Founded by three friends in 1971, Starbucks is the world’s largest coffee chain and a leader in the coffee industry. Its brand is known for its Italianized names and inviting decor, which amplify customers’ perception of the experience as an indulgence or reward.
The company has grown quickly and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Today, it has over 22,000 locations worldwide and is valued at $30 billion.
Starbucks is a favorite hangout of many people, whether it’s to grab a quick drink or just to relax and spend time with friends. However, it’s also the subject of many controversies and has faced challenges related to business practices.
In addition to its many stores, Starbucks also operates a roastery in Seattle and has one opening on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile in 2019.
At the time of its founding, the company’s core business was selling coffee beans. In the early 1980s it began experimenting with espresso drinks.
Howard Schultz joined the company in 1982 and was tasked with making Starbucks a more enjoyable place for customers to shop. During his tenure, he developed customer-friendly sales skills and crafted brochures that emphasized Starbucks’s quality products.
Despite a few short-term setbacks, Starbucks has grown into a global force in the coffee industry, with more than 25,085 stores and 300,000 employees in 75 countries. Besides its coffee, the company also sells a variety of other food and beverages including teas, snacks, and pastries.
The Starbucks siren logo, which is featured on most storefronts, was created by David Smith. It depicts a twin-tailed mermaid, or siren, as she is known in Greek mythology.
There are several ways to earn stars with the Starbucks rewards program. First, make sure you’re signed up for email newsletters. These will provide you with discounts and promo codes as soon as they’re available. You can also sign up for a prepaid or credit card that you can use in both the company’s stores and online.
Once you’ve reached 125 stars, you can also get a free food or beverage incentive every month. You can also take advantage of Double-Star Days, where you’ll get more stars if you spend more.
You can also buy selected grocery store items with a prepaid Starbucks Card and use the coupons that you earn to get additional points. For example, you could save up to 15 percent off a purchase by using a prepaid Starbucks card in the store and adding the coupons on your account online.
As the coffee company’s founder, Schultz was an avid coffee drinker and had a strong sense of what customers wanted. He was also a progressive corporate leader, advocating for higher minimum wages and health care, and eventually using his influence to promote fair trade policies.