Inspired by Italy, reimagined in Seattle
Our story began in 1971 along the cobblestone streets of Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market. It was here where Starbucks first opened its doors with bins of fresh-roasted whole bean coffee from around the world. Our name was inspired by the classic tale “Moby-Dick,” evoking the seafaring tradition of the early coffee traders. Our logo, a twin-tailed siren who beckoned customers to experience our coffee.
Our next chapter began 12 years later when Howard Schultz first experienced Italy’s cafés on a trip to Milan. He returned to Seattle inspired to bring the warmth and artistry of Italian coffee culture to Starbucks. In 1987 we became a coffeehouse, dedicated to serving exceptional coffee with passion and care.
Over the decades that followed, Starbucks would grow to welcome millions of customers each week and become a part of the fabric of neighborhoods all around the world, making each day a little brighter by bringing people together over coffee.
In everything we do, we are always dedicated to our mission:
To be the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world, inspiring and nurturing the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time.
Coffee & Craft
It takes many hands to craft the perfect cup of coffee – from the farmers who tend to the ripe red coffee cherries, to the master roasters who coax the best from every bean to the barista who serves it with care. We are committed to the highest standards of quality and service, embracing our heritage while innovating to create new experiences to savor.
Through our passion, creativity, knowledge and commitment to the people who grow our coffee, we consistently deliver the highest quality and best-tasting coffee. We create a warm and inviting environment that fosters human connections. We take pride in conducting business responsibly and supporting communities where we do business, from bean to cup.
People & Impact
We like to say that we are not in the coffee business serving people, but in the people business serving coffee. Our partners (employees) are at the heart of the Starbucks experience. We are committed to making our partners proud and investing in their health, well-being and success and fostering a culture of belonging. The green apron is a symbol of our dedication to doing right by the people who make our success possible.
We also believe in giving back to the neighborhoods we serve — whether it’s helping relieve hunger or offering a welcoming place to gather — and to the world we share, from developing disease-resistant coffee trees for farmers to offering customers more sustainable choices. The Starbucks Foundation furthers this impact by supporting communities through grants to nonprofit organizations around the globe.