Starbucks and the Coffee Shop Boom

A bean shop

Starbucks opened in Seattle in 1971, founded by three friends who loved high-quality coffee. At first it sold whole roasted beans and equipment, not drinks. The name came from Starbuck, the first mate in Herman Melville's novel Moby-Dick. In 1976 the store moved to 1912 Pike Place, which fans now visit as the original shop.

Howard Schultz and the espresso bar

Howard Schultz joined in 1982 and, after a trip to Milan, wanted Starbucks to serve espresso drinks in a cafe atmosphere. The founders were hesitant, so he started his own coffee bars, then bought Starbucks in 1987 and merged the businesses.

The third place

Schultz described Starbucks as a third place between home and work. Rapid expansion through the 1990s and 2000s made lattes, cappuccinos and the Frappuccino, introduced in 1995, everyday words in many countries.

Coffee as fast food

Today Starbucks is one of the largest restaurant companies in the world, with drive-thrus and mobile ordering making it as quick as any burger chain. Seasonal drinks such as the Pumpkin Spice Latte, launched in 2003, drive big sales every autumn. Sugar and calories vary hugely between drinks, so check the menu information.

Starbucks has also been at the centre of debates about coffee prices, sourcing and work conditions, and it publishes information about its ethical sourcing programmes for coffee farmers.

Menu guide

Starbucks sizes use Italian-inspired names: Short, Tall, Grande and Venti, with Trenta for some iced drinks. Popular orders include lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites, cold brew, Frappuccino blended drinks and Refreshers. The secret to a lighter order is often fewer syrup pumps, milk swaps and skipping whipped cream. Food includes breakfast sandwiches, egg bites and pastries.

Did you know? The original Pike Place store keeps an early version of the brand's logo, and lines of tourists often wait outside. Starbucks also operates large Reserve Roastery locations in cities such as Seattle, Shanghai, Milan, New York and Tokyo, where coffee is roasted on site.

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