-
Start
Starbucks start to open the first store in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. -
Howard Schultz
Howard Schultz joins Starbucks as director of retail operations and marketing. Starbucks begins providing coffee to fine restaurants and espresso bars. -
Caffè Latte
Schultz convinces the founders of Starbucks to test the coffeehouse concept in downtown Seattle, where the first Starbucks Caffè Latte is served. -
Total stores: 17
Il Giornale acquires Starbucks assets with the backing of local investors and changes its name to Starbucks Corporation. Opens in Chicago and Vancouver, Canada. -
Total stores: 84
Starbucks expands headquarters in Seattle.
Unveils Starbucks Mission Statement. -
Total stores: 116
Becomes the first privately owned U.S. Company to offer a stock option program that includes part-time employees.
Opens first licensed airport store at Seattle’s Sea-Tac International Airport. -
Total stores: 165
Completes initial public offering (IPO). -
Total stores: 272
Opens roasting plant in Kent, Wash.
Announces first two-for-one stock split. -
Total stores: 677
Begins serving Frappuccino® blended beverages.
Opens first LEED-certified store in Hillsboro, Oregon.
Announces second two-for-one stock split.
Opens roasting facility in York, Pa. -
First store outside of North America. Total stores: 1,015
Begins selling bottled Frappuccino® coffee drink through North American Coffee Partnership.
Opens stores in: Japan and Singapore. -
Total stores: 1,412
Establishes the Starbucks Foundation.
Opens stores in: the Philippines. -
Total stores: 1,886
Extends the Starbucks brand into grocery channels across the U.S.
Opens in underserved neighborhoods through joint-venture partnership with Magic Johnson.
Launches Starbucks.com.
Establishes the CUP Fund emergency financial assistance fund for partners.
Opens stores in: England, Malaysia, New Zealand, Taiwan and Thailand. -
Total stores: 2,498
Acquires Tazo Tea.
Partners with Conservation International to promote sustainable coffee-growing practices.
Acquires Hear Music, a San Francisco–based music company.
Announces third two-for-one stock split.
Opens stores in: China, Kuwait, Lebanon and South Korea. -
Total stores: 3,501
Establishes licensing agreement with TransFair USA to sell Fairtrade certified coffee in U.S. and Canada.
Opens stores in: Australia, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. -
Total stores: 4,709
Introduces the Starbucks Card.
Announces fourth two-for-one stock split.
Opens stores in: Austria, Scotland, Switzerland and Wales. -
Total stores: 5,886
Establishes Starbucks Coffee Trading Company (SCTC) in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Launches Wi-Fi in stores.
Opens stores in: Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Mexico, Oman, Puerto Rico and Spain. -
Latinoamerica. Total stores: 7,225
Acquires Seattle Coffee Company, which includes Seattle’s Best Coffee® and Torrefazione Italia® coffee.
Opens roasting facilities in Carson Valley, Nev., and Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Opens stores in: Chile, Cyprus, Peru and Turkey. -
Total stores: 10,241
Acquires Ethos Water.
Announces fifth two-for-one stock split.
Opens stores in: Bahamas, Ireland and Jordan. -
Recycled. Total stores: 12,440
Launches the industry’s first paper beverage cup containing post-consumer recycled fiber.
Opens stores in: Brazil and Egypt. -
Healthy. Total stores: 15,011
Eliminates all artificial trans fat and makes 2 percent milk the new standard for espresso beverages.
Opens stores in: Denmark, the Netherlands, Romania and Russia. -
Twitter and Facebook. Total stores: 16,680
Chairman Howard Schultz returns as chief executive officer and begins transformation of the company.
Also joins Twitter and debuts Starbucks Facebook page.
Opens stores in: Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and Portugal. -
Total stores: 16,635
Opens Farmer Support Center in Kigali, Rwanda.
Launches My Starbucks Rewards® loyalty program and Starbucks Card mobile payment.
Opens stores in: Aruba and Poland. -
Total stores: 16,858
Expands digital offerings for customers with free unlimited Wi-Fi, Starbucks Digital Network.
Seattle’s Best Coffee reinvents business strategy to extend brand’s reach.
Opens stores in: El Salvador, Hungary and Sweden. -
Total stores: 17,003
Launches first annual Global Month of Service to celebrate company’s 40th anniversary.
Opens first Community Stores in Harlem and Crenshaw neighborhoods.
Launches Starbucks® K-Cup® packs.**
Opens Farmer Support Center in Mbeya, Tanzania.
Opens stores in: Guatemala, Curacao and Morocco. -
Arrive in Colombia. Total stores: 18,066
Introduces Starbucks® Blonde Roast.
Opens Farmer Support Centers in Manizales, Colombia and Yunnan, China.
Acquires La Boulange® bakery brand to elevate core food offerings.
Launches Starbucks Refreshers® beverage platform.
Opens stores in: Costa Rica, Finland, India and Norway. -
Total stores: 19,767
Starbucks ceo Howard Schultz reinforces company’s commitment to marriage equality at company’s Annual Shareholders Meeting.
Opens stores in: Vietnam and Monaco. -
First store in Colombia.
They opened a new store in Colombia.
