Economics or global domination strategy?

Starbucks announced the closure of five percent of its US stores.  Should this be blamed on the economic downturn or poor growth strategy on their part, or is this part of a plan?  A plan to saturate local markets with too many coffee shops, thereby pushing out locally-owned entities?  Open too many stores, push out the owner-operated locations, and then close a bunch of stores.  Perhaps Starbucks should add a scorched earth flavor to its menu.