Howard Schultz

Howard Schultz is an American entrepreneur and author who built Starbucks into the world's largest coffeehouse chain, serving as its chairman and CEO across three separate tenures. Born in Brooklyn and raised in public housing, he rose from modest beginnings to become a billionaire and one of the most influential business figures of his generation. His leadership transformed a regional roaster into a global brand with over 28,000 stores, and he is credited with reshaping how Americans, and much of the world, consume coffee.

Schultz's career is defined by his return to Starbucks during the 2008 financial crisis, when he made bold moves to revive the company, and his later expansion into China, where he helped cultivate a coffee culture in a tea-dominated market. He also owned the Seattle SuperSonics from 2001 to 2006. Beyond business, Schultz has authored four books, including the bestseller Pour Your Heart Into It, and has been a vocal advocate for employee benefits and social responsibility. As of 2026, he remains active as chairman emeritus and continues to weigh in on the company's direction. [edit]

Howard Schultz grew up in the Bayview Houses, a public housing project in the Canarsie section of Brooklyn. His father, Fred, worked as a truck driver and factory worker, often without health insurance or job security, while his mother, Elaine, managed the household. The family's financial struggles left a deep impression on Schultz, who later said his father's lack of dignity in the workplace inspired his own employee-first philosophy.

At Canarsie High School, Schultz was a standout football player, and his athletic ability earned him a scholarship to Northern Michigan University, making him the first in his family to attend college. After graduating in 1975 with a communications degree, he worked in sales at Xerox, where he excelled in the training program, and later moved to Hammarplast, a Swedish housewares company, selling drip coffee makers. It was at Hammarplast that he noticed a small Seattle company ordering an unusually large number of coffee makers, that company was Starbucks.

In 1981, Schultz visited Starbucks' original store in Seattle's Pike Place Market and was immediately captivated by the company's passion for coffee. He joined the company in 1982 as director of retail operations and marketing. The following year, a trip to Milan, Italy, proved pivotal: observing the ritual and community of Italian espresso bars, he realized Starbucks could replicate that experience in America. When his proposal to serve espresso drinks was rejected by the founders, Schultz left in 1985 to start his own coffee bar chain, Il Giornale. [edit]

In 1987, Il Giornale acquired Starbucks' retail operations for about $3.8 million, and Schultz renamed the combined company Starbucks Coffee Company. Under his leadership, the chain expanded from 17 stores to over 160 by 1992, when it went public with a valuation of $271 million. The 1990s saw rapid national and international growth, with the introduction of the Frappuccino in 1995 becoming a major commercial success.

Schultz stepped down as CEO in 2000 but returned in 2008 during the financial crisis, when Starbucks was struggling with overexpansion. He closed 600 underperforming U.S. stores, laid off thousands, and shut all U.S. stores for three and a half hours on March 26, 2008, to retrain baristas. His second tenure brought the Starbucks Rewards loyalty program, the acquisition of Teavana in 2012, and aggressive expansion in China, where he is credited with helping shift tea culture toward coffee.

After stepping down again in 2017, Schultz returned as interim CEO in April 2022, serving until Laxman Narasimhan took over in April 2023. Since then, he has been publicly critical of Starbucks' recent performance, urging a return to the "third place" experience that made the brand iconic. He remains active with the Schultz Family Foundation and The Emes Project. [edit]

Howard Schultz's public image is that of a transformative, employee-first business leader who built Starbucks into a global cultural phenomenon. He is often portrayed in media as a socially conscious capitalist, liberal on social issues but fiscally conservative. His signature style includes tailored suits, a clean-shaven look, and an intense, earnest speaking manner. He is known for his passionate, almost evangelical approach to business leadership, frequently speaking about "leading with heart" and creating a company that balances profit with purpose.

Starbucks employees, known as "partners," have historically held Schultz in high regard, though recent labor unionization efforts have created tension between the company and some workers. There is no formal fandom name for Schultz himself, but his business philosophy has a devoted following among entrepreneurs and business students. [edit]

Howard Schultz's following is not the stuff of fan clubs. Unlike entertainers who inspire named fandoms, his admirers are business devotees, Starbucks loyalists, and readers of his books. No formal fandom name exists for him, and none has emerged organically; his social media presence, while active, serves as a platform for corporate commentary and philanthropy rather than fan engagement.

