The Business of Brewing
February 14th, 2008It is quite difficult to believe today that Starbucks, the largest coffeehouse company in the world (with over 15,000 stores in 44 countries), did not start selling coffee even after they had opened their fifth store. It took several years post establishment for the company to start selling beverages - their business was selling coffee beans until then. After that symbolic change, however, it was not business as usual anymore.
The Seattle-based chain has witnessed viral growth over the past few years, and is currently expanding at a phenomenal rate. Here is my attempt at collecting some magazine-styled numbers about the chain.
1971 The original Starbucks opened in Seattle, WA
300 Million pounds of coffee purchased by Starbucks in 2006.
6 The percentage of purchased coffee certified as fair trade.
7 The average number of new stores opening each day, worldwide.
7 Rank by Fortune magazine in a list of best companies to work for, in the United States, in 2008.
29 Its rank in the same list for 2006.
Incidentally, Starbucks does have a little secret item that’s not on the menu - a ’short cappuccino’ (the smallest size on their menu is called the ‘tall’), which is considered better and stronger, and available only by request.
(most figures drawn from Wikipedia)
February 15th, 2008 at 7:39 am
I had the “short” once. I think better quality is subjective, but stronger and better value (because it’s less watered down) are objectively true. I don’t drink coffee anymore, but there are quite a few places that have a better quality product than Starbucks. Peet’s is one of them. Unfortunately, the shop in Austin closed while I was there.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Yes, I was alluding to better value (in terms of stronger coffee). Personally, I don’t favor Starbucks coffee too much as Boulder was home to a bunch amazing locally-owned coffee shops, and now here in Minnesota the Caribou Coffee chain offers better ambience. I am quite intrigued by Starbucks’ business growth, however, as is evident from the numbers.