Starbucks Financial AnalysisCompany OverviewStarbucks is the largest specialty coffee retailer in the world, Starbucks has more than 16,000 stores in more than 35 countries. Starbucks owns more than 8,500 stores, while licensees and franchisees operate more than 6,500 units worldwide, primarily in malls and airports. The outlets offer coffee drinks and food products such as pastries and sweets, as well as roasted beans, coffee accessories, teas and a line of compact discs. The company also owns the Seattle's Best Coffee and Torrefazione Italia coffee brands. Additionally, Starbucks markets its coffee through grocery stores and licenses its brand for other food and beverage products. Starbucks Corporation was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. (Bramhall)Company HistoryThe history of Starbucks coffee begins in Seattle in 1971, when the first Starbucks opened in Pike Place Market, the oldest farmers' market in Seattle and the nation. At that time the company was a local coffee roaster. This remained their primary business until 1982, when Howard Schulz joined the company. He was the new marketing executive and immediately began convincing more and more local cafes, upscale restaurants and hotels to purchase Starbucks coffee. The turning point for the company and the beginning of the history of coffee should take place a year later, when Schulz traveled through Italy. He was inspired by the tradition of Italian bars to serve freshly brewed espresso and cappuccino. He convinced the founders of Starbucks to give his idea a chance, and in 1985 he opened the first coffee shop in Seattle, called Il Giornale. (Wilson)The new idea worked and Il Giornale was a success. But Schulz aimed higher. He found local investors and purchased Starbucks in 1987 for $3.8 million. This started the expansion and that same year he opened new cafes in Chicago and even Vancouver, Canada. The original 17 Starbucks cafes were established. In 1992 the company went public and the shares were now publicly traded on the NASDAQ (SBUX). At this moment Starbucks has approx. 165 coffees. On March 7, 2001, Starbucks moved to Europe permanently and opened its first cafe in the Old World: Zurich, Switzerland. Today the company has more than 16,000 coffee shops in more than 35 countries. (Wilson) Key Products and Services Starbucks Corporation engages in the purchasing, roasting and selling of whole bean coffee throughout the world. It offers brewed coffees, Italian-style espresso drinks, cold blended drinks, various complementary food products, coffee-related accessories and equipment, a selection of premium teas, and a line of compact discs, through its retail stores.