In the early 1980s, Howard Schultz predicted that consumers would support a new type of "coffee bar," serving specialty coffee and espresso products. Under his leadership, Starbucks grew from a homey little coffee shop in Seattle into a multimillion dollar corporation. In its early years, the company focused on domestic growth, infrastructure, and product development. In 1992, the company first went public, raising $29 million for expansion. A secondary offering in late 1994 netted around $180 million. Since going public, Starbucks has raised almost $500 million.

Speaking in 2000, Schultz said, "Five years ago our strategic intent was to build the leading brand of specialty coffee in North America. Five years later we have fulfilled that promise. And our strategic objectives now are much different, and that is to maintain our leadership position in North America and to build an enduring global band around the world."

Today, Starbucks grows by more than 4 stores and 200 employees a day. In September 2005, the company opened its 10,000th store, with plans to eventually have 30,000 stores worldwide (15,000 in the United States and 15,000 internationally). As of February 2005, Starbucks was in 35 countries. By May 2005, Starbucks had 551 shops in Japan, and by September 2005, the company had 143 stores in 14 cities throughout China. Schultz firmly believes that China will eventually become the second largest market in the world for Starbucks, second to North America.

Sources: Karyn Stauss, "Howard Schultz: Starbucks' CEO Serves a Blend of Community, Employee Commitment," Nation's Restaurant News, January 2000, pp. 162–63; Gretchen Weber, "Preserving the Counter Culture," Workforce Management, February 2005, pp. 28–33; "Starbucks Corp.: Japanese Operator's Profit More Than Doubled in Year," Wall Street Journal, May 20, 2005, p. 1; and Monica Soto Ouchi, "Starbucks in China: Q&A with Chairman Howard Schultz," Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, October 9, 2005, p. 1.