Starbucks Is the Undisputed King

In the world of coffee, Starbucks is the undisputed king. With locations in more than fifty countries around the globe, their name has become synonymous with fresh brewed coffee and they have introduced coffee lovers to an entirely different way of ordering their favorite drinks. These days, it is not uncommon to overhear coffee orders which sound as if they are in a different language. For the Starbucks newbie, this can be confusing. For the aficionado, however, this is part of what makes Starbucks great.

Originally started as a single store in 1971, Starbucks began in the historic Pike Place Market area of Seattle. They began with a simple concept-serve fresh-roasted coffee with a personal touch. By the 1980's, under the direction of Howard Schultz as their new head of marketing, they began to transform their stores into community gathering places, much like the coffee houses found throughout Italy.

The idea took off and Starbucks began expanding their menu to feature a variety of drinks unfamiliar to most Americans, The novelty of the drinks, the quality of the coffee, and the welcoming atmosphere of the stores all helped Starbucks to become a household name by 1990.

In 1992, the company went public and started acquiring smaller coffee and tea companies around the world. They began selling pastries and ready-to-eat sandwiches, as well as offering free wireless internet service in their stores. This only increased their appeal, and Starbucks became a popular meeting place as well as a hangout for students, writers, and business travelers.