Starbucks Coffee Company Find a Store Sign In COFFEE TEA MENU COFFEEHOUSE SOCIAL IMPACT STARBUCKS REWARDS BLOG GIFT CARDS Company Information To say Starbucks purchases and roasts high-quality whole bean coffees is very true. That’s the essence of what we do – but it hardly tells the whole story. Our Heritage Every day, we go to work hoping to do two things: share great coffee with our friends and help make the world a little better. It was true when the first Starbucks opened in 1971, and it’s just as true today. Back then, the company was a single store in Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market. From just a narrow storefront, Starbucks offered some of the world’s finest fresh-roasted whole bean coffees. The name, inspired by Moby Dick, evoked the romance of the high seas and the seafaring tradition of the early coffee traders. In 1981, Howard Schultz (Starbucks chairman and chief executive officer) had first walked into a Starbucks store. From his first cup of Sumatra, Howard was drawn into Starbucks and joined a year later. In 1983, Howard traveled to Italy and became captivated with Italian coffee bars and the romance of the coffee experience. He had a vision to bring the Italian coffeehouse tradition back to the United States. A place for conversation and a sense of community. A third place between work and home. He left Starbucks for a short period of time to start his own Il Giornale coffeehouses and returned in August 1987 to purchase Starbucks with the help of local investors. From the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company. One that not only celebrated coffee and the rich tradition, but that also brought a feeling of connection. Our mission to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time. Expect More Than Coffee We’re not just passionate purveyors of coffee, but everything else that goes with a full and rewarding coffeehouse experience. We also offer a selection of premium teas, fine pastries and other delectable treats to please the taste buds. And the music you hear in store is chosen for its artistry and appeal. It’s not unusual to see people coming to Starbucks to chat, meet up or even work. We’re a neighborhood gathering place, a part of the daily routine – and we couldn’t be happier about it. Get to know us and you’ll see: we are so much more than what we brew. We make sure everything we do is through the lens of humanity – from our commitment to the highest quality coffee in the world, to the way we engage with our customers and communities to do business responsibly. Learn More About Us Company Profile A closer look at us. Timeline Our history from 1971 on. Recognition Awards and honors we've received. OUR COMPANY Ethics & Compliance Inclusion at Starbucks Corporate Governance Online Policies ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS For the 12th year in a row, Starbucks has been recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute. "World’s Most Ethical Companies" and "Ethisphere" names and marks are registered trademarks of Ethisphere LLC. Starbucks Newsroom Read more and join the discussion through the Starbucks Newsroom. Visit our Newsroom Starbucks Global Social Impact Goals & Progress Learn about our 2016 Goals & Progress About Us . Our Company Facebook Twitter Google Plus Pinterest Instagram Join our email list Join our email list Zip code GET STARTED By clicking "GET STARTED" I agree to receive news, promotions, information, and offers from Starbucks. See our Privacy Statement and Customer Service. ABOUT US Our Company Investor Relations Newsroom CAREER CENTER Working at Starbucks College Plan Current Partners Corporate Careers Manufacturing and Distribution Retail Careers International Careers FOR BUSINESS Office Coffee Starbucks Coffee International Foodservice Licensed Stores Starbucks Card Corporate Sales Landlord Support Center Suppliers ONLINE COMMUNITY Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Pinterest YouTube My Starbucks Idea QUICK LINKS My Account Store Locator Nutrition Info Customer Service Change Region English Web Accessibility Privacy Policy Terms of Use Contact Us Partners Site Map © 2018 Starbucks Corporation. All rights reserved.