---
title: The CEO of Starbucks Just Explained Why Lines Have Been So Long
description: Starbucks has blamed "congestion" in its stores for disappointing sales growth. The CEO said the issue has "created anxiety" among customers
authors:
  - name: Kate Samuelson
    url: https://money.com/author/kate-samuelson/
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published: '2017-01-27T18:17:01.000Z'
modified: '2017-01-27T18:17:01.000Z'
section: Business
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> **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/).

![A Starbucks Corp. Location Ahead Of Earnings Figures](https://img.money.com/2017/01/gettyimages-632702894.jpg)
*Vehicles sit parked outside of a Starbucks Corp. coffee shop in Peoria, Illinois, U.S., on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017.*

It looks like the long lines at Starbucks do more than just frustrate customers.

The coffee chain is blaming "congestion" at its store for [disappointing sales growth](http://fortune.com/2017/01/26/starbucks-restaurant-soft-sales/?iid=leftrail), the *[Associated Press](http://finance.yahoo.com/news/starbucks-meets-1q-profit-forecasts-210918708.html)* reports*.* The chain's popular mobile order-and-pay option has prompted "bottlenecks in the areas where people collect their drinks." And Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, who will [step down](http://fortune.com/2016/12/01/starbucks-howard-schultz-steps-down/) in April, said the issue has "created anxiety" among some customers, according to *AP.*

Although Starbucks' U.S. sales rose 3% at established stores for the three months ending Jan. 1, the increase was the result of higher spending per visit, with more people tacking on items like breakfast sandwiches and other food to their order. Customer visits, meanwhile, were flat when factoring out the impact of a change in the loyalty program, according to the company.

As a result, Starbucks cut its sales forecast for the year and its stock fell, according to *AP.*

Research firm NPD Group earlier this month [warned](https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/news/press-releases/2016/total-us-restaurant-industry-visit-growth-will-remain-stalled-in-2017-but-quick-service-restaurant-traffic-will-see-uptick/) that U.S. eateries would continue to see a slowdown in traffic throughout 2017.

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