Starbucks was founded in 1971 in Seattle, Washington, by three partners: Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker.
The company’s name was inspired by the novel “Moby-Dick,” and its logo features a twin-tailed siren, which represents the allure of coffee.
Starbucks’ original focus was on selling coffee beans and equipment, but they later introduced espresso beverages and opened their first café in 1984.
The first Starbucks outside of North America opened in Tokyo, Japan, in 1996, marking the beginning of the company’s international expansion.
Starbucks played a pivotal role in popularizing the concept of a “third place” – a comfortable and welcoming space outside of home and work where people can relax and socialize.
In 1987, Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks, introduced the idea of creating an Italian coffeehouse experience within the Starbucks brand, leading to the development of the iconic Starbucks store concept we know today.
Starbucks is committed to ethical sourcing and environmental sustainability, working closely with coffee farmers and implementing initiatives like the Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices.
Starbucks has an extensive menu that goes beyond coffee, including teas, pastries, sandwiches, and other food items, catering to a diverse range of customer preferences.