Starbucks was founded in Seattle in 1971 as a store selling coffee beans and equipment.
The first Starbucks opened at Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Founders Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker initially focused on roasted coffee beans, tea, spices, and equipment rather than the espresso-focused café model associated with the company today.
Howard Schultz joined the company later and helped shape its café strategy after being influenced by coffeehouse culture in Italy. Starbucks then expanded dramatically through company-operated stores, licensed locations, and selected franchise-style arrangements in different markets.
A common mix-up is treating Starbucks as a conventional franchise everywhere. Its ownership and licensing structure varies by market, and many U.S. stores are company-operated. The 1971 fact concerns the founding of the original Seattle coffee retailer.