Starbucks Corporation

Starbucks was founded as a whole bean coffee roaster in Seattle in 1971, but the brand truly came into its own in the 1980s as a specialty coffee and espresso beverage retailer. Today Starbucks operates more than 20,000 retail stores across 64 countries, representing the core Starbucks brand as well as Teavana and Seattle’s Best Coffee. Starbucks prides itself on treating its employees with respect and dignity, launching such landmark programs as comprehensive healthcare, tuition assistance, and equity options for part-time and full-time employees.