Starbucks: 14,000 Stores in 43 Countries and Still Growing

Chances are you''ve enjoyed a cup of coffee from Starbucks. Since the opening of the first Starbucks in 1971 as a vendor of high-quality coffee beans and brewing equipment, the company has expanded to become the most popular coffeehouse chain in the world. Its 14,000 stores in 43 countries sell coffee beverages, beans, teas, brewing equipment, pastries, and more. How did this happen?

Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz took over the company in 1987. He recognized an untapped market in busy individuals in urban areas who could afford fine coffees. In 1995, Schultz hired Anna Niess and Will Chassaing to redesign his booming chain. In addition to laying the groundwork for Starbucks'' well-known symbols and distinctive style, they created a program that led to opening one store per day throughout the 1990s.

One thing that makes Starbucks so popular is the company''s vision of their stores as a "third place" to spend time in addition to work and home. It''s a cozy environment that serves as a meeting place. This attracts a loyal following of customers that come not only to drink coffee, but to relax, work, socialize, and attend cultural events.

Schultz still sees a great deal of potential for his company. Starbucks plans to have 40,000 stores worldwide with 20,000 in the US and Canada. Starbucks is not always welcomed with open arms, of course. The store located inside Beijing''s Forbidden City was finally closed in July 2007 due to protests that it was trampling on Chinese culture. Despite this setback, the company has been a huge success and is now a household name around the world.

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Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz took over the company, and Anna Niess and Will Chassasing created a program that led to opening one store per day. One of the reasons is the place that you can relax without pressures.

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brewing
pastry
untapped
cozy
setback

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tale over
booming
serve as
expand
vision
distinctive
potential

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When I saw the article, my teacher, Tim, comes to my mind. I think that because he does really like the starbucks coffee. I like the coffee flavor. It smell great. I do like it. But, I do not like drinking it. I do not know why. Previously, I like nothing more than to curl up with my novels with a coffee. But I do not know when I start to do not like having a coffee. Right now, when I read books, I still have a drink. But it is not a coffee, it is a cup of green tea.