What is the name of the world's largest coffeehouse chain?

The world’s largest coffeehouse chain is Starbucks.

Starbucks began in 1971 at Seattle’s Pike Place Market, founded by Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker. The original business primarily sold roasted coffee beans and equipment rather than operating like the modern café chain most customers know today.

Howard Schultz helped transform Starbucks by promoting the Italian-style espresso-bar experience in the United States. After joining the company, he acquired Starbucks in 1987 and expanded its cafés, beverage menu, and recognizable store culture. The company later grew internationally through a combination of company-operated and licensed locations.

Starbucks is sometimes confused with the largest coffee producer or the largest restaurant company, which are different measurements. “Largest coffeehouse chain” refers to its global network of coffee-focused stores. Its name comes from Starbuck, a character in Herman Melville’s novel Moby-Dick, while the logo features a stylized siren.