The biography of the company is its success story, a clear example of how to build life and work. Confucius wrote: "Choose a job for your liking, and you will not have to work a single day in your life." Once upon a time, three friends who adore coffee did just that. They turned their hobby into a profession. The buddies did not have any specific business concept. What they did can be called creativity rather than strategy. And, nevertheless, the whole world soon learned about the coffee house under the original name “Starbucks”.
How it all began
So, three young people (two history and English teachers and a writer), who were familiar from their studies at the university, came up with one idea. Who initiated it - Jerry Baldwin, Gordon Bowker or Zev Sigl - does not matter. Since everyone loved coffee, the idea was simple: to open a store selling drinks in grains. But money was needed for this. The guys threw 1350 dollars each. Yes, they took five thousand. This was enough for the shop to open its doors for everyone on September 30, 1971.
You ask, in what state did Starbucks coffee houses appear? We answer: this is Washington, the city of Seattle.
And one moment. Enthusiasts were inspired by Alfred Pete, an entrepreneur who somehow roasted grains in a special way and taught the guys that. And they fired up plans to sell coffee in a secret recipe.
What do you call a yacht ...
Seattle is the largest center in the northwestern United States and a large seaport. So, thinking about the name of their future brainchild - the Starbucks coffee shop, the founders settled on the name of the assistant captain of the whaling vessel from the famous Moby Dick book. His name was Starbucks.
Conjured and over the logo. We decided to take an image of a siren (mermaid). The color of the picture was preferred brown. In the late 80s and early 90s it was changed to green. The tail was slightly shortened. The girl’s chest was hidden behind her hair flying in the wind. Added between the words asterisks.
And last, in the center is the face of the mermaid. The green rim disappeared, the stars "went out". The color of the logo has become much lighter.
So, Starbucks coffee houses appeared on the streets of the city. At first, the company only sold coffee beans in Seattle, but they did not make the drink here. Only a little. Were given to try for advertising purposes, and this played a role.
The friends learned from A. Pete the technique of the new business and expanded. By 1981, five stores were already operating. There was also a mini-coffee roasting factory and a department that supplied its products to local bars and restaurants.
And then the network went beyond Seattle. Branches appeared in Chicago and Vancouver.
The next step was to start mail order trading. A catalog has been compiled for this. Now you know in what state Starbucks coffee houses appeared. And soon, new establishments opened at 33 locations in different parts of the United States. And all thanks to the printed register.
An incredible fact: in the 90s, Starbucks opened new stores. And it happened almost every working day! The company managed to maintain such a frantic pace until the onset of the 2000s.
Today, for Americans, there is no question of what staff the Starbucks coffee shops are in. Where can I enjoy an excellent coffee maker? 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 United States - in Tokyo (Japan). Following the land of the rising sun, 56 points were opened in the UK. Very soon, Starbucks coffee shops appeared in Mexico. Now there are already 250 of them, in Mexico City alone - about a hundred establishments.
Today, the Starbucks coffee shop chain is very large. You will not list all addresses. You can name only the countries where these institutions are available, and some of them. 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 for international flights. In some places, these establishments are located in hotels, for example, in South Africa.
But this is far from the end! Last 2014, Starbucks donated six of its Colombian coffee houses 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
And in Disneyland, and in different countries you will meet the institution “Starbucks”. The coming year 2015 has pleased many coffee lovers very much. And here's why: the restless Starbucks company now invites you to drink a flavored drink on the Channel Islands.
Moreover, zealous coffee makers managed to adapt even a ship to their goals! This happened in 2010. The first store was located on board the Allure of the Seas cruise ship, built at shipyards in Finland. It is the second largest in the world in size.
And in Russia too
The company's managers have long glanced towards the inexhaustible market of Russia. And in the fall of 2007, the same Starbucks coffee shops appeared in Moscow (in one large shopping center). Very quickly, 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. Fans of a fragrant drink rush to Primorsky Prospekt (to the shopping center) , drink it and praise it.
99 coffee houses operate today in Russia. Of these, 71 - in the capital, ten - in St. Petersburg. They are also in Sochi, Yekaterinburg, Rostov-on-Don and other cities.
Chips do their thing
Those who visited these establishments do not cease to be amazed at the marketing art of company executives. And here everything is involved in the complex.
The biography of the company is impressive. It reflects a long way from the moment Starbucks coffee shops 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 drinks, but also because of the incredibly attractive atmosphere. So, the interior of the very first coffee house has not changed much in 40 years. Traditions are preserved here. And customers enjoy coffee, as if they are in a kind of Starbucks museum.
Here is another example. In all the coffee houses of the world, the same melody plays simultaneously. 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 a coffee of different types (including seasonal). There are many syrups, teas, light salads and, of course, a huge number of desserts.
Do not forget about the famous thermomugs, which can be purchased as a souvenir along with branded cups and glasses.
Caring for the environment
A few years ago, the company launched a program called "Land for Your Garden." The leaders of the empire decided that their business should be environmentally friendly. Spent coffee grounds were sold to everyone who has their own farm. After all, it can be used for compost.
Then Starbucks took another step worthy of imitation. The company began producing smaller paper napkins and trash bags. This approach entails the saving of natural resources.
The next stage is the processing of domestic waste . In the manufacture of cups for drinks, part of the recycled paper began to be used - only 10 percent. Someone will say that this is very small. Nevertheless, based on the results of the work, Starbucks was awarded the National Prize for such an idea.
Never stand still
It is impossible to reproach in any way for conservatism and unwillingness to change something at Starbucks coffee shop. So, no matter the year, the company pleases us with another innovation.
So, in 2008, a line was launched - Skinny (translated “skinny”). Customers were offered unsweetened (sugar-free) and low-calorie drinks - skimmed milk. Everyone could order what they want from a set of sweet natural products - brown sugar, honey or syrup.
In 2009, customers were offered another innovation - this is coffee, but in bags. Moreover, its quality was so high that many people could not understand: is it a drink soluble or freshly brewed?
Over time, visitors were again surprised by a unique innovation. This time it was a cup of maximum size - a volume of 31 ounces.
After some time, the company again pleased its regular customers, this time with an interesting machine. She gave out coffee herself. It was packed in glasses of thin plastic, along with milk - for latte.
In 2012, the Starbucks coffee house menu was replenished with ice refreshments. They contain an extract from green beans (arabica). They also include fruit flavors, and, of course, caffeine. These products have become widely known. People liked her "strong taste - without the aroma of coffee."
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, “handmade” began to work. They can be found on sale under the name Fizzio.
Leaders in everything and always
In 2013, Starbucks became one of those firms and organizations that have been recognized as the best employers in the world. Fortune magazine has included the coffee company in the honorary list of one hundred leading enterprises.
The organization achieved such successes thanks to a very thoughtful and fair wage system. Firstly, the publication noted overtime allowances. Secondly, the fact of constant growth of wages regardless of the state of the world economy. Every Starbucks employee can really build a successful career in this company and go from a regular bartender to a top manager.