The Starbucks Story
Our story began in 1971. Back then we were a roaster and retailer of whole bean and ground coffee, tea and spices with a single store in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Today, we are privileged to connect with millions of customers every day in 76 markets.
Every day, we go to work hoping to do two things: share great coffee with our friends and help make the world a little better. It was true when the first Starbucks opened in 1971 and it’s just as true today.
Back then, the company was a single store in Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market. From just a narrow storefront, Starbucks offered some of the world’s finest fresh-roasted whole bean coffees. The name, inspired by Moby Dick, evoked the romance of the high seas and the seafaring tradition of the early coffee traders.
In 1981, Howard Schultz (Starbucks chairman, president and chief executive officer) first walked into a Starbucks store. From his first cup of Sumatra, Howard was drawn into Starbucks and joined a year later.
The following year, in 1983, Howard traveled to Italy and became captivated with Italian coffee bars and the romance of the coffee experience. He had a vision to bring the Italian coffeehouse tradition back to the United States. A place for conversation and a sense of community. A third place between work and home. He left Starbucks for a short period of time to start his own Il Giornale coffeehouses and returned in August 1987 to purchase Starbucks with the help of local investors.
From the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company. One that not only celebrated coffee and the rich tradition, but that also brought a feeling of connection.
Our mission: to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup, and one neighbourhood at a time.
Today, with stores in more than 75 markets, Starbucks is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. And with every cup, we strive to bring both our heritage and an exceptional experience to life.
Starbucks in Australia
Starbucks opened the doors to its first store in Australia in July 2000 in Sydney’s CBD. To date, Starbucks Australia has a growing number of coffee houses in Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Melbourne.
Starbucks coffee houses offer more than the finest coffee sourced from across the globe. Friendly people, great music and a comfortable upbeat meeting place create the famous Starbucks Experience.
The layout and atmosphere of Starbucks stores is specifically designed to be cosy and intimate, while at the same time providing people with their own personal space to use as they wish. The combination of armchairs, coffee tables and chairs, bars and stools and community tables means that there is something for everyone.
Those looking for peace and quiet away from home or the office can relax and linger in comfortable surroundings and escape into a book. For those looking for an intimate place to meet friends, you can huddle around a coffee table and chat over a mug of coffee - just as they would in their own home.
Check the store locator to find your nearest Starbucks store.
Where is the Head Office for Starbucks in Australia?
Our Head Office is located in Richmond, Victoria. We call this office the 'Starbucks Support Centre' as we are committed to supporting our stores across the country. If you have any comments you would like to share with us or have an enquiry, please find our address, phone number and e-mail address on the contact us page.