Costa Coffee is expanding its UK drive-thru network while investing in store refurbishments and new partnerships to strengthen its presence across the country.
Costa Coffee plans to open upto 40 additional drive-thru sites across the United Kingdom in 2026, building on its network of 400 drive-thrus as the coffee chain continues to expand its convenience-led retail formats.
The company reached the milestone in March with the opening of its 400th drive-thru at Norwich Broadway Enterprise Park. Costa operates more than 2,800 stores across the UK, spanning high streets, shopping centres, retail parks, transport hubs and roadside locations.
Nick Ridley, Property and Store Development Director at Costa Coffee, said: “Drive-thrus are one of the fastest-growing parts of our retail estate, and play an important role in meeting changing customer missions. For many customers it’s about convenience, grabbing a coffee on the commute, during the school run or while travelling.”
Costa opened its first UK drive-thru in 2011. The format has since become an important part of its wider store strategy, allowing the company to serve customers seeking quick access to coffee and food without visiting a traditional café.
Ridley said Costa’s network planning continued to identify opportunities for further development across the country. “Our network planning shows there are still strong opportunities for drive-thrus across the UK. We continue to actively seek new locations and work closely with partners to bring forward the right sites,” he said.
The company is also investing in its existing estate. Over the past year, Costa refurbished more than 110 high-street locations and over 100 stores in shopping centres and retail parks. Ridley emphasised that drive-thrus complement rather than replace conventional coffee shops, which remain central to the brand’s customer experience.
Franchising remains a significant part of Costa’s UK operating model, alongside company-operated stores. The brand uses different ownership structures across its network, although it has not disclosed how many of the planned 40 drive-thru openings in 2026 will be franchised.
Costa is also extending its reach through partnerships outside traditional retail locations. In May 2026, the company announced a 10-year agreement with cinema operator Cineworld to introduce its coffee offering at up to 26 UK cinema locations. The first openings were planned for summer, with most sites expected to be operational by the end of the year. The locations are expected to offer Costa’s drinks and food range, with sit-in and takeaway options and self-service ordering screens.
The planned drive-thru additions would increase Costa’s network from 400 to as many as 440 sites, subject to the opening programme. The expansion reflects the company’s continued focus on convenience-led formats while maintaining investment in its wider café estate.
