Starbucks, founded in 1971, is the world’s #1 specialty coffee retailer with more than
18,850 coffee shops in 40 countries. It operates approximately 8,800 of its shops, while licenses
and franchises operate the remaining stores. The company also owns Seattle’s Best Coffee and
Torrefazione Italia coffee brands. Starbucks offers a variety of food items, as well as roasted
beans, coffee accessories, and teas and also markets its coffee through grocery stores and
branded food and beverage products.