Are you looking for interesting Starbucks facts?
You’re in the right place!
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By Lilian.
Published on 2022.08.09
For most coffee lovers, when they walk in a Starbucks outlet, they’re thinking nothing more than their own coffee order.
But there’s so much more to know.
Starbucks Facts and Statistics You Never Knew About
Starbucks was the No. 1 Brand to Reach 10 Million Facebook Likes
According to Ad Week, a leading news source on brand marketing around the world, Starbucks reached the 10 million likes milestone on Facebook back in 2010.
Today, they have over 36 million followers!
Starbucks has its Own Coffee Farm in Costa Rica
Starbucks bought a 240-hectare coffee farm in Costa Rica back in 2013. They call it Hacienda Alsacia.
Not only do they farm their own coffee here, but they also have a research and development facility on this site.
The most interesting thing is that this coffee farm is open for all coffee lovers who’d love to go on a virtual tour!
Starbucks Purchases Coffee from 400,000 Coffee Farmers Around the World
According to Starbucks, they buy around 3% of the world’s coffee, which is about 800 million Pounds, sourced from over 400,000 coffee farmers.
The farmers are spread around 30 countries in the world!
The Coffee Masters Come in Black Aprons
Ever wondered why some baristas at Starbucks wear green, orange, brown and red aprons and others wear black aprons?
Well, I have the secret!
Starbucks revealed that the black aprons are reserved only for the masters!
Having taken the Coffee Master Program, these baristas are the supreme coffee masters, with top-notch experience in all there is to know about coffee!
Starbucks Founders Were Not Coffee Aficionados
Yes, you read that right. The founders of the most popular coffeehouse were not coffee lovers…
From Starbucks website, you’ll be surprised that Starbucks was actually founded by a writer, a History teacher and an English teacher!
It was only until the CEO Howard Schulz stepped in in the 1980s when they introduced drinks to the Starbucks chain.
Previously, Starbucks only retailed coffee beans.
There are Over 33,000 Starbucks Cafes in the World
According to Statista, as of 2021, there were 33,833 Starbucks stores in the world, spread around 80 countries.
A little surprise here: the number of stores outside the US – Starbucks’ home country – are more than those in the US!
Only 15,444 are in the US while the remaining 18,389 are outside the US!
There’s 1 Starbucks Outlet per 5.6 Blocks in Manhattan
Manhattan is NYC’s most densely populated borough.
Starbucks has ensured all the people here can enjoy their favorite cup of coffee with ease.
Aleksey Bilogur, a student from The City University of New York, mentions that if you were to be randomly placed anywhere in Manhattan, you’ll find a Starbucks outlet within 1,335ft!
Starbucks has Customized Coffee Mugs for Every City
As you visit different cities around the world, visit their Starbucks outlet for a customized “You Are Here” mug to keep for memories!
No two cities have the same design, and you can only get a mug at their respective location.
Interesting, right?
Heard About a Special Starbucks for the CIA? Yes, it’s real!
Inside the CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia, they have a Starbucks that’s solely for CIA employees.
The receipts call it “Store Number 1”, and it’s actually one of the busiest Starbucks outlets in the US.
The inside looks like any other Starbucks outlet, but you can’t just walk in and order a drink.
Nor can you find it on Google Maps!
In fact, according to an article posted on The Washington Post, even the baristas here are covert!
The baristas don’t ask for customer names to put on the coffee mugs.
What’s more, there aren’t any rewards cards here!
Starbucks Will Grind their Beans for You, Free!
Worried that you have no coffee grinder for your beans? Cut the slack and get Starbucks beans!
They’ll grind them for you, free of charge!
Obviously not for coffee beans from other roasters. Come on, that’s treason!
Starbucks Employees Each Get a Pound of Coffee Every Week
Yes, Starbucks asserts that they’re committed to empowering their baristas to live life well by giving them different benefits.
And one of them is getting them a free bag of coffee beans every week!
When it’s not a coffee bag, it’s other products such as a box of the signature Tazo Tea every week!
Don’t forget about the in-store discount!
Have you Heard About Starbucks’ 10-Minute Rule?
This is all about their opening and closing times.
In case you arrive 10 minutes earlier than their opening time, the baristas are allowed to serve you!
Same case applies to when you walk into your favorite Starbucks outlet 10 minutes after their official closing time!
Monaco Has the Lowest Starbucks Stores to Person Ratio in the World!
Wondering which country has the greatest number of Starbucks cafes per million residents?
It’s not the US.
The US comes second.
A country neighboring France and Italy on the Northern Coast of the Mediterranean Sea called Monaco takes the day!
According to Silver Door, you’ll find 52 Cafes for a million residents in Monaco, compared to 3 Starbucks Cafes for 56 Million residents in South Africa!
Starbucks Has Secret Outlets!
Yes, you read that right. SECRET SHOPS.
Starbucks has some secret shops – secret in that they’re inspired by Starbucks, but they don’t carry the name.
They’re called Stealth Starbucks.
They’re located in metropolitan areas to conduct market research on how consumers react to new flavors.
These shops sell stuff like beer, wine, gourmet cheese plates that do not appear on ordinary Starbucks menus and that Starbucks cannot produce on a large scale.
A good example is Roy Street Coffee & Tea on Capitol Hill.
Now that we have the Starbucks facts right, let’s check out what’s so unique about Starbucks.
What Makes Starbucks Unique? An Environmentally-Friendly Culture It Is!
Starbucks has been at the forefront adopting environmental-friendly strategies.
For instance, they’re slowly eliminating single use cups and straws. Customers get a 10-cent incentive when they bring their own reusable cup.
According to CNBC, Starbucks promises to accept reusable cups for every single order, even drive-thru orders, by 2023!
What’s more, Michelle Burns, a coffee leader at Starbucks, explains that the company is focused on reducing the carbon and water footprints from the farm.
They’re investing in ecological wet coffee mills to reduce 80% water consumption.
These are just but a few strategies that affirm Starbucks commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation.
Finally, some people complain that Starbucks coffee is too milky. Is this true?
Does Starbucks Sell More Milk Than Coffee?
It may come as a surprise to many that Starbucks drinks are not actually whole milk.
According to Robert Nguyen, they’re just about 2% milk.
CBS News confirms that Starbucks actually shifted to 2% milk for all Espresso drinks in the US and Canada back in 2007.
However, this doesn’t mean you can’t order your Cappuccino with whole milk.
That choice is all yours!
Photos by jp26jp and Adrianna Calvo
