Step 1
Go online to the Starbucks website under the "Share Planet" tab.
Step 2
Download the Supplier Social Responsibility Standards paper from the Starbucks "Ethical Suppliers & Products" section of the website. Read about the corporate culture and determine whether your food products fit into the Starbucks mission and standards.
Related Reading: How to Become a Book Supplier to an Online Bookstore
Step 3
Determine what your supply capabilities are. Some suppliers of sandwiches and fresh food items are regional or local while major chains have national partnership opportunities.
Step 4
Go into your local Starbucks and talk to the manager about food suppliers and general business in the area. Explain that you are gathering information to write a proposal to become a supplier. Bring a sample or two if it is feasible to do so. Ask the manager for contact information to the regional or national director for suppliers.
Step 5
Get certified by the Small Business Administration, the National Women Business Owners Corporation, the National Minority Supplier Development Council or the Women's Business Enterprise National Council. Starbucks has a Supplier Diversity Program that might increase your chances of becoming a supplier. Create a Diversity Profile on the Sourcing Diversity section of the Starbucks website.
Step 6
Write a proposal that describes who you are, what you offer and the quantities and time lines by which you can deliver food supplies. Discuss other products that Starbucks offers and describe how your products complement what is already in outlets. Include your Diversity Profile information if applicable.
Step 7
Write an employee standards for safe and healthy work environment that is posted in your production plant. Make sure your standards meet the minimum state and federal standards as well as the specific Starbucks standards. Starbucks use a proprietary computation system called Coffee and Farmers Equity, referred to as CAFE that scores suppliers on ethical standards. Higher scores lead to preferred supplier status.
Step 8
Call the director for suppliers and arrange a meeting. Bring a copy of your proposal and your business practices and employee standards, as well as samples.
Step 9
Sign any contracts and deliver the goods as promised.