Starbucks Builds Texas Store With 3D Printer

If you ever find yourself in Brownsville, Texas, you might notice a Starbucks that doesn’t look like any other. This new Starbucks is the first in the U.S. to be 3D-printed. That means a giant robotic arm poured out layers of concrete, one on top of the other, until it formed the shape of the building. The outside walls look kind of like stacked tubes or coils of clay. It’s not smooth like other buildings, but that’s what makes it cool.

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Starbucks 3D Prints New Store in Texas

The store isn’t made for hanging out. There are no chairs or couches inside. In fact, there’s no “inside” at all for customers. This Starbucks is built just for drive-throughs and mobile pickups. You order your drink on the app, drive up, and someone hands it to you through a window. That’s it! Quick and simple.

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It might seem weird that such a high-tech building was put in Brownsville, which isn’t usually the first place companies test out their new ideas. But Brownsville is actually close to SpaceX’s launch site, so it’s quietly becoming a place where futuristic stuff is happening.

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Starbucks Uses 3D Printing for Texas Location

Starbucks says using 3D printing helps cut down on waste and makes construction go faster. If this store does well, the company might build more like it all across the country. Instead of waiting months for a new coffee shop to open, a robot could print one in just a few days.