The original Starbucks opened in Seattle, Washington, in 1971 by three partners: English teacher Jerry Baldwin, history teacher Zev Siegel and writer Gordon Bowker. The three were inspired by Alfred Peet, whom they personally knew, to open their first store in Pike Place Market to sell high quality coffee beans and equipment. In 1982 Howard Schultz joined Starbucks as director of retail operations and marketing. After traveling to Italy and discovering the Italian coffee bar that sold espresso by the cup. When he returned, he wanted to apply that to their business in 1983. Within 2 months they were selling over 700 customers a day. In 1987 the owners of Starbucks Coffee Company decided to sell their business to a group of local investors for $3.7 million. The new investors were told they were going to open 125 Starbucks Coffee stores in the next 5 years. The company started expanding rapidly.
Starbucks is the #1 specialty coffee retailer. Starbucks business model was to sell the company's own premium roasted coffee along with espressos, pastries, coffee accessories and teas. Their business model goal was to expand internationally and to take over other coffee businesses. Starbucks products are:
? Coffee: more then 30 blends and single-origin coffees
? Handcrafted Beverages: hot and iced espresso, non-coffee blended beverages and Tazo teas
? Merchandise: assorted home espresso machines, coffee brewers and grinders, premium chocolate, coffee mugs and gift items
? Fresh Food: sandwiches and salads
? Entertainment: selection of the best in music, books and film
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