The biography of the company is its success story, a clear example of how to build life and work. Confucius wrote: "Choose a job you love and you won't have to work a single day in your life." A long time ago, three coffee-loving friends did just that. They turned their hobby into a profession. The friends did not have any specific business concept. What they did could be called creativity rather than strategy. And yet, the whole world soon learned about the coffee house under the original name "Starbucks".
How it all began
So, three young people (two teachers - history and English and a writer), who knew each other from their studies at the university, came up with one idea. Who became the initiator - Jerry Baldwin, Gordon Bowker or Zev Siegl - is not important. Since everyone loved coffee, the idea turned out to be simple: open a store selling a drink in beans. But they needed money for it. The guys chipped in for $1,350 each. Yes, they took five thousand. This was enough for 30September 1971, the store opened its doors to everyone.
Which state did Starbucks coffee shops originate in, you ask? We answer: this is Washington, the city of Seattle.
And one more thing. Enthusiasts were inspired to such a feat by Alfred Peet, an entrepreneur who somehow roasted grains in a special way and taught the guys this. And they set about selling coffee according to a secret recipe.
What would you name the yacht…
Seattle is the largest center in the northwestern United States and a major seaport. So, thinking about the name of their future brainchild - the Starbucks coffee house, the founders settled on the name of the whaling ship captain's assistant from the famous book "Moby Dick". His name was Starbucks.
They also conjured over the logo. We decided to take the image of a siren (mermaid). The color of the picture is brown. In the late 80s and early 90s, it was changed to green. The tail is slightly shortened. The girl's chest was hidden behind the hair flying in the wind. Added asterisks between words.
And finally, in the center is the face of a mermaid. The green rim disappeared, the stars “faded out”. The color of the logo has become much lighter.
So, Starbucks coffee shops appeared on the streets of the city. At first, the company only sold coffee beans in Seattle, but the drink itself was not brewed here. Just a little. They gave it to those who wished for the purposes of advertising, and this played a role.
The friends learned the technique of the new business from A. Pete and expanded. By 1981, five stores were already operating. There was also a mini-factory for roasting coffee and a department thatsupplied products to local bars and restaurants.
And then the network went beyond Seattle. Branches opened in Chicago and Vancouver.
The next step was to start selling goods by mail. For this, a catalog was compiled. Now you know in which state Starbucks coffee shops appeared. And soon new establishments opened in 33 locations in different parts of the United States. And all thanks to the printed registry.
Incredible fact: Starbucks opened new stores in the 90s. And it happened almost every working day! The company managed to maintain such a frantic pace until the 2000s.
Today, for Americans, there is no question of which state the Starbucks coffee shops are located in? Where can you enjoy excellent coffee? After all, such establishments are everywhere!
New Markets
And in 1996, the company reached a new level: the first Starbucks coffee shops appeared many kilometers from the USA - in Tokyo (Japan). Following the land of the rising sun, 56 outlets were opened in the UK. Very soon, Starbucks coffee shops appeared in Mexico. Now there are already 250 of them, in Mexico City alone there are about a hundred establishments.
Today, the Starbucks chain of coffee shops is very large. You can't list all the addresses. It is possible to name only the countries where there are these institutions, and then some. These are Switzerland, India, Denmark Germany, South Africa, Poland, Hungary, China, Vietnam, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Portugal, Sweden, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Norway, France, Colombia, Bolivia.
Moreover, in Norway, the airport in Oslo was chosen as the site for the first Starbucks coffee shop. In Beijing, she registered in the hall of international departures of aircraft. In some places, these establishments are located in hotels, for example, in South Africa.
But this is far from over! Last year, in 2014, Starbucks donated six of its stores to Colombia and four to Hanoi. More than ten establishments will be in Bogota in 2015. The same year is scheduled for the opening of a similar cafe in Panama.
In the park, on the ship and on the islands
Both in Disneyland and in different countries you will find Starbucks establishments. The coming year 2015 was very pleased with many coffee lovers. And here's why: the restless Starbucks now invites you to drink a flavored drink on the islands in the English Channel.
