Who is the owner of the Starbucks company?

If you’re like most people, you probably assume that Howard Schultz is the owner of Starbucks. After all, he was the CEO who led the company to its current success and expanded it from a small coffee shop in Seattle to a global powerhouse with over 30,000 stores worldwide.

But what if I told you that there’s more to the story? That the ownership of Starbucks is actually a bit more complicated than you might think? In this article, we’ll explore the history of Starbucks and its current ownership structure, as well as the role that Howard Schultz played in shaping the company.

History of Starbucks

Starbucks was founded in 1971 by Jerry Baldwin, Gordon Bowker, and Zev Siegel in Seattle, Washington. The trio had a vision to create a coffee shop that would be more than just a place to grab a cup of coffee. They wanted it to be a community hub where people could come together to work, socialize, and enjoy great coffee.

Their idea caught on, and Starbucks quickly became a local favorite in Seattle. But it wasn’t until 1987 that the company really took off when Howard Schultz bought the company from the original founders for just $4 million. At the time, many people thought he was crazy, but Schultz had a vision for Starbucks that went far beyond what the founders had envisioned.

Expansion and Success

Under Schultz’s leadership, Starbucks began to expand rapidly. He opened new stores in other cities and countries, introduced new products like lattes and frappuccinos, and transformed the company into a global powerhouse with over 30,000 stores worldwide.

Schultz’s success was due in large part to his focus on creating a unique experience for customers. He believed that every Starbucks store should be more than just a place to buy coffee; it should be a welcoming and comfortable space where people could come together to work, socialize, and enjoy great coffee.

Ownership Structure

So who actually owns Starbucks? While Howard Schultz is often credited with turning the company around and expanding it into a global powerhouse, he no longer owns the company outright. In fact, in 2018, Starbucks announced that it would be repurchasing shares of stock from its shareholders, effectively making the company publicly traded once again.

However, Schultz still has a significant amount of control over the company through his ownership of Starbucks Corporation, which owns and operates the majority of Starbucks’ stores outside of North America. He also serves as chairman of the board at Starbucks and continues to play a key role in shaping the company’s future.

The Role of Howard Schultz

So what was Howard Schultz’s role in shaping Starbucks into the global powerhouse it is today? There’s no denying that he played a significant role in turning the company around and expanding it into a global brand. But his impact went far beyond just the financial success of the company.

Under Schultz’s leadership, Starbucks became more than just a coffee shop; it became a community hub where people could come together to work, socialize, and enjoy great coffee. He created a unique experience for customers that set Starbucks apart from its competitors and helped to establish the company as a cultural icon.

Schultz also played a key role in shaping the company’s values and culture. He emphasized the importance of treating employees well, providing them with opportunities for growth and development, and giving back to the community.