Are there REALLY more self-storage locations than Starbucks in the US?

Yes, its true. There are significantly more self-storage facilities (also called self-storage locations or sites) in the United States than Starbucks coffee shops.

Current Numbers (as of mid 2026)

• Self-storage facilities: Estimates consistently place the total at over 50,000, with many sources citing around 52,000–60,000+ active facilities nationwide. This includes both large operators (like Public Storage, Extra Space) and the many independent/small facilities that dominate the industry.
• Starbucks locations in the US: Approximately 16,800–17,000 stores (including both company-operated and licensed stores). Recent counts include 16,879 as of April 2026 and similar figures around 16,854–16,941 in late 2025/early 2026.

That means there are roughly 3 times as many self-storage sites as Starbucks locations—or more, depending on the exact self-storage count used.

Why the Rumor Persists

This comparison has been a popular “fun fact” in the self-storage industry for years (it was already true a decade ago when Starbucks had ~12,000 US stores and storage was around 48,000–50,000 facilities). Self-storage is a highly fragmented industry with tens of thousands of independent operators, while Starbucks is a single large chain. Many sources also note that self-storage facilities outnumber not just Starbucks, but combinations like Starbucks + McDonald’s + Subway.

The gap exists because:

• Self-storage has low barriers to entry in many areas and benefits from Americans’ tendency to accumulate stuff (about 1 in 10–13 households rents a unit).
• Starbucks, while ubiquitous, is still one brand with controlled expansion (they plan modest net growth in the US, like 150–175 new stores in fiscal 2026).

The US has far more places to stash your extra belongings than places to grab a latte.