Starbucks Corporation is an American global coffee company and coffee house chain based in Seattle, Washington. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company in the world, with 20,891 stores in 62 countries, including 13,279 in the United States, 1,324 in Canada, 989 in Japan, 851 in China, 806 in the United Kingdom, 556 in South Korea, 377 in Mexico, 291 in Taiwan, 206 in the Philippines, 171 in Thailand and 10 in India.
Starbucks started as a coffee roaster in Seattle’s Pike Place Market in 1971. They only sold coffee beans at the time. The company diversified in time by opening coffee shops, and later on selling coffee equipment. Starbucks is considered one of the initiators of “second wave coffee”.
Starbucks is a global brand that has diversified far beyond just serving coffee. They are very famous for their cold drinks, such as the frappuccino, as well as bottled cold coffee drinks. They also sell merchandise in their stores with their distinctive branding such as ceramic or reusable takeaway cups and mugs.
Starbucks have been one of the most successful examples of branding in recent years, along with companies like Mcdonalds, Apple and Coca Cola.
Starbucks has been a Fairtrade distributer and has been strongly associated with the movement since the year 2000.