In the world of coffee, Starbucks is the undisputed king. With locations in over fifty countries around the world, his name has become synonymous with freshly brewed coffee and has introduced coffee lovers to an entirely different way to order their favorite beverages. These days, it’s not uncommon to hear coffee orders that sound like they’re in a different language. For the Starbucks newbie, this can be confusing. To the aficionado, though, this is part of what makes Starbucks great.

Originally started as a single store in 1971, Starbucks began in the historic Pike Place Market area of ​​Seattle. They started with a simple concept: serve freshly roasted coffee with a personal touch. In the 1980s, under Howard Schultz as their new chief marketing officer, they began transforming their stores into community gathering places, much like the coffee shops found throughout Italy.

The idea took off, and Starbucks began expanding its menu to include a variety of beverages unknown to most Americans. The novelty of the beverages, the quality of the coffee, and the welcoming atmosphere of the stores helped make Starbucks a household name in 1990.

In 1992, the company went public and began acquiring smaller coffee and tea companies around the world. They started by selling ready-to-eat cakes and sandwiches, as well as offering free wireless internet service in their stores. This only increased its appeal, and Starbucks became a popular meeting place, as well as a hangout for students, writers, and business travelers.

Today, Starbucks has more than 15,000 stores and is the world’s leading coffee retailer. They continue to focus on quality coffee and a friendly atmosphere, and continue to set trends around the world.