves. Andrew McCoy, associate director of research and innovation at Virginia Tech, called the Starbucks store “leading edge,” highlighting that 3D printing can mitigate labor shortages and expedite construction. James Rose, director of the Institute for Smart Structures at the University of Tennessee, noted that the industry is still experimenting with the technology’s optimal uses, but he views the experimentation as positive. He also stated that it is early days for the technology.
This project adds to a growing number of 3D-printed structures in the U.S., including a Walmart extension and a Marine barracks. While Starbucks declined to comment on the future of 3D-printed stores or the reasons for choosing Brownsville as the location for this pilot project, the opening signifies a bold step into innovative construction methods for a major American retailer. The project's approximately $1.2 million budget, reported in a 2023 government licensing document, highlights the current investment in this emerging technology. The success of this Brownsville location may influence future expansions utilizing 3D printing within the Starbucks chain and beyond.