Moreover, zealous coffee merchants have managed to adapt even a ship to suit their purposes! This happened in 2010. The first store was located on board the cruise ship Allure of the Seas, built by Finnish shipyards. It is the second largest in the world.
And in Russia too
The company's managers have been looking towards the inexhaustible Russian market for a long time. And in the fall of 2007, Starbucks coffee shops appeared in Moscow (in one large shopping center). Very quickly, the residents of the capital appreciated this institution, and it was decided to open several more branches.
In 2012, Starbucks was already talked about in the northern capital - St. Petersburg. Lovers rush from everywhere to Primorsky Prospekt (to the shopping center)fragrant drink, drink it and praise it.
99 coffee shops are open in Russia today. Of these, 71 - in the capital, ten - in St. Petersburg. They are also available in Sochi, Yekaterinburg, Rostov-on-Don and other cities.
The chips do their thing
Those who have visited these establishments never cease to be amazed at the marketing art of the company's leaders. And here everything is involved in the complex.
Impressive company biography. It reflects the long journey from when Starbucks first appeared in Washington state, from a tiny store to the world's largest business empire.
Fans love to visit these establishments not only because of the excellent quality of the drinks, but also because of the incredibly inviting atmosphere. So, the interior of the very first coffee shop has hardly changed in 40 years. Traditions are kept here. And customers enjoy their coffee like they're in a kind of Starbucks museum.
Here's another example. In all the coffee shops of the world, the same melody plays at the same time. And a corrugated cardboard ring is pulled on top of a paper cup: this allows customers not to burn their hands.
And what is the richest menu! This is coffee of different types (including seasonal). There are also many syrups, teas, light salads and, of course, a huge number of desserts.
Let's not forget about the famous thermal mugs, which can be purchased as a souvenir along with branded cups and glasses.
Care for the environment
A few years ago, the companylaunched a program called Land for Your Garden. The leaders of the empire decided that their business should be environmentally friendly. The spent coffee grounds were sold to everyone who had their own farm. After all, it can be used for compost.
Then Starbucks took another step worthy of emulation. The company began producing paper napkins and smaller trash bags. This approach entails saving natural resources.
The next stage is the processing of waste from our own production. In the manufacture of cups for drinks, they began to use part of recycled paper - only 10 percent. Someone will say that this is very small. Nevertheless, according to the results of the work, Starbucks was awarded the National Prize for such an idea.
Never stand still
You can't blame the Starbucks coffee shops for their conservatism and unwillingness to change something. So, every year, the company pleases us with another innovation.
So, in 2008, the line was launched - Skinny (translated as "skinny"). Clients were offered unsweetened (without sugar) and low-calorie drinks - based on skimmed milk. Everyone could order what they wanted from a selection of sweet natural products - brown sugar, honey or syrup.
In 2009, customers were offered another innovation - coffee, but in bags. Moreover, its quality was so high that many people could not understand: is it an instant drink or freshly brewed?
After a while, visitors were surprised again with a unique innovation. This timeit was the maximum size cup, 31 ounces.
After some time, the company again delighted its regular customers, this time with an interesting car. She made her own coffee. It was packed in thin plastic cups along with milk for latte.
In 2012, the menu of Starbucks coffee shops was replenished with ice-cold drinks-fresheners. They contain an extract from green beans (arabica). They also include fruit flavors, and, of course, caffeine. This product has become widely known. People liked its “strong flavor – no coffee aroma.”
In 2013, a new era begins - selling through Twitter mobile platforms. And a year later, the production of its own line of carbonated drinks, so to speak, "hand-made", was launched. They can be found on sale under the name Fizzio.
Leaders in everything and always
In 2013, Starbucks was named one of the firms and organizations recognized as the best employers in the world. Fortune magazine included the coffee company in the honorary list of the top 100 enterprises.
The organization has achieved such success thanks to a very thoughtful and fair system of remuneration. First, the publication noted allowances for overtime. Secondly, the fact of a constant increase in wages, regardless of the state of the world economy. Every Starbucks employee can really build a successful career in this company and go from an ordinary bartender to a top manager.
