Starbucks

Starbucks started as a single coffee bean shop in Seattle's Pike Place Market in 1971. Founders Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker focused on selling high-quality beans. The company transformed under Howard Schultz, who bought it in 1987 and shifted to espresso-based drinks. Schultz served as CEO from 1986 to 2000, driving rapid expansion across the West Coast and beyond. By November 2022, Starbucks operated 35,711 stores in 80 countries, with nearly 16,000 in the United States. It remains the largest coffeehouse chain globally, ranking 120th on the Fortune 500 and 303rd on the Forbes Global 2000. The chain helped define the second wave of coffee culture, offering a wider coffee experience. Its menu includes hot and cold drinks, whole-bean coffee, espresso, lattes, teas, Frappuccinos, pastries, and snacks. Many locations offer free Wi-Fi. Starbucks has faced controversies over business practices but maintains strong brand loyalty and market share.[edit]