First ‘drive-thru’ Starbucks opens in Deeside

The first 'drive-thru' Starbucks coffee store opened in Deeside today, with a further one due open in Runcorn within the next four weeks.

Starbucks and petrol forecourt operator Euro Garages have signed a licensing deal to open up to 30 drive-thru coffee stores in the UK, which will create 600 jobs.

The partnership follows a multi-million pound investment in the look and design of new and existing stores.

The agreement marks the rollout of the Starbucks drive-thru concept in the UK, following the success of its pilot store in Cardiff which opened in March 2008.

There are also plans to open drive-thru stores in Shrewsbury in the next four weeks and seven further sites will open in the next 12 months with the remainder opening by 2013.

Darcy Willson-Rymer, managing director of Starbucks UK & Ireland, said: "Our customers want Starbucks coffee when they're on the go, but they don't want to compromise on the quality of the coffee or the service they get in our coffee houses. With this deal they won't have to do either.

"We've had a great success with our first drive-thru and Euro Garages' commitment to customer service and innovation makes them the right partner for us."

Mohsin Issa, director of Euro Garages, added: "It's essential for us to work with strong brands who share our commitment to innovation. Our partnership with Starbucks will complement the offer on our existing estate, as well as enable us to accelerate our growth with new stand alone drive-thrus across the UK."