Here are 30 interesting facts about Starbucks:
1. Starbucks was founded in 1971 in Seattle, Washington, by three partners: Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker.
2. The company’s name was inspired by the first mate, Starbuck, from the novel Moby-Dick by Herman Melville.
3. Starbucks’ original logo featured a topless mermaid or siren, which has evolved over the years into the iconic green and white logo we recognize today.
4. The first Starbucks store outside of Seattle opened in Vancouver, Canada, in 1987.
5. Starbucks went public in 1992, offering its initial public offering (IPO) on the stock market.
6. As of 2021, Starbucks operates over 31,000 stores worldwide, making it one of the largest coffeehouse chains in the world.
7. Starbucks’ mission statement is “To inspire and nurture the human spirit—one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time.”
8. The company’s popular logo was redesigned in 2011 to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
9. Starbucks’ coffee buyers, known as “coffee masters,” travel the world to find high-quality coffee beans and build relationships with coffee farmers.
10. The company’s seasonal drinks, such as the Pumpkin Spice Latte and Peppermint Mocha, have become iconic and eagerly anticipated by customers.
11. Starbucks is known for its commitment to ethical sourcing and has established programs like Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices to ensure sustainable and responsible coffee production.
12. In 2008, Starbucks temporarily closed more than 7,000 stores in the United States for a few hours to conduct racial bias training following an incident in one of their stores.
13. Starbucks’ sizes for their drinks are Tall (small), Grande (medium), and Venti (large).
14. In 2012, Starbucks acquired Teavana, a specialty tea retailer, expanding its product offerings beyond coffee.
15. The company has a rewards program called Starbucks Rewards, which offers perks, discounts, and freebies to its members.
16. Starbucks has expanded beyond coffee and offers a variety of food items, including sandwiches, pastries, salads, and snacks.
17. The largest Starbucks store in the world is located in Shanghai, China, spanning 30,000 square feet and featuring a roastery, café, and bakery.
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18. Starbucks introduced its mobile ordering and payment app, allowing customers to order ahead and skip the line, in 2015.
19. The company is committed to reducing its environmental impact and has set goals to achieve 100% ethically sourced coffee, 50% recycled or renewable cups, and 50% water conservation by 2030.
20. Starbucks’ secret menu consists of unofficial drinks created by customers and shared online, which baristas can make upon request.
21. Starbucks has partnered with various organizations, such as (RED) and Conservation International, to support social and environmental causes.
22. The company faced controversy in 2017 when it introduced plain red holiday cups, which some customers felt did not reflect the holiday spirit.
23. Starbucks’ headquarters in Seattle, known as the Starbucks Center, is a LEED-certified building, meeting high standards for sustainability.
24. The Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Rooms offer a premium coffee experience with small-batch roasting and unique brewing methods.
25. In 2020, Starbucks announced its commitment to becoming “resource positive,” aiming to store more carbon than it emits, eliminate waste, and provide more clean freshwater than it uses by 2030.
26. Starbucks has a history of collaborating with artists and designers to create limited-edition merchandise and special collections.
27. The company introduced the Nitro Cold Brew, a nitrogen-infused coffee that gives it a smooth, velvety texture.
28. Starbucks’ headquarters has an impressive collection of artwork, including paintings, sculptures, and installations by renowned artists.
29. The company offers healthcare benefits to its employees, including part-time workers, and is known for providing stock options to its partners (employees).
30. Starbucks’ VIA Instant Coffee was introduced in 2009, allowing customers to enjoy Starbucks coffee on-the-go by simply adding hot water.
These facts offer a glimpse into the history, culture, and impact of Starbucks as a global coffee brand.