In the broader landscape of global fame, Schultz's profile is that of a business figure whose recognition stems from his corporate achievements rather than celebrity culture. As of August 2026, the iFANN Global Fame Engine has evaluated his standing but he does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings, whether the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. This absence is notable for a figure of his commercial impact, reflecting a fame that is substantial yet not quantified in the public rankings.

His cultural footprint, however, is undeniable. The story of his rise from Brooklyn public housing to the helm of a global coffee empire is a modern Horatio Alger tale, retold in business schools and boardrooms. His dramatic 2008 decision to close all U.S. stores for retraining, and his 2018 response to the Philadelphia arrest incident by closing 8,000 stores for racial bias training, are moments that transcended business news and entered public discourse. His 2026 relocation from Seattle to Miami, framed as a response to Washington state's business climate, generated headlines and debate, further cementing his status as a figure who provokes strong reactions, admiration from some, criticism from others, but rarely indifference.[edit]

Schultz was the first in his family to attend college, on a football scholarship, and grew up in the Bayview Houses public housing project in Canarsie, Brooklyn. His father's lack of health insurance later drove his decision to offer it to part-time Starbucks employees. In 2008, he closed all 7,100 U.S. stores for 3.5 hours to retrain baristas on espresso. He has called himself the 'Ray Kroc of his generation' for scaling Starbucks, and has weighed presidential runs in 2012, 2016, and 2020, declining each time. His book Pour Your Heart Into It was a New York Times bestseller.

One of the most retold legends is his 1983 trip to Italy, where he was inspired by Milan's espresso bars to transform Starbucks from a bean retailer into a café experience, a story he has told often, and one that fans of his business philosophy cite as the origin of the 'third place' concept. Another iconic moment: in 2018, after two Black men were arrested at a Philadelphia Starbucks, he closed 8,000 stores for racial bias training, a move that became a defining episode in his public legacy. More recently, his March 2026 move from Seattle to Miami, which he tied to Washington state's business climate, has become a talking point among critics and supporters alike.[edit]

Howard Schultz married Sheri Kersch in 1982, and the couple has two children: a son, Jordan, and a daughter, Addison. The family has been based in Seattle, Washington, for decades. Schultz and his wife co-founded the Schultz Family Foundation, which has committed over $100 million to supporting military veterans, youth employment, and community initiatives. They also co-founded The Emes Project, focused on Jewish community engagement. Schultz has spoken publicly about how his father's struggles without health insurance or dignity in the workplace shaped his values and his approach to business. [edit]

Howard Schultz is closely associated with Starbucks, where he served as CEO and chairman. He also owned the Seattle SuperSonics from 2001 to 2006. His wife, Sheri Kersch Schultz, co-founded the Schultz Family Foundation with him. Other notable associations include Laxman Narasimhan, current Starbucks CEO, and Rajiv Chandrasekaran, co-author of For Love of Country. [edit]

Howard Schultz's only known romantic relationship is with Sheri Kersch, whom he married in 1982. The couple met in New York, where Schultz was working before joining Starbucks. They have two children, Jordan and Addison, and have been married for over four decades. Sheri has been a consistent presence in his public life, and together they co-founded the Schultz Family Foundation. There are no credible reports of any extramarital relationships or separations. As of 2026, Schultz is married to Sheri Kersch Schultz, and the marriage appears stable. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Howard Schultz's net worth at $5 billion. The bulk of his wealth derives from his Starbucks stock holdings, which he has gradually sold over the years but still retains a significant stake in. His ownership of the Seattle SuperSonics from 2001 to 2006 also contributed to his fortune, with a gain of roughly $150 million on the sale. Additionally, Schultz earns royalties from his four books, including Pour Your Heart Into It and Onward, and owns real estate in Seattle and New York. Forbes estimated his net worth at $4.3 billion in October 2020, and subsequent estimates have ranged from $3.5 billion to $4.5 billion, depending on Starbucks' stock performance. The increase to $5 billion reflects the appreciation of his remaining Starbucks shares and other investments. As of 2026, Schultz remains active in philanthropy and business commentary, though he is no longer involved in Starbucks' day-to-day operations.[edit]

Howard Schultz has received recognition primarily in business and philanthropy. He was named Businessperson of the Year by Fortune in 2011 and included in TIME's 100 Most Influential People in 2005. He received the Horatio Alger Award in 2011 and the National Retail Federation's Visionary award the same year. He has also received honorary degrees from Northern Michigan University, the University of Southern California, and Baruch College. [edit]