Starbucks





Starbucks is a large multinational chain of gourmet coffee shops, often
serving desserts and serving as a center for socializing and intellectual
discussion, particularly among students and young urban professionals.

The first Starbucks opened in Seattle, Washington in 1971. At IPO in 1992,
there were 165 stores. Starbucks increased its number of stores by 150 in
one day with the purchase of Seattle's Best Coffee and Torrefazione Italia
from AFC Enterprises in April 2003. As of May 2003, there were more than
6,400 locations. This rapid proliferation of outlets has been the subject of
much comment and occasional parody, for instance in the Austin Powers films,
The Simpsons, and South Park. Starbucks' success has not always been
replicated around the world, though--it has found the going tough in areas
where coffee shops and restaurants already serve a variety of high-quality coffees.

Also, Starbucks is known for having great employee benefits, such as
part-time health benefits, and stock options.

Starbucks offers 'fair trade coffee', where the customer has the opportunity
to buy coffee that does not exploit poor countries.